Winter Weather Emergency

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Overview

Under C ity Ordinance 38-343, the City Council authorizes a winter weather emergency declaration when winter weather events create hazardous conditions that warrant the removal of snow and ice from City streets, including, but not limited to, the following types of events:

Snow with 2 - 3 inches or more of accumulation
Widespread freezing rain or freezing fog
Other winter weather conditions that warrant a City-wide response

Snow emergencies are in effect until all snow and/or ice has been cleared from City streets.

The objective of the snow and ice control program is to finish plowing and treating all City streets within 10 to 12 hours after precipitation has ended.

During a winter weather emergency, all vehicles must be removed from City streets until snow and ice control operations are complete.

For more information on snow and ice control operations, please visit Plowing & Salting Operations.

Notification

The City will notify several media sources and provide as much advance notice to the public as possible as to when a snow emergency will be declared. City residents are encouraged to utilize one of the services listed below to reduce the likelihood of receiving a parking ticket and to assist with making Janesville's snow removal operations cost effective and safe.

To determine if a snow emergency has been declared:

Listen to radio stations WCLO (1230 AM), WJVL (99.9 FM) or WKPO (105.9 FM).
Check the City's website homepage for snow emergency information.
"Like" the City's general facebook page.
Read the Janesville Gazette.
Join the Snow Emergency E-mail Alert List.
Call the Snow Hotline (755-SNOW). Please DO NOT call 911.
Register to receive alerts through Nixle (www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777).

The City of Janesville also works with Lamar Advertising Company to post winter weather emergency information on billboards throughout the City.

Throughout the winter months, JATV airs winter weather emergency reminders with their Calendar of Events. JATV will also include information about declared winter weather emergencies in their Calendar whenever possible.

A "Winter Weather Information" brochure is available for download and printing.

Winter Weather Emergency Parking

When a snow emergency is in effect, all vehicles must be removed from City streets until snow and ice control operations are complete. The best place to park during a winter weather emergency is in your garage or driveway. If you are unable to park in a driveway or garage, free parking is available in any City-owned parking lot.

In the downtown area, there are seven downtown municipal parking lots available:

East Wall Street Lot at East Wall Street & North Parker Drive
City Hall Lot at West Wall Street & North Jackson Street
South High Street Lot at West Court Street & South High Street
Senior Center Lot at St. Lawrence Avenue & Water Street
Hedberg Library Lot Lot on Water Street
River/Union Street Lot at South River Street & Union Street
North Parker Drive Parking Ramp at North Parker Drive and East Wall Street

General Winter Parking (Non-Emergency)

Snow plowing and salting operations can occur during times when a winter weather emergency has not been declared. By removing your vehicle from the road you help snow and ice control crews gain better access to the entire street. Fewer obstructions, like parked vehicles, mean that operators can clear the streets quicker and more completely. Please assist the City with improving winter weather responses by parking your vehicle off City streets during the winter season.

Parking Tickets

Fines for parking on the streets during a winter weather emergency are $50. The Police Department may begin issuing tickets to violators before snow and ice control operations begin.