News & Alerts

Cape Horn now offers free Emergency Text Alerts and Email Notifications with paperless billing. Many members have already signed up for this service. However, we are finding many instances where the texts and emails are not being opened.

Text Alerts
Text alerts arrive from the phone number 833-373-0372. You might see this as spam and delete or block it. It is suggested that you add this number to your contacts and assign it a name of ‘Cape Horn Text’ so future texts will have that name attached and you will recognize the sender. If you are not receiving the text alerts and have signed up for them, you can contact the website team from the ‘contact’ page. Texts are sent from a third party and Cape Horn does not receive replies.

Email Notices
Email notices arrive from "Cape Horn", but your email provider may not recognize ‘Cape Horn’ as a regular sender, and may put that email in your SPAM, or Junk, or UPDATES folder. If you expect to receive an email from Cape Horn and have not, please check your “All Mail” folder. If you find it, open the email and click on the options, move it to your primary folder and mark it as ‘Not Spam’. This should allow all future emails from Cape Horn to go to your primary folder.

We will be sending out a ‘Welcome’ text and email notice to all members who have signed up, within the next 24 hours. If you do not receive this message by end of day, December 19, 2024, please check all your folders, check for blocked texts and emails, and finally, check the email address and phone number on your account on the website to be sure your texts and emails are going to the right place. If all else fails, you can contact the website support at the Contact page on the website.

Recently the Attorney Generals office sent notice to Cape Horn to respond to a complaint filed by <cape horn resident> on Cape Horn Maint Co.. After the attorney for the Cape responded, the office of the A.G. closed the case without further action. The legal fees to respond to the complaint were $3,196 which was paid by the Cape. It should be pointed out that Cape Horn expenses are the expenses of the individual property owners of Cape Horn not the board and not the corporation. The board does get legal advice on all rules, regulations, policies and fees to be sure we are in full compliance with WA State RCW codes. It is important to note that all expenses of Cape Horn are paid from the water assessments paid by all members.

As a group of over 300 home and property owners in Cape Horn, there are bound to be some differences of opinion, including concerns and complaints over various issues on how the community is run and governed. The Board members are fellow home owners in our community and volunteer to try to make good decisions based on the good of all, while following the laws of Washington State and Skagit County.

We welcome and encourage any member who has ideas or questions to join us at the regular monthly meeting, held every second Saturday at 10:00 am at the Cape Horn office to listen to ongoing business decisions and make comments or ask questions. Become involved. If you are unable to be at the meeting, you can access the website to read the minutes of every meeting to learn what is going on. Minutes are posted on the “Documents” page of the Cape Horn website.

Additionally you have the option to sign up on the website to receive Text Alerts for any emergency news, such as flood warnings, water updates, dangerous animals, crime activity, etc. You can also sign up for Email notifications and paperless billing. This would send Cape Horn news to you directly by Email, including invoices. This gets information that is normally mailed to you, sent quickly directly to your email without the issues of lost or delayed paper mail.

We would also like to encourage members with concerns or complaints to call and discuss the matter with the board for resolution. It can be scheduled during a regular board meeting, or if a private matter the board can hold a closed meeting with the member.

We would like to remind everyone that we are all equal members of this community. The board members are just volunteer elected representatives that run daily business on behalf of all the members. We don’t make the laws, we do not benefit personally from our duties. We only try to enforce the rules and laws in place to benefit the community as a whole.

The AG office noted that all complaints including responses are a matter of public record and therefore available for review and copying per (WA State Public Records Act, RCW 42.56)

During the monthly board meeting today we were updated on the status of the generator repair. We were expecting the parts in December, but there has been a delay and now are expecting the parts in January. We do not have a specific date. We want to get this done as soon as possible, but are waiting on events out of our control. The parts are coming from the east coast, where manufacturing and supply has been disrupted by the series of hurricanes, and a backlog of needed parts in that area. Once the parts arrive we can schedule the installation and a notice will be posted online and also sent out directly to all members signed up for text alerts and/or email notices. Thank you for your patience... we are all living with this situation together and are working as best as we can to get it resolved.

This fall the board had some trees taken down at the community park on North Shore due to reports and concerns of dying trees and the threat of them blowing down during this seasons winter storms, posing a serious risk to people and property in the park.

After some complaints the board realized that more steps should have been taken before proceeding with the tree removal, including permits, Arborist evaluations and community notification. The board has since acquired the necessary permits and Arborist evaluations, and established new procedural guidelines to avoid any confusion in the future, unless the situation poses an 'imminent' risk or threat to persons and/or property.

