City of Spokane declares Stage One Snow Event

Grace Ditzler by Grace Ditzler

The City of Spokane had plows fanned out throughout the area on Friday dealing with the snow, and declared a Stage One Snow Event in the early afternoon.

That happens when four inches of snow are on the ground and more is expected.

“During a Stage One, we have 53 crews out there city-wide reminding people to park on the even side of the road, so we can plow those hills and arterials and emergency routes,” explained city spokesperson Julie Happy.

But even with crews working, the roads were dicey.

Conditions were so icy at Stevens and 7th, Spokane Police closed the road for hours. Officers helped push drivers at the detour.

This year’s winter is proving to be a doozy.

“We’ve just had a really long freeze session,” Happy explained, “so it rained in October and it got a lot of moisture and then its been frozen, freezing conditions since November, December, January, which has created this base underground that’s about three to four feet of frozen underneath the surface. So when the water or the moisture comes, it just doesn’t filter, so you see it freezing.”

During a Stage One event, city crews work 24 hours a day to clear arterials, hospital district routes, residential hills, STA bus routes, and business centers.

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