The snow has arrived and forecasters are saying the City of Milwaukee could get up to 9 inches of snow Wednesday and into the overnight.
Milwaukee Public Schools has closed for the day in anticipation and some businesses are closing while others are embracing the season's first potentially big snowstorm...
Here's what the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works shared on Wednesday about how it plans to keep Milwaukee moving over the next day or so...
Forecast: Current weather reports show precipitation starting Wednesday morning as a wintery mix transitioning into snow through Thursday morning. 4 inches of snow with a potential of 9 inches due to lake effect is being expected with heaviest snow rate between noon and 5 p.m. Wednesday, snow accumulation rate is high and expected to be up to 1 inch per hour.
Pavement temperatures and air temperatures are below freezing adding additional variables to accumulation expected on paved surfaces. Temperatures are expected to drop by the end of the week and an additional 1-4 inches forecasted for Friday night.
The Plan: Salt trucks will pre-treat the residential streets early Wednesday morning in advance of the storm. Once snow begins, salt trucks, with front plow blades mounted, will address the city’s main streets first and move into the residential streets next.
Based on the accumulation totals predicted, we are planning for Garbage trucks to assist with the residential street plowing effort starting late Wednesday afternoon working an extended overnight shift, potentially up to 16 hours. It could take 18-24 hours after the snow has stopped falling to plow all streets.
If the snowfall is heavy, we may do only one pass the first time through the residential streets to provide immediate vehicular access. Plows would then return to plow to the curb. This is a dynamic operation and as weather patterns change so does the operational plan. Updates will be sent periodically throughout the duration of the storm.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) urges all residents and travelers to drive cautiously and adjust speed to road conditions. Please give salt and plow trucks ample space on the road to ensure they can safely salt and clear streets.
Additionally, be sure to follow all parking rules so trucks can access and treat all city streets effectively. Your cooperation is appreciated to help keep everyone safe and ensure efficient snow removal.
Garbage and Recycling Collections: As all operators will be working an extended overnight shift, there will be no Garbage or Recycling service on Wednesday and suspension of service is expected Thursday. Residents should set out their cart on their scheduled collection day and return to the storage area when collected. Changes and updates will be posted online. To ensure service, clear snow and ice around and on top of your garbage and recycling carts – clearing a path for the cart to be rolled. Your normal scheduled collection days can be found at milwaukee.gov/collectionday
Parking: A Snow Emergency will not be declared on Wednesday. A determination will be made on Thursday once the snow has fallen and we can assess the city-wide impacts. Updates will be posted online and text message notifications will be sent if declared. Always follow posted signs and park as close to the curb as possible to give room for the large salt and plow trucks to pass through streets. We encourage those that park on the street to sign up for E-notify and text message notifications at Milwaukee.gov/parking.
Ways you can help during a snow operation:
- Please be patient and understanding, snow and ice operations take time, all streets will be cleared. It can take 24-48 hours to plow every street during larger snow events such as the one predicted currently.
- Drive carefully and plan your route to stay on main transportation routes as much as possible during snow and ice events.
- Only travel if absolutely necessary.
- Adjust driving for conditions by slowing down and providing more space for braking.
- Give salt and plow trucks space and stay back from the trucks salting or brining streets to ensure the product hits the streets instead of your car.
- Park legally and follow alternate side parking rules. DPW does a better job when parking rules are followed. Parking farther away from driveways, alleys and intersections allows our equipment to get through.
- Do not shovel, blow or plow snow back into the streets – this is considered litter and you may be subject to a citation.
- Shovel your sidewalk and corners within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling, assist neighbors who need help.
- Clear the fire hydrant near your property of snow and ice.
- Clear snow and ice around and on top of your garbage and recycling carts.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