Since that time Cape Horn has procured the proper permits and had the certified Arborist evaluation for the trees taken down this fall. A copy of that report has been posted on the Documents page. The result found that all trees that were taken down did have some degree of disease, was found to be not treatable and would have posed a dangerous threat in the future. Some trees were more advanced than others. Photos are included.

We welcome the community feedback on all Cape Horn matters. We continue to strive not only to improve and expand our ability to communicate directly with the members, but also to improve the boards policies and procedures in how to best serve the community, for the benefit of Cape Horn all members.

Freezing temps are coming! Be prepared for overnight freezing temperatures between November 27 and 29. That's Thanksgiving next week!

1) Protect your outdoor faucets and hoses by disconnecting and draining hoses. Cover faucets with faucet covers unless they are freeze-proof auto-draining type.
2) Protect indoor pipes and hoses by keeping indoor temps at least 45 degrees and open cabinet doors that have water pipes.
3) Protect outdoor pipes by enclosing pipes in a crawlspace, or wrap in insulation or wrap with heat tape. (Heat tape will only work while the power is on)
4) Protect RV water hoses by using a heated hose, or wrap with heat tape and insulation.
5) Protect RV tanks by draining, using 'tank heaters', or enclosing under you RV with walls and insulation.

Warning! If you drain your pipes, make sure you TURN OFF any water heaters first!

Additional freeze precautions...

1) Tend to tree branches that might ice up, break and fall causing further damage.
2) Clear out rain gutters. If rain gutters clog and rain water freezes, gutters could be damaged or fall.
3) Keep Ice Melt in your car and near your steps or driveway, to use on slippery ice.
4) Be prepared for power outages.
5) Stock up the pantry in case you can't get to the store for a week.
6) If you have a generator, check the gas, oil, battery now before you need it. If you are located in the floodway, attempt to raise your generator higher than the flood level to keep it safe and running.

Temperatures are forecast to go into 'freezing temps' next week, November 27-29. Be prepared! Letting faucets drip to avoid freezing does not work in colder temps. Avoid costly repairs by draining or insulating or heating your water pipes, hoses and fixtures.

Stay safe!

Weather Advisory issued by NWS Seattle WA

Blizzard conditions expected at or above elevations greater than 2500 ft. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 12 inches, with locally higher amounts over the highest peaks. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph.
Where: West Slopes North Cascades and Passes, West Slopes North Central Cascades and Passes, and West Slopes South Central Cascades and Passes.
When: From 4 PM Tuesday to 10 AM PST Wednesday.
Impacts: Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines.
Additional Details: Strong east winds and slightly warmer temperatures will cause snow levels to be closer to 3000 feet through the Cascade Passes. The greatest reductions in visibility will likely occur near and east of the Cascade Crest.
Summary: Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. Prepare for possible power outages.
Issued By
NWS Seattle WA

Cape Horn should not receive any snow that sticks. While we are not directly in the location of the passes, we may get some of the wind. There is no flood danger predicted at this time.

Please be prepared in case of loss of power and water outage, which can happen in high winds if trees fall on wires or cars hit poles.  We are still waiting on parts to get our generators working to keep the water pumps going during a power outage.

Source: National Weather Service; Seattle/Tacoma office. Winter weather advisory remains in effect from 5pm today (Sunday) to 11am Monday. 5 to 10 inches of snow expected in the passes. Plan on slippery road conditions locally.
Additionally, with any severe weather in our area, be prepared for power outages and water outages. We are waiting on parts to get the water pumps connected to the back up generators in the Cape, which are on back order due to the multiple hurricanes on the east coast. Until then please be prepared in your home for water outages when the power goes out. Charge your phones and batteries. Fill your tub, buckets or water containers to fill toilet tanks for flushing. Fill jugs or pitchers for drinking water. If you live in or have an RV, fill your fresh water tank so you can switch to tank water if needed.
There is no flood warning at this time, but you can watch flood levels from the "River Levels" link on the Community Page on the Cape Horn Website.

Sign up for Emergency Text Alerts for Cape Horn Members on the Cape Horn Website, on the Member Sign up Page, if you haven't already done so.

Skagit county has started removing the abandoned vehicles on Cape Horn Dr.

Great news! In our on-going effort to improve communications with all members, we are developing new options for all members and putting new procedures into place. All Cape Horn members can now sign up to get Text Alerts to get notified of water outages, water conditions, flood updates, and other important news concerning the members of the Cape. The same information will be posted on the website, but for those that want the information immediately and sent to their phone by text, sign up as a member on the website and subscribe to get text alerts. Its free!

