Coconino County Reminds Citizens To Be Prepared For Next Big Storm

Flagstaff, Az. – Coconino County officials met with several Northern Arizona public safety officials, governmental agencies and the media today to discuss the upcoming storm on Thursday and Friday. The National Weather Service predicts the storm could dump several feet of additional snow and heavy rains in the area.

The key message to citizens continues to be PREPAREDNESS AND SELF-RELIANCE. Every household should have an emergency plan and enough food, water, medications and supplies for a three-day period. Adequate heat sources, such as propane and wood, should be replenished. Vehicles should be winterized and contain necessary supplies and warm clothing in the event motorists become stranded. Gas tanks should be kept at least half-full.

Residents are encouraged to look out for their neighbors, particularly those who are elderly or disabled. Check on them regularly throughout the storm to ensure they have adequate supplies, communication during power outages, and that they are safe and warm. Help shovel their driveways if they need to get out or emergency services need to get to them.

Residents are also asked to plan for the care of their animals and livestock and to be sure they have hay, grain and other related necessities. Local hay and grain suppliers and have adequate supplies.

It is important that citizens call APS if they lose electrical power, and to not assume that someone else has notified them. For residential outages, call (800) 253-9405; for business outages, call (800) 253-9407.

County road crews are plowing County roads and will continue to do so throughout the storm. Citizens should be patient and drive safely, but are encouraged to stay off the roads as much as possible. Arterial, or main, roads are plowed first, and often, in order to allow access for emergency services and to keep traffic moving. With continuing heavy snow, it may take a while before they can get to the residential roads.

The County crews do not plow private driveways and, in heavy storms, it is necessary to dump snow in front of residences at the end of the driveways. Residents are encouraged to shovel the snow as often as possible to keep their access clear. If citizens live on a private road, they are advised to make arrangements with a private snow removal vendor ahead of time.

As a reminder, Coconino County Ordinance #86-6 prohibits parking on County roadways between November 1 and April 1 on a 24-hour basis. To avoid being towed, all motor vehicles should be kept clear of the streets. This will help expedite snow removal operations and prevent damage to County snowplows or private vehicles.

Heavy snow brings the potential for a flat roof to collapse under the weight of the snow. Keeping the snow cleared off the roof will prevent this from happening. The mixture of snow, ice and temperature changes can result in ice dams, so keeping the snow off roofs can prevent an ice dam from forming.

Vent pipes for fuel-fired appliances may become obstructed with snow and could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide inside a building. However, most vent pipes stay constantly warm and should remain relatively clear, even with large amounts of snow. If carbon monoxide is suspected, residents should call 911 immediately.

For more information on flat roof, vent pipe and ice dam issues, contact Coconino County Community Development at (928) 679-8850.

With the potential of heavy rain on Friday comes the possibility of localized flooding. County emergency management officials and local agencies are working together to provide sand bags and sand. Citizens should bring their own shovels; and they are responsible for filling and transporting the sand bags. County residents are advised to contact their local fire department for more information. The following locations have sand bags and sand available:

· Ft. Tuthill Grandstands, 3 miles south of Flagstaff, I-17 at Exit 337

· Summit Fire Department #36, 8015 W. Wing Mountain Road (Baderville)

· Summit Fire Department #32, 8905 Koch Field Road (Doney Park)

· City of Flagstaff Thorpe Park softball fields (available beginning 8:00 a.m. on Friday)

· Cities of Williams and Sedona have three locations each; check their local websites for specifics

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has set up a citizen call center where information is available on emergency preparedness and weather related issues. The hotline number is (888) 679-8393. Additional information on winter preparedness can be found at www.coconino.az.gov/emergencysvcs.aspx?id=598.

For 24-hour emergency related information, call the Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523; toll-free (800) 338-7888. For more information on County road conditions, call the Public Works Snow Dispatch at (928) 526-2735.