CANCELED---Snow Emergency to be 8 p.m. Wednesday until 8 a.m. Thursday
PRESS RELEASE
DATE: February 22, 2023
TO: Local Media Outlets
FROM: Andy Selle, Director of Public Works
RE: CANCELED--Due to changes in condition--Snow Emergency to be 8 p.m. Wednesday until 8 a.m. Thursday
February 22, 2023 ‑ Per ordinance, a Snow Emergency will be enacted when the City of Fort Atkinson expects to accumulate greater than two inches (2”) of snowfall within a 24-hour period. In preparation for the snow predicted for Wednesday into Thursday, the City of Fort Atkinson has declared a Snow Emergency to take effect Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 at 8 p.m. until Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 at 8 a.m. During a Snow Emergency all vehicles must be removed from public streets and alleys.
The City of Fort Atkinson Department of Public Works has been monitoring the current weather event. This event has been forecast by the National Weather Service as a Winter Storm Warning with the possibility of a heavy mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain. The Department pretreated the bridges and main roadways with a brine mix to assist at the start of the snowfall. The Department will be ready for whatever arises out of this winter storm with plowing and salting operations.
Staff will work throughout the day to keep main and secondary roadways open and traversable, but during events such as this slippery spots and intersections remain probable until the storm passes and the Department can catch up with removal and salt operations. Staff will have trucks on the roads as the snow accumulates (tentatively commencing mid-morning on Wednesday) and remain out to keep the main and secondary roadways passable. Department staff will plan for a break in the evening before returning, as the snowfall ends, in the early morning hours of Thursday to commence a full City plow. A snow pickup in the downtown areas is expected for Friday overnight. Please be attentive if you need to be in the area at this time.
If there is more freezing rain than planned, the Department will adjust the plan to help address the situation as needed. Temperatures should remain in a good range for salting operations to help deal with the possibility of freezing rain conditions, but keep in mind that ice can form quickly and remain a challenge for any winter driving.
The City of Fort Atkinson strives to ensure the safety of the community. During inclement weather, the City will provide updates via its website, social media and local media outlets.
Questions regarding this declaration can be directed to Andy Selle, Director of Public Works 920-397-9901.
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