When it snows, they will come

A predicted 1 to 2 feet of fresh snowfall in Carson City over the next couple of days, promises a nail-biting weekend for Carson City residents already frustrated with skidding tires and shoveling walks.

But Carson City's public works department has a plan, and it involves around-the-clock snow plowing starting today at 8 a.m.

"I hope that everything goes well and I have great confidence in our crews and in their ability to do the job," said Curtis Horton, senior public works operation chief. "We have a plan in place, and if we become overwhelmed we will bring in contract services. But we'll get it done."

Andy Burnham, development services director, said city staff spent this week doing preventative maintenance on snow equipment. Both lanes of Timberline Drive and Lakeview subdivision roads were plowed in anticipation that today's predicted storm will make travel even more difficult for the high-country residents. Fire hydrants were also dug out of the snow.

He said workers from the parks, street, water and sewer crews will be rotated through the vehicle maintenance department to ensure a constant work force. Starting today about 20 workers will be on a 12-hour rotation. At 8 p.m., 10 workers will take their place, and so on throughout the weekend.

Carson's snow plan includes:

n Eight snowplows with sanders

n Three additional snowplows

n Two six-wheel, all-wheel-drive motor graders for the higher elevations

n A front-end loader for unloading sand and salt

n Four backhoes to clear city parking lots

Carson City did not declare a snow emergency last weekend, like other western Nevada counties did. But Burnham said if the city needs to, it'll also call in "emergency providers," which are private companies contracted to remove snow. This can cost the city anywhere from $80 to $150 an hour.

Snow plowing is prioritized, he said. The primary snow routes include Carson, Stewart, Roop streets and Saliman Road. School bus routes are also tackled first. Portions of some major streets are the responsibility of the Nevada Department of Transportation, which coordinates snow removal with the city.

Secondary routes are often the streets that loop through subdivisions.

"Then from there we try and do residential, local, streets," Burnham said. "We typically don't get to all the local streets."

And if there's one thing that gets under a person's snow parka, it's when the plow pushes snow back into a driveway. He said the drivers try to clear as many streets as efficiently as possible.

"We've been getting 40 to 50 calls a day, some complimenting us and some asking for help," Burnham said.

For his first week in office, Carson City Mayor Marv Teixeira spent the majority of his time fielding phone calls about the snow.

Teixeira gave his first mayor's report at Thursday's Board of Supervisors' meeting on helping out elderly neighbors. He also cautioned people to stock up before the big snow hits.

"I hope the community will take a look around and start preparing for what is going to come," he said about the weekend storm.

Sheriff Ken Furlong said the department is increasing staff to handle the number of calls. For nonemergency information. call the dispatch center at 887-2008.

Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

WINTER-STORM WARNING

Snow is expected to begin early today and continue through Monday with heavy falls at times, according to the National Weather Service. Scott McGuire, a meteorological technician, said Carson City residents should expect occasional breaks in the snowfall this weekend, accompanied by strong wind gusts of 50 mph or more.

"Friday morning will be bad. Saturday, you'll get another shot, and Sunday will be bad, too."

By Monday afternoon, 1 to 2 feet of snow is expected to have accumulated on most valley floors. Snow amounts may exceed totals from last week's storm. Whiteout conditions are expected, especially over higher elevations and passes. Travel in eastern California and western Nevada is discouraged today through Monday. Those traveling should monitor the latest forecasts. The warning is in effect until 4 p.m. Monday.

For more information, go to www.wrh.noaa.gov.