The skies are clear over KELOLAND, but expect all that to change over the weekend. City and state road crews are mobilizing for a storm that could bring rain, snow and wind to much of the state.
Crews are ready to go and workers are on standby for Saturday night into Sunday, which is when the city thinks they'll need to get out in full force.
But, what's particularly difficult with this storm for Sioux Falls officials is figuring out if there will be rain or snow or both. They say they're planning for the worst.
“I'm not worried about four to six inches of snow. But when you have winds with gusts in the 40 miles per hour range, that causes a lot of problems for us and the traveling public out there,” Sioux Falls Street Fleet Manager Galynn.
Huber says the department is on standby starting midnight Saturday. Crews who man sanding trucks will be in watching the rain in the forecast fall and freeze.
Huber expects a full staff as the snow comes Sunday. That's 100 city employees and about 30 private contractors.
“It's easier for me to plan for the big event. And if that doesn't materialize or we get less rain, it's easier to send people home than it is to bring people in and try to get ahead of it,” Huber said.
High winds in the forecast and the potential snow it could blow around is what concerns the city. Huber's planning for at least four inches to fall in Sioux Falls. He says as conditions worsen, watch for city alerts, stay away from the plows and be patient.
“Basically, just have to babysit this thing until the snow lets up and the wind lets up. Then we'll do the full-blown snow alert if there's that much snow and plow out the city,” Huber said.
If snow accumulations and blowing and drifting are severe, there is a potential the city would move operations to aid emergency services and police calls.
Huber says that has happened. But the best advice for anyone is that if you have some errands to run, take advantage of Friday night and Saturday.
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