Iowa City Issues Reminder of Snow Emergency Guidelines, Info

Media Release

With winter approaching, the City of Iowa City reminds residents, commuters, and visitors that now is a good time to review information and make plans for a Snow Emergency, in case one is declared this winter. Being prepared in advance will help ensure that streets are cleared as quickly as possible for vehicles and pedestrians, and also prevent the risk of having a vehicle possibly ticketed or towed, expenses for which can run up to $200 or more.

Snow Emergencies will be called only when extreme snow and ice conditions exist -- not necessarily every time it snows. Snow Emergencies will generally last for 48 hours, although they may be extended if conditions warrant. Vehicles parked on the street, especially those near the central part of the City, will need to be moved to allow access by the City's snow plows when a Snow Emergency is in effect.

After a Snow Emergency is declared, people who park their vehicles on the street will have at least four hours to move them, although the City will generally try to provide more time than that, according to Carol Sweeting, the City's Public Works Information Coordinator. Whenever possible, the City will announce a Snow Emergency the day before it is actually put into effect. At 8 a.m. the next morning, Snow Emergency policies will be enacted, and vehicles that are blocking snow plow routes will begin to be towed. 

NOTIFICATIONS
The City has implemented several notification systems to inform people that a Snow Emergency has been declared:

E-mail or text alerts: Sign up at www.icgov.org/subscribe to receive automatic e-mail or text alerts, and/or City-issued media releases.

City website: Snow Emergency notices will be posted on the City's website home page at www.icgov.org.

Twitter: Users can follow twitter.com/ICSnowEmergency

Facebook: Notices will be posted to the City's Facebook page: The City of Iowa City Government

News media: Local newspapers, television, and radio stations will be notified, including the City's Channel 4.

Snow Emergency Phone Line: Call the City's around-the-clock Snow Emergency Line at 319/356-0100. Please do not call 911, the Police Department, or the Streets Division regarding Snow Emergencies, so that those lines can be kept open for emergencies.

Signs: Signs announcing that a Snow Emergency is in effect will be posted at major entrances to the City and at City Hall.

ON-STREET PARKING RESTRICTIONS
During a Snow Emergency, streets that normally allow parking on both sides of the block will alternate from side to side -- on "even" dates, parking will be permitted on the side of the street with even-numbered addresses; on "odd" dates, parking will switch to the odd-numbered side. 

On one-way streets or streets where parking is permitted on only one side: If the permitted side is even-numbered, you may park there on even dates; if the permitted side is odd-numbered, you may park there on odd dates. Never park on the side of the street where parking is not normally permitted.

All other posted parking regulations, such as "No Parking Any Time," remain in effect and should be followed. 

In some areas, normal parking regulations will apply, and parking will not be restricted during a Snow Emergency. These include metered parking spaces, loading zones, and the Downtown Central Business District, bordered by Iowa Avenue, Gilbert Street, Burlington Street, and Capitol Street.

OFF-STREET PARKING
For vehicle owners who do not have an off-street parking space available and have nowhere else to park their car, the City will provide free overnight parking in City-owned ramps during the 48 hours when a Snow Emergency is in effect: Dubuque Street, Capitol Street, Tower Place, Chauncey Swan, and Court Street. Vehicles must exit the ramps by 7 a.m. to avoid charges. A map of parking ramp locations may be found at www.icgov.org/site/CMSv2/File/parking/parkingramps.pdf. 

For more information, visit www.icgov.org/snow or contact Carol Sweeting at 319.356.5164 or carol-sweeting@iowa-city.org.