In preparation for a winter storm predicted to bring multiple inches of snow, many communities surrounding the Omaha metro declared snow emergencies.
SEE ALSO: LIVE UPDATES: Winter storm lifts through the region
Bellevue:
Due to the forecasted heavy snow and high winds, Bellevue Mayor Rita Sanders and the Bellevue Public Works Department are asking Bellevue residents not to park their vehicles on City streets starting at 8am on Monday, December 28th through Tuesday morning, December 29th.
Removing parked vehicles from the street will make it easier and allow city crews to be more effective as they clear snow from the streets. Mayor Sanders would also like to encourage residents to monitor the forecast and avoid traveling during this snow event if possible. If travel is necessary, please be cautious of slick conditions and give plenty of space to crews that are conducting snow removal efforts throughout the city.
The City of Bellevue Public Works Department reminds residents that the City ordinance states that sidewalks be cleared within 24 hours after a snowfall and that it is unlawful for any person to create any obstruction or to place snow, ice, mud or slush upon any public way.
The City of Bellevue appreciates your cooperation as Public Works personnel work to keep the City streets as passable as possible during this winter weather event. Please stay tuned for further weather related information and cancellations.
Bennington:
The City of Bennington has declared a snow emergency effective 8:00 AM Monday December 28,2015 until 8:00 AM Tuesday December 29, 2015.
Blair
Mayor Jim Realph has issued a Snow Emergency for the City of Blair effective 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 28, 2015, until 48 hours after the snow fall ends.
During a snow emergency declaration, the Blair Municipal Code prohibits vehicles from being parked on all City Streets until all accumulated snow has been removed from the streets.
THE ONLY AREA EXEMPTED IS THE DOWNTOWN AREA WHICH IS GOVERNED BY NO PARKING FROM 2:00 A.M. TO 5:00 A.M.
All vehicles parked on city streets during this time shall be subject to being towed at the owner’s expense.
Council Bluffs (and Pottawattamie County):
Snow Emergencies have been declared for the unincorporated areas of Pottawattamie County and the City of Council Bluffs, effective Monday morning at 7:00 AM. The Emergency Declarations will remain in effect for 48 hours unless otherwise extended or rescinded.
A SNOW EMERGENCY DECLARATION means that all parking is restricted along any posted snow emergency routes. Vehicles parked along these routes during a snow emergency are subject to being towed at the owner’s expense and may be subject to a fine for violation of snow emergency route parking ordinances.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for all of Pottawattamie County from 6:00 AM on Monday, December 28, 2015 through 6:00 AM on Tuesday, December 29, 2015. Snow accumulations between 8 and 10 inches throughout the county have been forecast along with significant blowing snow. Accumulating snowfall could begin around or after 7:00 AM Monday morning.
“Citizens are urged to limit their travel on roadways as conditions deteriorate throughout the day”, says Doug Reed, Emergency Management Director for Pottawattamie County. Reed says, “based on the forecast, heavy periods of snowfall with high winds expected throughout the county will create very dangerous driving conditions – citizens should only travel during this winter storm if absolutely necessary.”
Citizens throughout Pottawattamie County should sign up for ALERT IOWA, the official emergency notification system for all the citizens within the county and its communities. Registration is free at www.pottcounty.com and important updates or emergency information will be distributed through ALERT IOWA. Additional information, including designated emergency snow routes can also be found on the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Facebook page and the City of Council Bluffs Public Works Facebook page.
Glenwood:
The Honorable Mayor Kimberly Clark has proclaimed a snow emergency for the City of Glenwood, to be in effect from 12 pm on Monday the 28th, 2015. With this proclamation no person shall park, abandon or leave unattended any vehicle on any public street or City-owned parking lot, other than designated overnight parking areas. The snow emergency parking ban shall continue from its proclamation until the snow ceases and the roads are plowed.
La Vista:
In anticipation of the significant winter storm predicted to begin in the early morning hours of Monday, December 28, all La Vista City facilities will open at 10 a.m. This includes City Hall, the Community Center and Public Library.
These delayed openings are in addition to the snow emergency, which will take effect at 8 a.m. on Monday.
For more information on La Vista’s snow removal plans, visit the City’s website, www.cityoflavista.org/snow.
Papillion:
With forecasted heavy snow and high winds, the City of Papillion has declared a snow emergency effective from Monday, Dec. 28, at 9 a.m. to Tuesday, Dec. 29, at 6 a.m.
During this time, Papillion residents are asked to not park their vehicles on the street. This will make it easier and more effective for equipment to clear snow from the streets.
Residents are asked to avoid traveling during the snow emergency. Those who must travel are asked to use caution around snow removal equipment and personnel.
City ordinance also states that sidewalks be cleared within five hours after a snowfall or by 8:30 a.m. if the snow happens overnight. Residents with a fire hydrant near their property are asked to ensure that it is cleared and visible.
Residents with questions about the snow emergency can contact the Mayor’s Hotline at (402) 827-1111 for more information.
Omaha: (City officials canceled the snow emergency declaration around 2:45 p.m. Monday)
Previous information: Based on current forecasts for up to a foot of accumulating snow, a snow emergency will be in effect for the City of Omaha beginning at noon Monday. A snow emergency includes odd-even parking restrictions on all streets east of 72nd Street and parking bans on all streets marked "Emergency Snow Routes".
The odd-even parking system requires all vehicles to be parked on the side of the street with even-numbered addresses on Monday December 28th beginning at noon. Vehicles should be moved to the odd side of the street at midnight Tuesday December 29th. These parking restrictions will be in place until the snow emergency is lifted.
Today (Sunday) major and secondary streets are being pretreated with brine. Pretreating residential streets will begin after the primary streets are treated and if the snow has not started.
Plowing will begin as soon as the snow begins to accumulate sometime after midnight. All City equipment plus residential contractors will be on the street; approximately 200 total plows. Trucks have been pre-positioned for immediate response.
On Dodge Street, Maple Street through Benson and in downtown Omaha, snow will be plowed to the center of the street. It is anticipated the snow will be removed from these streets Wednesday the 30th, beginning at approximately midnight and continuing through the morning on Wednesday.
Alleys will be cleared after the street operation. Residents and business owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks on their property. METRO is responsible for clearing bus stops.
"We are prepared for a high-impact winter storm,"said Mayor Jean Stothert. "Safety is our primary concern in any snow removal operation. Our employees are ready for this storm and will work around the clock."
The Mayor's Hotline will remain open tomorrow evening to assist callers. Updates will also be posted on Facebook and Twitter. The Hotline number is 402-444-5555.
Send your winter weather announcements to the KMTV newsroom by emailing news@kmtv.com.
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