FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Dec. 1, 2016 Contact: Carol Sweeting
Phone: 319-356-5164
Winter is right around the corner. Be aware of Iowa City's snow emergency policies!
December is here, and with it, the potential for major snowstorms
and City-declared snow emergencies. The City of Iowa City reminds residents to
review snow emergency policies and have a plan in place in case a snow
emergency is declared. Advance preparation means vehicles can be moved off of
snow plow routes so that streets can be cleared as quickly as possible, and
also means you can avoid having your vehicle ticketed or towed, which can cost
$200 or more.
Snow emergencies will be called only when extreme snow and ice conditions exist
-- not necessarily every time it snows. The emergency will generally be in
effect for 48 hours, and may be extended if conditions warrant. Whenever
possible, a snow emergency will be announced the day before it actually goes
into effect and will be enacted at 8 a.m. the next morning. People will then
have four hours to move their vehicles before towing gets underway.
Any vehicles
that are parked on the street and blocking snow plow routes, especially those
near the central part of the City, will need to be moved or risk being fined
and towed to the impound lot. All charges, including impound storage fees, will
need to be paid before the vehicle can be released to the owner.
Students who
park their vehicles on the street are advised to make alternate arrangements
over winter break if they plan to leave town without their cars.
Parking during snow emergencies
If possible,
move your car to an off-street parking spot.
The City of
Iowa City will provide free overnight parking in City-owned parking ramps as
well as in parking lots in City parks when a snow emergency is in effect.
Vehicles must exit by 7 a.m. to avoid parking fees. A map of parking ramp
locations may be found at www.icgov.org/parkingmeters.
Street
parking will still be allowed in most areas on an alternating schedule during
snow emergencies. On two-way streets, where parking is normally allowed on both
sides, park on the side with even-numbered addresses on even-numbered dates,
and on the odd-numbered side on odd dates.
On one-ways or
streets where parking is usually permitted on only one side: If the permitted
side is even-numbered, you may park there during a snow emergency on even dates.
If it’s odd-numbered, 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.
Snow emergency notification systems
There are several ways to be notified that a snow
emergency has been declared:
Sign up for
Nextdoor, a social media neighborhood network used by many Iowa City
neighborhoods, at http://nextdoor.com, and watch for
snow emergency updates.
Stay tuned
to local newspapers, newspaper websites, radio, and television stations, including
City Channel 4, for announcements.
Signs
announcing that a snow emergency is in effect will be posted at major roadway entrances
to the City and on the doors at City Hall.
Call City
Hall at 319-356-5000. Do not call 911, the Police Department, or the Streets
Division, as those lines must be kept open for emergencies.
