(Updated Feb. 28, 2:45 p.m.)
The City’s six plows remain out on city streets today working to clear remaining snow and ice and trying to reach priority three routes in the south hills. Reaching these areas has been challenging due to the round the clock need on priority one and two routes since Monday and the amount of solid ice in the hills currently.
Two City of Eugene tree crews and two contract tree crews are also out responding to tree hazards and multiple teams of tree scouts are assessing damage throughout the city. Currently there are over a dozen spots in Eugene the City is awaiting clearance from EWEB on to proceed with tree removal.
Important Reminders
- Other than clearing the way for emergency response needs, neighborhood streets not deemed a priority one, two or three will not be cleared. This is due to the level of available resources such as snow plows, as well as the length and severity of the storm which has required a 24 hour a day operation just to keep priority one and two routes and many of the priority three routes open.
- Although property owners are responsible for keeping their sidewalks clear, it has proven for many to be an impossible task due to the amount and weight of snow. The City asks that motorists please be careful when driving and watch out for pedestrians trying to walk along roads instead of sidewalks.
- Hendricks Park, the Ridgeline Park System and Skinner Butte are still closed due to hazardous and downed trees.
- Cars parked on priority routes are still hampering the City’s ability to plow. The City’s ice/snow emergency declaration remains in effect which prohibits parking along streets designated as snow emergency routes while a snow/ice emergency is in effect. Community members are asked to move cars off these routes. To find out if they are on a priority route they can check out the map at www.eugene-or.gov/snow or call 541-682-4800.
- The debris being created across town as a result of tree crews working on city street trees will remain until late next week. At that time staff will be able to begin picking up this debris. This work will likely go on for several weeks.
As ice and snow melt there is some flooding. Teams are out clearing catch basins and curb inlets today. Community members are reminded to keep tree and other cleanup debris from their yards on their property and be sure not to block storm drains. Street flooding can be reported by calling 541-682-4800.
Overnight crews will be working to plow, deice and sand in preparation for the morning commute.
Closure Updates
The following City of Eugene programs and services are affected by the inclement weather on Thursday, February 28. Please check back for updates as information becomes available.
Eugene Police Department
- The monthly Eugene child car seat clinic held at Fire Station #2 is canceled for Thursday, February 28.
Library, Recreation and Cultural Services
- Recreation
- Hilyard Community Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will offer showers, a place to charge electronic devices, and a place to stay warm and dry.
- Other Rec facilities will be available at noon including the Amazon, Campbell and Sheldon Community Centers, Petersen Barn, and Echo Hollow and Sheldon Pools.
- All Rec programming is canceled.
- Library
- Sheldon, Bethel and Downtown Libraries will open at 10 a.m.
Meetings
Parks
The following parks are closed due to the possibility of tree failures:
- Hendricks Park
- Ridgeline Park System
- Skinner Butte
The public is advised to use extreme caution near trees in all parks.
Spay and Neuter Clinic
- The City of Eugene Spay and Neuter clinic is open today but will close at 5 p.m. instead of 5:30 p.m.