Sioux Falls Emergency Operations Center Update

The City of Sioux Falls Street Department has announced a Snow Alert. Plowing of Emergency Snow Routes began earlier today and will continue until routes are clear.

Due to the difficult road conditions, street crews will plow only streets that allow for safe operation of equipment and protection of private property.

They anticipate some delays in their efforts to clear roadways of snow due to debris and downed power lines.

All vehicles parked on Emergency Snow Routes are subject to immediate ticketing and towing.

Zone 3: Plowing in Zone 3 will begin this morning, Thursday, April 11, 2013, after Emergency Routes have been cleared. Streets in Zone 3 will be plowed. All vehicles parked in Zone 3 are subject to ticketing and towing during snow plowing operations until the streets have been plowed.

Zone 2: On Thursday, April 11, 2013, plowing of east/west streets will begin at 8 p.m. On Friday, April 12, 2013, plowing of north/south streets will begin at 8 a.m. All vehicles parked on streets in Zone 2 during snow plowing operations are subject to ticketing and towing.

Zone 1: Plowing in Zone 1 will begin at 1 a.m., Saturday, April 13, 2013. Motorists are reminded that vehicles parked in Zone 1 will be subject to ticketing and towing between the hours of 1 to 6 a.m.

Thank you in advance to the public for your cooperation and patience as we work to ensure the safety of our community.

As of 2 p.m. 4/10/13, the City of Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County Emergency Operations Center continues to respond to issues related to the winter storm currently moving through the area. Please be aware that the weather predictions for the rest of today and moving into tomorrow include additional rain changing to snow with winds continuing to be an issue.

City of Sioux Falls response updates include:

• Xcel Energy reports that four feeder lines are affected with 11,969 regional customers out of power. To report power outages, contact Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-1999. Xcel Energy is bringing in additional crews to assist in the response.
• Tree branch/debris management: As of 2 p.m., the City of Sioux Falls has received approximately 180 reports of downed trees and branches. The Street Department and Parks and Recreation have 23 crews assisting with tree branch pickup. If you have reports of downed trees/branches within the city of Sioux Falls, please call 605-367-8255. Free fallen branch drop-off will be available at the City Street Department (1000 East Chambers Street) and the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds (North Lyons Boulevard) to assist with branch cleanup due to the ice storm.
• Road conditions: The Sioux Falls Street Department has 40 sanders monitoring street conditions.
• Emergency response activities in the city include 94 fire responses and 307 police responses related to weather conditions.
• Since 6 a.m., Metro Communications has received 900 calls including 400 9-1-1 calls and 500 administrative calls, generating 700 calls for service.
• The Sioux Falls School District has cancelled all evening activities.

Minnehaha County response updates include:

• Dell Rapids is experiencing widespread power outages. Other communities in the county are reporting multiple branches and trees down but no power outages.
• The county highway department is treating highways with salt, but many roadways remain icy and very slippery.
• All rural Minnehaha County fire stations will open at 6 p.m. and remain open through the evening to provide for emergency needs during the event.

Recommendations to citizens:

• Citizens should shelter-in-place in the event of power loss.
• Anticipate and prepare for additional power outages.
• Be aware and stay clear of downed power lines.
• Give Xcel Energy time to restore power.
• Travel only if necessary within the city.
• Check road conditions before traveling and exercise caution throughout this weather-related event. Updated statewide road conditions are available through www.safetravelusa.com or by calling 5-1-1.
• Do not park under mature trees.
• Be safe and allow natural melting to occur before working under and around mature trees.
• During business hours, city residents can drop off fallen tree branches at either the Sioux Falls Street Department or the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds locations.

ABORTIST LIST FOR CITIZENS

Cleanup of any downed trees or branches on private property is the responsibility of the homeowner. A current list of licensed arborists, maintained by the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Forestry Division, is available for public contact. To view the list, visit www.siouxfalls.org/icestorm2013.  A link to the list is under Resources found on the right side of the page.

If you have downed trees or branches blocking roadways within the city of Sioux Falls, please call 367-8255.

There are two free branch drop-off areas open for Sioux Falls residents: the City Street Department at 1000 East Chambers Street or Sioux Empire Fair Grounds on North Lyon Boulevard.