City of Sidney declares "snow emergency"

The City of Sidney has declared a "snow emergency" starting at 11 p.m. tonight, while Sidney Public Schools announced a two-hour delay Tuesday due to impending weather.

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne, Wyo., expects 4 to 8 inches of snow to accumulate Monday night into Tuesday morning in Cheyenne County, with the potential for a much higher amount of accumulation. Near-blizzard conditions may develop, according to the weather service. Strong and gusty north winds are expected to produce dangerous travel conditions with blowing and drifting snow.

Interim Sidney City Manager Geri Anthony said the decision to declare a snow emergency was based on the forecast for snowfall throughout the night.

"The forecast is for a lot of snow and wind," she said.

During a "snow emergency," no vehicles may be parked or remain parked on any portion of an emergency snow route in the city. The issuance of a "snow emergency" is to help facilitate the ability of snow removal equipment to clear these routes as quickly as possible. The emergency snow routes are

designated by red and blue signs posted along the street. Additionally, residents can view a map showing all of the emergency snow routes on the city website at http://www.cityofsidney.org. Type in "snow routes" in the search engine.

Residents whose vehicles remain on the street after the 11 p.m. effective time will be contacted by city

emergency personnel and reminded to remove their vehicle. In the event that vehicles remain on the

emergency snow routes after the effective time, owners of these vehicles may be cited and/or their vehicles towed away at the owner's expense.

While city offices will still be open tomorrow, Anthony said the snow emergency is intended to inform residents cars must be kept clear of snow routes.

"Right now they're saying it should be slowing down tomorrow afternoon," Anthony explained. "We're just going to watch it," she said, and make a decision as the storm passes.

Also, the City of Sidney would like to remind residents not to place snow from their property on the city streets. This creates traffic hazards and additional problems for the snow removal crews. Please place snow from the sidewalk and driveway on your grass.

Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Fred Wiedeburg said motorists should avoid travel during storm conditions.

"Don't be on the roads if you don't have to be," he said.

Drivers should also have a winter survival kit in their vehicles that includes some type of food item, water and a blanket or sleeping bag, he added.

And if you're going to go out, make sure you dress appropriately, he said.

"If you live out in the county and you're coming to town, be prepared," Wiedeburg said.

Maintain at least a half tank of gas and if you get stranded, stay with your vehicle, he said.

"And tell people where you're going," the chief deputy added.

Sidney Public Schools has announced that bus service will run on normal routes, but will run two hours later than normal due to the 10 a.m. school start time. School may be canceled in the morning if the weather is bad enough to do so. If school is canceled, the school district will send out an alert on its social media sites and website, in addition to a mass email and a PhonteVite alert. To sign up for those communication services, visit the school website at http://www.sidneyraiders.org.