Omaha Snow Preps Under Way

By Meghan Matthews

CREATED Feb. 20, 2013

  • Print

  • One after another city workers leave their home base to pre-treat roads before the snow starts to fall. Video by kmtv.com

    video

OMAHA, Neb. -- Salt, check. Sand, check.

Crews in Omaha are loading up and heading out. One after another, city workers left their home base Wednesday night to pre-treat roads before the snow starts to fall.

"We know that's working because our complaints are down about 80% on snow and we will continue that concept."    
 
The mayor announced a snow emergency for Omaha, to go into effect at 12 a.m. Friday. That means drivers who park on roads east of 72nd Street will have to follow the odd/even parking rules or pay the price.
 
"We're very flexible on this, so move your car when you're comfortable to move your car. But by midnight we'd like to see the street with all the vehicles on the even side," the mayor said.
On even days, cars must be parked on the side of the street with even numbers, and vice versa for odd days.
 
Public Works Director Bob Stubbe said the system is crucial for plows to get through residential areas.
 
"If we've got plows out there on the streets and they're stuck in traffic they can't really do anything," he said
 
City officials said their first priority will be keeping Omaha's main roads clear.
 
Public Works Engineer Scott McIntyre said he isn't sure when any neighborhoods will get a clean sweep.
 
"I would not anticipate that we'd move full force into those residential streets until sometime in the afternoon on Friday at the earliest," he said.
 
They'll be putting on the plows and checking equipment, making sure all pieces are 100 percent.
 
A fleet of 200 plows and  trucks will take the roads Thursday and Friday, ready for another 24-hour operation.