A Snow Emergency has been declared for the City of Oskaloosa effective Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 12:00 midnight. The ordinance shall remain in effect until 5:00 pm Friday, December 29, 2017.
According to Oskaloosa Municipal Code, Chapter 10.48, Article II – Snow Emergency, all vehicles must be removed from city streets to allow crews to remove snow throughout and after the snow event. Vehicles parked on city streets during this time will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense.
As a reminder, all property owners are responsible for clearing the sidewalks along their property twenty-four (24) hours after the snow has stopped falling as required by Oskaloosa Municipal Code 12.12.140 – Cleaning snow, ice and accumulations. Property owners can be ticketed and/or charged a fee by the city for failure to clear their sidewalks. A fee may also be charged if the city clears your sidewalks.
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The City of Ottumwa’s Snow Emergency Ordinance will be placed into effect at 3 PM on Thursday, December 28, 2017. Residents are reminded that while the Snow Emergency is declared, no parking is allowed on streets designated as “Snow Routes” until the emergency is lifted. Snow Routes are marked with square blue signs showing a white snowflake.
Parking on non-snow emergency route streets rotates sides on a daily basis. On the even numbered days, parking is allowed on the even numbered side of the street. On the odd numbered days, parking is allowed on the odd numbered side of the street.
The Snow Emergency will remain in effect until further notice. While the Snow Emergency Ordinance is in effect, all vehicles parked out of compliance with the Ordinance are subject to being towed and impounded and a citation will be issued and fee charged for towing and impoundment.
During snow storms, City Public Works crews focus on keeping the snow routes and major streets open through the duration of the storm. This allows essential and emergency travel around town even in the worst of conditions. Once the snow stops, the focus shifts to clearing the side streets and residential areas.
During winter storms, City, County and State snowplows work hard to make roads passable. All motorists should be mindful that plow drivers cannot see directly behind their trucks and often stop or back up. Staying a safe distance behind a snowplow will protect you from possible injury and protect your car from sanding material that plows spread on slick roadways.
