The City of Twin Falls is continuing to encourage residents to avoid city streets and stay home if possible. Residents who require emergency assistance should call the City of Twin Falls Dispatch Center at 735-4357. If residents experience a life-safety emergency, they should call 911 immediately.
The City of Twin Falls, Idaho Transportation Department, and Twin Falls County Highway District are deploying all available resources to continue clearing roadways. Street workers have been working on rotating shifts to plow and sand roads since 11 a.m. Tuesday, but the amount of snow that fell in short-period of time, strong wind gusts Wednesday evening, and temperatures that are in the single digits, all created hazardous conditions that have exhausted local, county, and state resources.
City street crews have cleared most of this high-priority streets within the city limits, which include high-traffic arterials such as Blue Lakes Boulevard, Washington Street, Addison Avenue, and Eastland Drive; as well as streets that support emergency vehicles and facilities. City workers began plowing secondary-priority residential streets at 8 a.m. Thursday morning. As workers plow those streets, residents should remember the following:
- There is more than 650 miles of roads in the City of Twin Falls, so please be patient for plows to clear your street
- Snow will be plowed from the streets to the curbside, and this may temporarily block residents driveways and sidewalks
- If possible, STAY HOME. Snow plows must operate at a consistent speed, and stuck or slow vehicles force plows to stop operations
Residents should also expect delays in services such as garbage pick-up and emergency water services. Many roads and alleys are still blocked with snow, which makes it difficult or dangerous for garbage and recycling trucks to access. Although the city continues to respond to calls regarding frozen meters and pipes, it may take more time for city water crews to respond. To prevent frozen water meters and lines residents should leave a small trickle of water running from a faucet; ensure that lids to water meters are closed and exterior access to crawl spaces are covered; and insulate and cover any exposed or exterior pipes and faucets.
Due to inclement weather Twin Falls City Hall will remain closed until 12 p.m. today, and will resume normal operations with weather permitting. Again, the city is encouraging residents to avoid driving today to allow workers to clear the roadways.