As most residents have heard, the tri-state area is expecting six to 12 inches of snow or more to fall in the next few days.
The City of Evansville along with the county, police, fire, transportation, Emergency Management Agency, CenterPoint Energy, Sheriff's Office and the Red Cross, held a joint news conference detailing the plan for the winter storm the weekend of January 24 and 25.
“This is a coordinated community wide response effort,” said Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry.
The city of Evansville Transportation Department has already pre-treated the roads to help the enhanced salt mixture to stick.
Todd Robertson, executive director for the Department of Transportation and Services, said they’ll have 12 primary routes for main roads and fire stations, and 11 secondary routes that include facilities like schools.
“It takes us, normally, on average, three hours,” he said, to complete a route. “Some are a little less, some are a little more, but that's the general consensus. And then we'll be out throughout this particular event.”
The goal is usually 24 hours to “bare pavement,” Robertson said. “But as you can imagine, with the amount of snow, it may be a little longer than the 24 hour rule.”
There are likely neighborhood streets the city won’t be able to plow until the worst is over. There’s a list of plow routes on the city website.
At the new conference, Terry asked the public to stay off the roads.
“If you must drive, just go slow and give snow trucks plenty of space,” she said. “Be patient with our first responders. Conditions may slow response times, but they will show up and be there to help you.”
Also, pack extra clothing and provisions for if you get stuck.
The good news is that in this area, widespread power outages are not expected, but it will be very cold, so Terry asked residents to bring animals inside.
Local overnight shelters are open, and area Red Cross Director Beth Sweeny said they’re ready to offer assistance if needed.
“We have pre-positioned resources in preparation to have shelters and shelter volunteers on standby, ready to support community members,” she said. “Should those overnight disaster shelters be needed so a lot of that looks like snacks, meals, emotional support and disaster health resources.”
The heaviest snowfall is expected to be from Saturday afternoon through Sunday Morning. Cliff Weaver, director of the Evansville Emergency Management Agency said if the snow falls as expected, it’s been 20 years since such a snow event in the area.
County Council President Justin Elpers said he’s been in contact with the county road maintenance garage.
“All the trucks are ready to roll — fueled, ready to rock and roll for whatever is thrown at us,” he said, adding that they’re still deciding which county services and functions will be open on Monday.
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