MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine has declared a “Snow Emergency” effective at 12 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 25) and continuing through 12 p.m. on Tuesday (Nov. 27). The decision was made early Sunday morning after the National Weather Service updated the forecast of 8-12 inches of snow with winds gusting to 45 mph.
Parking restrictions will be enforced starting at 12 p.m. Sunday but the Muscatine Police Department will have discretion and work with the Department of Public Works in regards to ticketing and towing.
Streets that have been designated as Class 1 streets (snow emergency routes) will be cleared first including snow ordinance routes, hospital access streets, school access routes, and transit emergency bus routes. The effort will be to clear the entire street from curb to curb before proceeding to other streets.
A map of City emergency snow routes and a map of the emergency snow route for MuscaBus is available on the City of Muscatine website.
Streets that normally park on both sides of the street will be subject to “alternate side of the street” parking during a snow emergency. Parking is permitted on the odd-numbered side of the street only on odd days (Sunday and Tuesday) with parking permitted on the even-numbered side only on even days (Monday). Vehicles in violation are subject to being ticketed and/or towed.
Streets that normally have parking on just one side of the street also have parking restrictions with even-side parking permitted on even-numbered days but not on odd-numbered days, and odd-side parking permitted on odd-numbered days but not on even-numbered days.
The transition time between the first and second day of a “Snow Emergency” is from 12-8 a.m. with enforcement of the second “Snow Emergency” day beginning at 8 a.m.
Residents are also reminded that clearing of sidewalks and steps is required by City Code and will benefit school age children getting to and from school and emergency personnel as they respond to those in need assistance.
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for Muscatine for a large portion of East Central Iowa and Northwest Illinois from 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday. The NWS is forecasting 8-12 inches of snow to fall along with winds gusting to 45 mph. A blizzard warning was issued for southern Iowa and has been expanded to portions of central Iowa.
A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The NWS advisory warns that travel will be very hazardous. Snow and blowing snow will create near blizzard conditions at times with near zero visibility. Heavy, wet snow, and strong winds may result in downed tree limbs and power lines.
For more information visit the Snow & Ice Removal page on the City of Muscatine web site. You can also call the Department of Public Works at 563-272-2506 for more information.
Snow Emergency Ordinance Q&A
There are two other sections in City Code that deal with snow and ice removal.
Section 3-1-4 states that property owners are responsible for clearing natural accumulations of snow and ice from the sidewalks within 24 hours after the last snowfall. If the property owner does not clear the sidewalk in a reasonable time, the City will attempt to notify the property owner to remove the snow and ice. If the City clears the snow and ice, the property owner will be assessed the costs of removal.
Section 3-1-7 simply states that it is unlawful to throw, push or place any ice or snow from private property, sidewalks or driveways onto the streets.
Title III: Public Ways and Property