Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester declares an official snow emergency.

This is the announcement from the Rochester Public Works Department:

The expected severe winter weather conditions associated with the Winter Storm Warning effective at 9:00 am Tuesday February 2, 2016 and the associated snowfall totals of 8-12 inches predicted from this storm could result in a serious threat to public safety.  Many city streets will become increasingly difficult to drive and become increasingly narrow during the snowstorm, the result of blowing snow and numerous vehicles regularly parked on city streets through the day and night.

PURSUANT TO ROCHESTER CODE OF ORDINANCES 136.03, Rochester City officials are declaring a Snow Emergency effective 12:00 am Wednesday February 3, 2016 and ENDING 8:00 AM ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2016.

PARKING WILL BE PROHIBITED ON ALL CITY STREETS DURING CERTAIN HOURS OF THE SNOW EMERGENCY

As outlined in Ordinance 136.07, temporary parking prohibitions will apply to all city streets (with the exception of the Downtown Business District) for the early morning hours of 12:00 am to 8:00 am on Wednesday (2/3), Thursday (2/4), and Friday February 5, 2016.  The existing Downtown Business District overnight parking prohibitions  between 2:00 am to 6:00 am are still in effect.

Vehicles parked on City streets during the prohibited parking hours may be ticketed and towed.

Residents must use off-street parking spaces.This will enable the Public Works crews to plow the complete width of the streets over the next three days. The snow removal operation will be completed more timely and cost effectively and will provide for streets that are sufficiently wide for snow plows and emergency vehicles to navigate during and after the snowstorm.

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