[Archived] Alexandria is Ready for Winter Weather Challenges

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

For Immediate Release
January 21, 2005
PIO 020-05/bg

Alexandria is Ready for Winter Weather Challenges

Winter weather often brings snowfall, ice storms, power outages, water main breaks and changes or cancellations in City programs. The City of Alexandria is committed to providing residents with continuous service and up-to-date information during weather emergencies.

Snow and ice removal: The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services is responsible for snow and ice removal from the City's public streets. City crews work around the clock to ensure that all primary roads, hospital and emergency routes and school bus routes are kept clear and passable. The City is geared up (funding and staffing wise) to have roadways passable within 48 hours of a 6" snowfall. A map of these routes and additional information can be viewed on the City's web site.

Residents and businesses can help during snow emergencies by clearing snow and ice from sidewalks and driveways. City Code states that business owners and homeowners are responsible for clearing sidewalks abutting their property within 24 hours after a storm has ended. Failure to clear sidewalks may result in the City having the work done and charging the cost to the property owner.

More snow removal tips: Do not shovel snow from private property onto the sidewalk or street; park cars off of streets when possible; clear leaves and snow from nearby fire hydrants and storm drains; check on neighbors needing special assistance; use alternate transportation during winter storms, make arrangements for required snow shoveling on adjacent sidewalk early.

Weather emergency: If the city manager declares a weather emergency, residents must immediately remove their cars from snow emergency routes to clear roads for emergency vehicles, or cars may be ticketed and towed.

Information: Up-to-date information about snow emergencies, scheduling changes or cancellations in City programs will be posted on the City web site, emailed to subscribers of eNews You Can Use, and provided to radio and television stations for broadcast. For general information during office hours, call Citizen Assistance at 703.838.4800. For snow removal information or to report potholes, call 703.838.4488.

Water main breaks: In the event of a water main break in underground pipes, water to surrounding buildings is shut off temporarily while workers repair the problem. To report water main breaks, call the Virginia American Water Company, at 703.549.7080 or 703.491.8814 after normal business hours.

Power outages: To report an electrical power outage call Dominion Virginia at 1.888.667.3000.