Anchorage, AK – Today, Mayor Bronson announced a snow emergency proclamation due to hazardous road conditions and heavy snow in the Anchorage area causing a threat to public safety.
Snow accumulation was greater than what was forecasted, and due to the heavy snow, several fallen trees have been reported. Street maintenance operations has responded to 40 downed trees in the last 15 hours – causing delays in plowing operations.
“By proclaiming a Snow Emergency, I am able to secure additional resources to get the city streets cleared within the 84-hour timeframe as outlined in the Snow and Ice Removal Plan," said Mayor Bronson. “The safety of Anchorage residents is my highest priority. We have to make sure school busses can operate and parents can get to work and we're working really hard to make that happen."
The municipality's Snow and Ice Removal plan outlines the snowplow and removal process. Arterial roads (the main roads) are to be plowed first and then collector roads (the roads that connect to the arterials) due to public safety. Then, crews can attend the residential areas. If four or more inches of snow accumulate, the process starts all over again – sometimes leaving residential areas snowed in.
Maintenance and Operations crews are anticipating being able to start on residential areas by tomorrow night.
For the latest updates on the snow response, please visit the municipal website or Mayor Dave Bronson Facebook.
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Media contact: Veronica Hoxie, Communications Director, Office of the Mayor
Email: Veronica.Hoxie@anchorageak.gov
Phone: 907-615-1568