The City of Peoria has issued the following press release regarding the Big Snow Storm of 2011:

NEWS RELEASE

Date: January 31, 2011
Released by: Alma Brown, Communications Manager, 494-8554
Subject: SNOW STORM PREPARATION

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning from 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, through Noon on Wednesday. There are several details that we would like the public to be aware of in advance of the snow storm.

The City of Peoria will declare a parking ban effective 8:00 a.m., on Tuesday, February 1, 2011. If you live on a snow route, please begin moving your cars so that crews will be able to adequately plow the streets. Parking on a designated snow routes is prohibited until the ban is lifted. The fine for parking on a snow route during a parking ban is $200. Notices regarding the parking ban will be displayed on billboards throughout the city.

City crews will focus on clearing primary streets (snow routes) throughout the storm. It is imperative that we keep major thoroughfares open, therefore, residential streets will not be plowed until the snow routes have been cleared.

Please do not travel unless it is necessary. If you must travel, please have an emergency car care kit in your vehicle and carry a cell phone.

When you start the process of shoveling snow from your property, please do not blow or shovel the snow into the street. This just hampers our ability to clear snow from the streets. We would also like for owners of commercial property to be sure that snow cleared from their property remains on their location.

If you have an emergency, please call 911. Please do not call 911 to ask about snow operations.

We will open an emergency command center at Noon tomorrow.

Once the snow event starts, the City will open a call center to address calls relating to snow removal. The call center can be reached by calling 494-8850. Periodic updates can also be received by calling the snow update hotline at (309) 494-8830. Citizens are encouraged to log onto the City’s website at www.ci.peoria.il.us and sign up for e-alerts. Storm updates will be sent out via e-mail citizens throughout the day. We will keep the public informed by providing updates to the media twice a day. Storm updates can also be found on the City’s website and on a crawl going across Channel 22.

A detailed snow plan map can be viewed by going to the City’s website: www.ci.peoria.il.us/snow.

PDC Services residential routes may be delayed due to expected weather conditions for Central Illinois. PDC officials will make a determination on Tuesday morning at 9:00 a. m. if garbage trucks will operate or not on Wednesday, February 1, 2011. The decision will be based on driving conditions and driver safety. We ask all customers to place trash in an accessible place on the scheduled collection day.