Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. 

This morning the City Of Spokane called a Stage 1 Snow Emergency. What exactly does this mean? Well, parked cars are to be moved from all arterials and STA fixed bus routes. Under the City’s snow removal plan, officials can call for such an emergency when there is at least 2 inches of snow on the ground and four or more in the forecast but it does not mean plowing in residential areas.
















Check the above area map. Hard copies are located at City Hall, libraries or Senior Centers. The first residential area to be plowed is rotated each time. Once they begin to plow the residential areas, the Snow Hotline at (509) 456-2666, will have a recorded message indicating the order of the routes. Stay updated here: http://www.spokanestreetdepartment.org/snowplow.htm

I've seen a few bikes out there, more STA riders, drivers going to too fast, pedestrians jaywalking. Please, stay safe in the snow. It could be worse; you could have a nine-hour commute. After the jump is the official city press release.

The City of Spokane this morning called a Stage 1 Snow Emergency, which requires parked cars to be moved from all arterials and STA fixed bus routes.

Under the City’s snow removal plan, officials can call for such an emergency when there is at least 2 inches of snow on the ground and four or more in the forecast. A Stage 1 Snow Emergency does not trigger plowing in the residential areas.

All major arterials were plowed yesterday after an initial route of snow. City crews are working on those major arterials now again and will to get into the secondary arterials and bus routes today.

The City currently has more than 20 plows out. Night crew members were kept late, and morning staff was called in early to have 24-hour coverage during the current storm.

“We are responding to changing conditions, and today we are activating a portion of our snow emergency plan to help improve the condition of our streets,” says Mayor Mary Verner. “We want to keep up with the snow we have now because more snow is forecast for later in the week.”

To check the progress of City plows, go to www.spokanestreetdepartment.org/snowplow.htm. Citizens also can call our Snow Removal Hotline at 456-2666.

When driving in these wintry conditions, the City is asking motorists to slow down, be patient, and drive according to the conditions. Don't follow plows closely, and please do not try to pass plow trucks; it is very dangerous. Please assist your neighbors who may need help removing snow from their driveways and sidewalks.

Meanwhile, the City has opened warming shelters for the homeless tonight at the Salvation Army for families, Hope House for single women, and House of Charity for single men. Shelter space is available at Crosswalk for youth/teens.

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