City of Racine Declares Snow Emergency in Advance of Sunday Weather Event
DPW Prepares for Impending Snowstorm with Snow Emergency Declaration
With the potential for a significant snowstorm on Sunday, the Commissioner of Public Works declared a snow emergency beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The National Weather Service is predicting a significant snowfall during this period of time, which may affect our area.
The City of Racine’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is mobilizing to ensure roads are cleared as efficiently and safely as possible.
Per Section 94-216 of the municipal code, additional parking restrictions are put in place during a declared Snow Emergency. The information below explains where vehicles may be parked during the emergency period.
Parking During a Snow Emergency
During this time:
- NO PARKING is permitted on either side of the City’s highways, arterial, and collector streets per City Ordinance.
- For all other streets:
- Residents should park on the EVEN side of the street from the time of declaration, Sunday at 3:00 p.m., until 6:00 a.m. Monday.
- Residents should park on the ODD side of the street from 6:00 a.m. Monday until 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, when the emergency expires.
- AFTER the Snow Emergency has ended on Tuesday morning at 6:00 a.m., regular alternate-side winter parking regulations resume.
Vehicles parked in violation of these restrictions will be ticketed and may be subject to towing.
Plowing Strategy
For decades, the City has followed a structured, tiered approach to snow removal, prioritizing public safety and efficient use of resources.
- Arterial Roads (88 miles): These major routes are cleared first to ensure access for emergency vehicles, transit, and commuters. Arterial roads are maintained as bare pavement routes, meaning they are plowed down to the road surface.
- Local Streets (172 miles): Once arterial roads are clear, plows move to neighborhood streets. These roads are plowed to a passable condition rather than bare pavement. This means there may still be snow or ice present, and drivers must exercise caution in areas with less traffic and on side streets.
- City-Owned Facilities & Parking Lots: Crews then clear the lots of 70 city-owned buildings and dozens of city parking areas.
- Public Sidewalks (30 miles): Finally, crews work to clear designated sidewalks.
To maintain safety, plow operators are limited to no more than 16 consecutive hours of driving before a mandatory break is required.
While residents may wish for their streets to be cleared immediately, the structured approach is necessary to maintain safety and accessibility throughout Racine.
City’s Commitment to Residents
Snow removal is a complex operation requiring time, coordination, and resources. While storms present challenges, the City of Racine remains committed to clearing roads as efficiently as possible. Officials ask for patience and cooperation as crews work to maintain safe and accessible streets throughout the community.
