Snow Removal

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Salt Spreading & Plowing Procedures

Snow plowing is not productive until snowfall reaches a depth of two inches. When conditions allow, crews will begin by spreading de-icers in an attempt to get a layer of brine against the pavement. Please note that is not productive to apply brine when a snow event begins with rain.

If accumulations exceed two inches, crews will begin plowing as they spread de-icers. During intense storms, the spreading of de-icers will be discontinued and crews will plow until such time as snowfall stops.

As the last step in the clean up from a storm, the area of the street adjacent to the gutter will be plowed back. This is done to allow melting materials to run off and ultimately reach the gutter. This will reduce the number of icy patches that occur during evening refreezing.

Resident Responsibilities, How You Can Help

Together we can help ensure safe, efficient snow removal...

Try to move snow to the tree lawn, away from hydrants and mailboxes and to the left of your driveway (as you face your home) to help prevent snow being plowed back into your driveway.
Clearing the curb and gutter area on the side of the driveway from which the plow trucks approach, can reduce the amount of snow that will be pushed into your newly shoveled driveway.
During a snow event, if you can, move all obstructions from the street. Think basketball hoops, parked vehicles and any personal property that might make it difficult for a snow plow to navigate the road.
If off-street parking is not an option, please be sure to not double park or park in any way that may restrict the ability for the City's trucks to travel the road from traveling through an area. Obstructing a truck's ability to travel down a street may cause treatment delays.

See Westerville Codified Ordinance 529.05).

Westerville Snow Patrol
The Leadership Westerville Snow Patrol pairs older residents and residents with disabilities with nearby neighbors who volunteer to assist them with snow removal on their sidewalks, walkways and driveways. Register to volunteer

A Note About Public Sidewalks
The small-but-mighty Westerville Parks Maintenance team is responsible for clearing sidewalks near City parks and parks facilities, as well as assisting with road clearing. Here are their priorities:

Sidewalks in front of Parks buildings, City fire stations and WeConnect Data Center
Street clearing assistance, as needed
Park sidewalks and recreation trails. Due to staffing and resource limitations, not all park parking lot areas or trails will be treated. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Connecting With the City

Westerville's Non-Emergency Number

(614) 882-7444

Submit Non-Emergency Service Requests

For Timely Emergency Communications, Facility, Service and Program Updates:

City of Westerville X Account
City of Westerville Facebook Account
Refresh this page or the City's homepage

Westerville Community Center Facility, Programs:

Parks & Recreation web site

Snow Removal Policy (Priorities)

Snow Removal Priorities

We first focus on the most highly traveled roads and streets that service hospitals.
The second priority is given to streets around schools and those that facilitate traffic in and out of the City.
Last (but not least) subdivision streets, courts, alleys and dead-ends.

The snow removal policy is to clear the most highly traveled roads and streets that service the hospital and schools first. Emergency travel for fire, emergency medical and police personnel is the biggest snow removal priority. This is why arterial and secondary streets are cleared first. The second priority is to clear streets around schools and to facilitate traffic moving in and out of the city, which also impacts first- and second-tier roads. The third priority is to clear subdivisions, including courts, dead end streets and alleys. Subdivisions are cleared last because they carry the least amount of traffic.

The top two priorities illustrate why main roads are salted and/or plowed before subdivisions are cleared. If subdivisions are cleared first, emergency vehicles would still have no access to homes because the main roads would not be cleared. It is more efficient to ensure that main streets are cleared for emergency use and then designate salt and plow trucks to assist emergency vehicles into particular subdivisions as situations arise.

Snow & Ice Control Plan

When a major weather event is in the forecast, department staff is reorganized to allow 24-hour coverage.

Because the Public Service Department's roster of employees is small compared to the population served, the bulk of the employees are assigned to the first shift (7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.). In the event of a large snow event, staff is split into two evenly sized groups. Each group works a 12-hour shift until such time as the storm has passed and all streets have been cleared.

The Department has a multi-level plan of attack for a snow event. Depending on the intensity of the storm and the number of trucks available, a level of service is chosen. Presently, there are actions that involve 6-10 truck plans, plus a four-truck tandem plan. The Street Maintenance Supervisor updates the annual plan to include any streets installed from the previous year and any improvements in performance from previous years.

Snow & Ice Control Materials

Recently the Department began pre-treating major arterial streets and bridges with brine to help reduce the effects of ice and increase the efficiency of plowing snow when needed. The brine helps keep ice and snow from adhering to the pavement.

The Department utilizes salt as the main ingredient for de-icing streets. An additive is used to increase the melting power of the salt. This product does an excellent job of increasing the ability to melt ice and snow.

Snow Emergencies

In the City of Westerville, a snow emergency is declared automatically any time snowfall reaches a depth of three inches. The Westerville Public Service Department monitors all available weather programs for current and forecasted weather conditions. When a major weather event is forecast, department staff is reorganized to allow 24-hour coverage. For urgent updates, follow the City of Westerville on Twitter.

In Ohio, county sheriffs may declare snow emergencies and temporarily close county and municipal roads within their jurisdictions for the protection of public safety (see Ohio Attorney General Opinion 86-023). Please monitor the Delaware and Franklin County Sheriff's offices websites and social media channels, as well as local news for snow emergency announcements.

The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness website lists the following explanations for Snow Emergencies:

LEVEL 1: Indicates hazardous roadways with blowing, drifting snow. Ice may also be present. Drivers are encouraged to use caution.
LEVEL 2: Indicates hazardous roadways with blowing, drifting snow. This level is declared when roads may be "very" icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should do so. At this level, the state encourages residents to contact employers to see if they should report into work. If driving is a must, exercise extreme caution.
LEVEL 3: Roadways are closed to non-emergency workers. Travel should be restricted unless for a personal emergency or if "absolutely necessary." All residents should contact employers to confirm if they should report to work. The state warns that those traveling during a Level 3 may subject themselves to arrest.

Track statewide travel conditions with the Ohio Department of Transportation's OHGO app.

Power Outage Information

The Westerville Electric Division is prepared to respond to outages, downed lines and trees. In the event of an outage, track restoration progress at www.westerville.org/outage. You can also follow the Electric Division on Twitter for updates.

To Report an Outage, Downed Trees or Lines:

Call (614) 901-6700
Sign up to send text messages (Registration is required)

In the Event of a Power Outage:

Keep all external doors and windows closed, using towels to block drafts. Read these safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
NEVER attempt to heat homes with gas stoves or grills.
Keep generators at least 20 ft. from the home.

If You See Downed Power Lines:

NEVER touch a fallen power line
Call 9-1-1 if someone has come into contact with a fallen line

Graphic image titled, "Safe Shoveling Tips."

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!

It can take a lot of time and effort to clear the pavement areas on the streets of the City of Westerville. The patience of our residents is an added value to the process of quickly clearing streets and neighborhoods. The removal of cars from the street any time there is snow is also extremely helpful.