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HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2016-01-20 snow hotline Town of Leesburg News Release For Immediate Release Media Contact: Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer barnett@leesburgva.gov  703-771-2734 Leesburg Debuts Snow Hotline During snow emergencies, residents can call 703-777-SNOW to get up-to-date snow removal operations information and to report problems. Leesburg, VA (January 20, 2016) – In preparation for the possible winter storm later this week, Town officials remind residents and businesses about Town policies for handling snow, sleet, ice and other wintry precipitation. Snow Emergency Declarations. The Town generally declares a snow emergency when enough snow, sleet or other icy precipitation has accumulated on Town roadways to start plowing operations. Depending on the weather forecast, a snow emergency may be declared in advance of a winter storm. Snow Hotline. Whenever a snow emergency is in effect, the Town’s Snow Hotline (703-777- SNOW) will be active 24/7. Residents can call to get up-to-date information about current snow removal operations and to report problems related to snow removal. Residents can also report snow removal issues via an online form on the Town’s website at www.leesburgva.gov/snow#hotline. Snow Emergency Routes. During a snow emergency, all vehicles must be removed from streets designated as Snow Emergency Routes. Any vehicle not removed from the designated streets when a snow emergency is in effect will be towed at the owner’s expense. Snow Emergency Routes are:  Market Street, from Fairview Street to the Route 7/15 Bypass  King Street, from the Union Cemetery to Country Club Drive  Loudoun Street, from Liberty Street to Harrison Street Snow Removal from Town Streets. The Town of Leesburg Public Works Department’s Street Division is responsible for snow removal from public streets throughout Town. When possible, crews will salt and sand streets before the onset of wintry precipitation. Once plowing operations begin, Snow Emergency Routes and other primary roads will be cleared first, followed by secondary streets and subdivision roads. Town crews will work 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, as long as necessary to clear streets. Until plowing is completed, residents are urged not to use streets unless absolutely necessary. In advance of a snowfall, residents can assist in the efficiency of snow removal operations by removing all vehicles, trailers, trash cans and other items from roadways in order to provide snow plows with maximum space for snow removal operations. Snow Removal from Sidewalks. Property owners or occupants are required to remove snow from public sidewalks adjoining their property within 24 hours of a snowfall. If ice is present and cannot be removed, it should be covered with sand, kitty litter or similar substance that will allow pedestrians safe passage. Snow from sidewalks, driveways and parking areas must not be pushed into the street or other Town right-of-way. For more information about the Town’s snow removal operations, visit the Town website at www.leesburgva.gov/snowremoval. # # #