The predicted record setting snow storm has become a reality for Douglas County CO residents today February 3, 2012. Snow totals at 5:00 a.m. are already six to twelve inches depending on what part of Douglas County you are in.
Douglas County Schools are closed. Most private schools and preschools in the area are also closed. Call ahead to make sure. I-70 East bound is currently closed due to a jack-knifed semi.
Castle Rock seems to be the hardest hit with the most snow and wind so far but luckily the Town of Castle Rock has one of the most advanced snow plow tracking online service so you can find out exactly where the snow plows are and when they'll be coming to your neighborhood.
Current predictions call for 1 to 2 feet of accumulation before the snow stops Saturday morning and Mike Nelson on 7News says this could be a record setting storm for the month of February in Denver Co.
Castle Rocks email blast today included this promise:
"...if at least 4 inches still are expected, plows will head into neighborhoods. Residents can expect a single passing lane on their street to meet the needs of emergency responders.
Plow crews will work around-the-clock, and the Town expects to have about 20 plows out at once during the height of the storm. View where our plows have been, and when you can expect them in your neighborhood, at CRgov.com/plowtracker."
To follow the latest on the storm on Twitter or to let everyone know what it's like in your neighborhood use the hashtag #COWX.
A few tips for those new residents of Douglas County Colorado
- Do not drive if you don't know how to drive in snow. It doesn't matter if you have a four-wheel drive vehicle or not, if you are going too fast or don't know how to use your brakes on snow and ice you WILL get in an accident and possibly hurt yourself, others and property. Take advantage of one of your Colorado native friends or neighbors and have them teach you to drive in an empty parking lot.
- If you have deciduous tree's, do go outside and gently tap off heavy snow from tree limbs before they break.
- Always unhook your garden hoses from the house.
- Do dress in layers in Colorado pretty much year round. The temperatures can and do vary drastically from when you leave your house for work and when you get home. It is always a good idea to keep at least a jacket, hat and gloves in your car year round.
- You don't need to run to the grocery store to stock up for the storm, it really will be melted within 24 hours after falling.
- Store drinking water, first aid kit, canned/no-cook food, non-electric can opener, radio, flashlight and extra batteries where you can get them easily, even in the dark. Have questions about kits? Check out READYColorado for some great checklists and tips.
- Keep cars and other vehicles fueled and in good repair, with a winter emergency kit in each.
- Get a NOAA Weather Radio to monitor severe weather.
Know how the public is warned (siren, radio, TV, etc.) and the warning terms for each kind of disaster in your community:
Winter Weather Terminology in Colorado
Stay safe, and enjoy the snow. Snowplow Tracking System
Parker Colorado Snow Removal
- Fire stations
- Metro District Parks, Recreation & Open Space Service Center parking lots and all access roads
- Special District’s Office Building – parking lot and entry walkways
- Northridge Park parking lots
- Walk to school routes
- Arterial sidewalks and trail system
- Parking lots at all other parks
A reminder that residents and business owners should clear the snow from the sidewalks surrounding their properties, and also from any nearby fire hydrants. Snow should not be shoveled into the street, but rather onto grassy areas.
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