Also you have the option to subscribe to Email Newsletters and paperless billing! No more lost or missing mail, get your news and statements quickly and securely right to your inbox, even when traveling out of town. Keep your documents safely stored in your email or print them out to file. Never lose your documents again! Simply sign up on the Cape Horn website and subscribe to Email news and paperless billing for free.

* You may unsubscribe at any time directly from the text you receive or the email you receive. Text and Email are two separate subscriptions, you can subscribe to both or either. For more information please check the INFO button on the home screen. All information available by text or email can also be found on the website. Only 'members' of cape horn (property owners) may sign up on the website and subscribe to text or email messaging. ** Text messages may incur fees depending on your cellular plan.

** Please check your SPAM or JUNK or PROMOTIONS folder when you receive your first email from Cape Horn. You must recognize the email sender "Cape Horn" as not spam and not promotional junk emails. After you do that, all future emails will go into your inbox.
Also, your text messages will be coming from phone number 1833730372. When you get your first text you should add Cape Horn Texts to your contacts using that phone #. Then future texts will come in identified as from "Cape Horn Texts".

Several vehicles and trailers have been abandoned on Cape Horn Drive. Skagit county has been notified.

Effective October 1st, 2024: Due to the closure of the glass recycling plant in Seattle, Skagit County transfer stations will no longer accept glass for recycling.

On Monday, September 23, 2024, representatives of the parties involved in upgrading the pump electrical systems in the Cape; Grundfos, Ackermann Electric, and two members of the Board of Directors, met at the pump-house to discuss actions to be taken to restore emergency generator power to the booster pumps. It had been hoped that an immediate fix would be possible; however, this turned out not to be feasible. In order to supply power to the pumps, the booster pump control box would have to be rewired which would void the Grundfos warranty and potentially add to the risk of pump hardware failure. It was determined that Ackerman Electric will prepare and submit a design solution as soon as possible. The Board of Directors is actively working with Ackermann Electric and Grundfos to install a non-temporary solution as quickly as possible.   
We will keep the website updated with new posts as more information becomes available

The water is back on as of 1:00 pm today. Because the water line was opened for adjustments, as a precaution it is advised that you boil your drinking water for 3 days.

NOTICE!!! Reminder... water will be shut off on Monday, 09/23/2024 9am to 1pm for adjustments to the pumps.

The Skagit County Tire Roundup will not be done this year due to loss of funding. V.P. Ron Bates spoke with the S.C. Transfer Station coordinator. She said she has been receiving many calls about it. Ron informed her that their webpage showed that the roundup was to start on 09/17/24. She was surprised and will check on getting their website updated.

The water will be shut off for some minor adjustments to the new pump system on Monday, September 23rd, from 9am to 1pm. As a precaution they are advising that you boil water for cooking and drinking for 3 days after the water comes back on. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Checks and money orders for payments to the HOA can be deposited in the lock box in front of the office, any weekday, as it is checked and emptied every week day. Please DO NOT deposit CASH in the lockbox for security reasons.

New additions to Website. Added to document page are the CC&Rs and the Handbook of Rules and Regulations. Added to the Community Page two documents from Puget Sound Energy one concerning financial assistance for electrical bills and the other about an energy saving workshop. An after hour phone number for emergency water shut-off was added to the Contacts page.

After the presentation by Hans of Skagit County Emergency Management gave our members a presentation on the new siren going into the Cape, there were multiple questions and interest from the members. Hans has provided us with links to several sites on the official Skagit County website to find more information to anyone interested. From the sirens, actual sounds from tests to real emergencies, to signing up for RED alerts, to giving valuable information on preparedness and sources of official news in an emergency.

Please visit our 'community' page for the links to these and other sources of community interest.

Launch of the new Cape Horn Maintenance Co Website !!! Capehornmaintco.com will now provide you with current documents, news and information, as well as community links to local businesses, bus routes, flood watch, relevant county building codes and more!

Get your information quickly and direct from the source!

Check out the COMMUNITY tab for links to local businesses.
Check out the DOCUMENTS tab for copies of minutes, newsletters, documents and more, including links to Skagit County codes.
Check out the FAQ tab for frequently asked questions & answers!
Check out the NEWS/EVENTS tab to get announcements about what is new!

Watch for new features coming soon to give you even more and faster information!