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Snow Removal and Winter Preparedness
Emergency Proclamation Issued on March 8, 2023
PREPARE NOW FOR THE NEXT WINTER STORM
Starting on Thursday evening, March 9, through Sunday, March 12, another storm is rolling in with the potential for excessive rain, also being referred to as an Atmospheric River. Flooding is expected with this next storm. It's not too late to prepare, especially if your area is prone to flooding. Sandbag filling stations will be available starting on Tuesday, March 7.
Sandbag filling stations:
Fire Station 3
Located at 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Please go to the backside of the fire station on James Av. to access the sandbag filling station. Bring your own shovel to fill sandbags.
Search & Rescue Building
1834 Santa Fe Rd., 8am-7pm (Provided by El Dorado County)
Recreation & Swim Complex
1180 Rufus Allen - Follow signs for 'sand bag location'. Bring your own shovel.
For County Resident Resources, visit: https://eldoradocounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/5f3af735637c45418b898253868ef8d3
Is your area prone to flooding?
Go to the following link, to see if your home or business is at risk of flooding. City of South Lake Tahoe Flood Zone Areas
What is an Atmospheric River?
According to NOAA, Atmospheric Rivers are long, concentrated regions in the atmosphere that transport moist air from the tropics to higher latitudes. The moist air, combined with high wind speeds, produce heavy rain and snow upon landfall, especially over mountainous terrain. These extreme precipitation events can lead to flash flooding, mudslides, and catastrophic damage to life and property. To learn more, visit: https://research.noaa.gov/article/ArtMID/587/ArticleID/2926/Atmospheric-Rivers-What-are-they-and-how-does-NOAA-study-them.
For tips on how to prepare for flooding, visit: https://www.ready.gov/floods
- Snow Removal Safety tips
- Snow Removal Plan (English)
- Snow removal plan (Spanish)
- Snowplow Zones
- Did you know?
- How to report a sNOW Removal iSSUE
- Stay Connected
Snowplow Safety Tips for Children and Pets:
• Do not play on berms or sled down them. While we know it’s tempting to sled down these tall berms, please do not sled into the street. Snowplows and cars may not see you playing or be able to stop in time if you come flying down into the street on your sled.
• Stay far away from the road when standing or playing outside. Our plow trucks are big, with blind spots, and a driver may not see you if you are standing too close to the road. A plow driver has low visibility as snow flies onto the windshield. This makes it hard for the driver to see anyone along the road. Plows can also throw large chunks of ice and snow as they pass and the flying debris could hurt you.
• Never tunnel or build forts in the snowbanks along the side of the road. Snowplow drivers will not see you if you have tunneled into a snowbank. If you’re in the tunnel, you could be “snowed in” when a truck plows next to you.
• Wear bright colors so that our drivers can see you better if you are outside. This one goes for adults as well when you are shoveling or snow blowing your driveway.
• Please keep pets inside or on a leash if they are outdoors. A loose pet can quickly run into the street and a plow driver or car may not be able to stop in time to avoid running into them especially with ice buildup on roads.
Per City Code Sections 7.05.560 – Maintenance of Sidewalks and Walkways and 7.05.570 – Snow Maintenance – the property owner and tenants of property adjacent to City right-of-way with any improved sidewalk or walkway are required to maintain a safe condition for pedestrians and other users. Owners and tenants must keep sidewalks and walkways substantially free and clear of all dirt, sand, gravel, filth, rubbish, ice, and snow. During a snow event, owners and tenants are required to substantially clear the snow and ice from the improved sidewalk or walkway within 12 hours after the snow event and within each 24-hour period if such an event is longer than 24 hours. Noncompliance may result in liability for personal injury or property damage.
In addition, per City Code Section 7.05.520 – Placement of permanent and/or temporary improvements adjacent to the right-of way – the City is not liable for damage from snow removal operations to any property, including cars, mailboxes, fences, retaining walls, or bear boxes, that are located either in the right-of-way, or adjacent to the right-of-way where snow may be placed and is not properly marked for visibility with stakes by our snow removal crew.
For more on the City Code visit: http://ow.ly/iszS50KTIAa.
Need to report a snow removal issue or concern?
Submit your concern online at the Customer Request Portal.
Other ways to contact us:
The City of South Lake Tahoe's snow removal phone number is (530) 542-6030. For County residents, the snow removal phone number is (530) 573-3180.
Stay connected
Visit the following websites to stay up-to-date with the latest road conditions, winter outages, and emergency alerts.
- Caltrans
- NV Roads (Nevada 511 app now available)
- Southwest Gas
- Liberty Utilities
- South Tahoe Public Utility District
- City of South Lake Tahoe
- National Weather Service Reno
For snow removal operations in the county, visit:
Other helpful social media links:
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Learn how you can get your home ready for snow removal operations by watching the following video.
Winterizing tips for your home from our local utility providers
Winterizing Tips from South Lake Tahoe Public Utility District
Winter temperatures in Lake Tahoe dip below freezing and into single digits. Don’t wait for the damage and expense of frozen pipes. By taking a few precautions you can greatly reduce your risk of frozen and broken water pipes.
Prepare Your Home For Winter
- Disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses
- Insulate exposed pipes or faucets
- Seal holes and cracks in exterior walls, foundation and around pipes
- Turn off and drain irrigation systems
- Find your home shut-off valve and shovel regularly throughout the winter
- If you don’t have a home shut-off valve, considering installing one
- Make sure South Tahoe Public Utility District has your current phone number in case we need to contact you in an emergency. To update your contact info, call 530-544-6474 or visit mywater.stpud.us
For more tips, visit: https://www.swgas.com/.
Winter preparedness from Liberty Utilities
Winter Outage Tips
- Gather in a central room where there is an alternative heat source such as a fireplace.
- Make sure each family member has a warm coat, gloves, and hat. Dress in loose layers of clothing.
- If the indoor temperature drops to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or below, open faucets slightly so they constantly drip to prevent water pipes from freezing.
- If candles and portable heaters are used, never leave them unattended.
- Never use a gas range for room heating.
- Never use charcoal as an indoor heating or cooking source.
- Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start or quicken a fire. Always keep a screen around an open flame, and don’t close the damper while ashes are still hot.
- Remember, a fuel-burning heater, such as a kerosene heater, requires proper ventilation to prevent buildup of harmful fumes.
- Place heaters on a hard, non-combustible surface.
For more information on storm/winter preparedness, visit: https://libertyutilities.com/