According to a briefing from the National Weather Service attended by DeKalb Public Works, 4 to 6 inches of snow is expected Wednesday in DeKalb. While there may be light snowfall earlier, heavier snowfall rates will begin between 9 and 11 a.m. and continue for four to six hours.
Public Works is monitor the snowfall, and plows stand ready to hit the roads with the onset of accumulating snow.
The heaviest snowfall rates on Wednesday in DeKalb will be between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to the NWS. That means snow plows will be out at the same time as some of the heaviest traffic of the day, including the evening commute. If you must travel, please keep these safety tips in mind to keep you and our plow drivers safe.
Since this is the first significant snowfall of the season, please refresh your familiarity with the City’s snow routes and plowing procedures. Snow routes are activated following two inches of accumulation with parking prohibited along streets with posted snow route signs. The map of the snow routes and details on the plowing procedures can be found here.
Vehicles parked on snow routes when activated can be fined $75. Residents and visitors are encouraged to sign up for Alert DeKalb to receive notices when snow routes are activated. Sign up can be done here.
If possible, Public Works asks that vehicles be removed from all public streets and parking lots, regardless of whether they are snow routes, to help make snow clearing more efficient.
Also, please be aware of the seasonal parking restrictions for all other City streets that are not snow routes:
Within 48 hours after the deactivation of snow routes, all vehicles parked on public streets or in City parking lots, must be moved to another lawful parking location that has already been plowed.
For the period starting at 48 hours after the deactivation of the snow routes and ending at 96 hours after the deactivation of the snow routes, parking is prohibited on all public streets or any City parking lot in a parking spot that has not been cleared of snow.
It is also unlawful for any person to allow a vehicle to remain parked for more than 72 hours following snowfalls that accumulate more than 6 inches of snow.
Vehicles violating these prohibitions can be fined up to $75.
With snow forecasted in the LRS service area on DeKalb collection days, please follow these winter weather tips to keep waste haulers safe and help ensure uninterrupted service:
- Set carts out the night before to avoid potential delays
- Clear a path around your trash and recycling carts
- Use salt where carts will be placed to prevent slipping
- Place carts on a flat, accessible area away from snowdrifts
- Keep lids closed to prevent snow buildup and wind-blown debris
Stay safe!