The City of Norwalk is preparing for the first snowfall accumulation of 2022, which is expected to begin late tonight and last through Friday morning. While the forecast is not calling for a significant amount of snow, it does appear to be a road salting and plowable event, with 3-6” possible in some areas. For each storm, the City plans at least 48 hours in advance, and continuously monitors multiple weather forecasts to ensure the appropriate amount of equipment and personnel are available prior to the inclement weather event. Here’s how the City prepares for and responds to winter storms:

• City plow trucks are prepped, including inspection of fluid levels and all equipment, such as plows, plow blades, lights, chain saws, flashlights, etc. several days before the storm. Heavy duty trucks are loaded with pre-treated rock salt, which makes clearing snow easier by preventing snow/ice from bonding to and re-freezing on the road pavement. Sand and brine mixtures not used for road pre-treatment applications.
• Pre-treatment (with treated rock salt) of the 255 miles of city roads, 19 schools, and park surfaces begins roughly three hours before a weather event, otherwise materials are washed away or pushed aside by vehicles.
• The City and Schools remain in constant communication regarding the inclement weather. Decisions on delays, closures, and impacted services, such as COVID-19 testing and vaccines, and garbage and recycling collection, attempt to be made as soon as possible. Announcements are made on the city website and local news outlets.
• There are 26 plow routes in Norwalk. All numbered state roads are cleared by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Emergency routes and major roads are cleared and salted first, followed by school parking lots and secondary roads (i.e. side streets, cul-de-sacs, dead-end streets, etc.). Crews ensure each road is safe and passable for emergency service vehicles before returning, if necessary, to clear streets curb to curb.
• The length of time it takes to clear the 26 plow routes varies based on the type, duration, and intensity, of snow, road pavement temperature, and other factors. It takes about 16 hours following the end of a three inch snowfall to plow and/or treat every City road once. It takes about 6 hours to clear all the schools.
• During significant storms, the City may declare a Snow Emergency Parking Ban which prohibits parking on streets marked ‘No Parking During Snow Emergency’. When a Snow Emergency is declared, information is made available on the city website, social media, and local news outlets. During a Snow Emergency, the Yankee Doodle and Maritime Garages open for free parking. 

The City of Norwalk urges residents to take precautions to keep safe during winter weather. Cooperation from residents and businesses is extremely helpful to the efficient and timely removal of snow and ice and the restoration of safe travel in the City. Here’s what residents can do to help:

• Stay off the roads as much as possible. Give plow drivers time to clear the roads safely before heading out. If you must go out, please allow extra time, and use caution. 
• Remove vehicles from the street. If a snow emergency is declared, vehicle owners parked on Emergency Response Routes may be ticketed and/or towed.  
• Clear snow and ice from sidewalks and footpaths that adjoin your property. Residents and community groups are encouraged to ‘Adopt-a- Hydrant’ by shoveling a 3-foot circle around a hydrant and a path to the street. In the event of a fire, having hydrants clear can save significant time. 
• For everyone’s safety, drivers must make sure their vision is not impaired by ice or snow, and snow must be removed from vehicles so it does not slide off and impact other operators.
• Do not shovel or plow snow into the street or onto a neighbor’s property.
• If you have a medical emergency, contact 911 immediately. Please refrain from calling Police, Fire, Public Works, or Customer Service to find out when your street will be plowed. Crews will be working diligently with available resources to clear all City streets as quickly as possible. 

For more information and the latest weather updates, visit the City of Norwalk Snow Center at norwalkct.org/snow.