burg + Virgi January 20, 2016 Contact: Gaynelle Hart Public Works Department (434) 455-4406 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CITY OF LYNCHBURG URGES RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR WINTER STORM ‘A winter storm is expected to impact the Lynchburg area throughout the day Friday and into Saturday. With heavy snow forecasted, travel will quickly become treacherous, Crews will be working around-the-clock to clear city streets once the snow begins. Priorities for clearing streets are Priority 1: Clearing of all primary streets and heaviest traffic routes Priority 2: Clearing of all collector streets and bus routes Priority Plowing of all residential streets if more than two inches of snow exists Public Works crews are preparing for the snow by ensuring all equipment is in working order, the necessary supplies (salt and abrasives) are stockpiled and contractors are on standby to assist in snow removal, if necessary. City crews will work continuously to handle slick spots and other street problems. Chemicals and abrasives will be used only on main routes and bridges as needed. Snow removal crews will use abrasives on residential streets when necessary; however, residents should be aware that snow on residential streets may become hard packed due to the freezing temperatures and vehicular traffic. Should this occur, snow plows will not be able to remove the snow and/or ice down to the pavement. In order to better clear snow from the streets, citizens are asked to park in a driveway if at all possible. If that is not possible but parking is allowed on both sides of the street, then residents are asked to park on one side of the street only (preferably on the side with the odd-numbered houses). Please do not park directly across from another car as that creates a bottleneck and can slow down the process or even prevent a plow from clearing the street. When possible, motorists, are asked to stay off the roads until conditions improve. (Continued) 0 Live, Work & Play!Communications & Marketi: 900 Church Street + Lyy -g “Virginia » 24504 P434.455-3800 » F 434-847-2085, Page 2 For service and information related to weather conditions, please contact the appropriate offices that can best respond to these needs: + Call the city’s Snow and Iee Removal line to report a street that needs to be plowed or other problem areas. Please remember that residential streets will not be plowed until Priority 1 and 2 streets are reasonably passable. + To report power outages, call AEP at 800-956-4237 or visit hutps://www.appalachianpower.com/outages/rep. + To report problems with water mains in city streets, contact the Department of Water Resources at 455-4250, + Calls to 9-1-1 should be reserved for emergency situations only. There are a number of ways citizens can stay informed during the winter storm: + www.Lynchburgva.gov will be updated with the latest information during the storm, Look for the Alert at the top of the site for the latest information on snow removal. + Citizens can sign up for Lynchburg Alerts e-mail or text alerts by visiting weww.LynchburgAlerts.com, + The city’s social media sites will be updated with information around-the-clock. Visit the City of Lynchburg's Facebook page or on Twitter at #lynchburgva. — A Great Place to Live, Work & Play! —————_______.