EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) says its crews have been preparing nonstop for the upcoming storm. CDOT tells KRDO13 crews will be out on the ground monitoring the roads starting Monday at 4 p.m.
“They’ll be out there 24/7 until we’ve got it cleared and the storm’s gone,” explained CDOT Public Information Officer, Amber Shipley.
As plow drivers work to clear any snow from the roads, CDOT teams will also be making decisions regarding any possible closures.
“So, our crews will be monitoring minute by minute to make any determinations on if they feel it’s not safe. You know, we don’t like to close the roadways, but when we feel that, it’s necessary for the safety of the traveling public, that’s what we have to do,” shared Shipley.
She says their teams will have a close eye on certain areas that have been hit hard in the past.
“US Highway 24 is an area of concern as you head out east because we know this is going to impact that area pretty significantly. And then we also know Monument Hill, that the area between Castle Rock and Colorado Springs, is expecting a significant amount of snow– as well as the wind,” Shipley shared.
Shipley says that high wind gusts on top of snow make for snow globe-like conditions, heavily impacting visibility for drivers.
“They’re saying 35 to 45 (miles per hour), and then the gusts even up to 65, 70 (miles per hour). So when you get those kind of gusts with snow, there’s a high probability that some areas or some highways and roadways may need to be closed just simply for the safety of the traveling public, because visibility will be, almost nonexistent with that kind of wind blowing,” explained Shipley.
Another area of concern with the wind is the impact it could have on semitrucks driving along the I-25 interchange.
“Unfortunately, it’s very common for those gusts to come over the mountains, drop down on even to I-25. We’ve seen it where several, you know, commercial motor vehicles were turned over because of the wind,” said Shipley.
She says CDOT will continue to update the public on overhead signs along the highway to see if high-profile motor vehicles are discouraged from traveling. Shipley also highly recommends downloading the COtrip app or checking COtrip.org for the latest road closures and warnings.
Earlier this afternoon, a semitruck flipped on I-25 north of Pueblo West.
Source: Amber Lynn
CDOT isn’t the only organization preparing for the storm. The town of Calhan says they have all of their equipment ready to go in preparation for the storm. The Mayor of Monument, Mitch LaKind, also says their public works department will be prepared to tackle the road clearing using their existing plow and grading equipment.
The City of Colorado Springs is also preparing. The city says they are on a full callout, meaning they will have 50 plows working city streets. They also warned of the possibility of downed trees with the high wind.
“Heavy, wet snow with high winds, could mean broken branches on trees. And if we start to get trees, branches that start to break and come down into the middle of the roadway, please give us a call at 385-ROAD. We will get there as soon as we can, with crews, to try to get that, removed from the right of way,” shared Corey Farkas, Public Works Operations And Maintenance Division Manager for the City of Colorado Springs.
A spokesperson for Colorado Springs Utilities sent this statement:
We continuously monitor weather conditions to ensure we can promptly address any outages or service incidents. Our crews are always on standby, ready to respond swiftly.
Preparation for weather events is an integral part of our year-round operations. This includes efforts to enhance the reliability of our system and mitigate risks to overhead lines. An example of this work would be our Tree Trimming Program.
Safety messages:
- Please stay away from downed power lines. Treat any downed line as if it’s live.
- If you come across a dark intersection, be sure to treat it as a four-way stop.
- Report and track outages on our online outage map at csu.org or through our CS Utilities app.
- A note about masts — providing it’s safe, customers should do a visual check for damage to the mast that an overhead service line connects to near the roofline of their home. We cannot restore power to their home if the mast is damaged.
- Mast repairs must be done by a licensed electrician and it is the homeowner’s responsibility to have the mast repaired.
-Colorado Springs Utilities
Black Hills Energy also sent this statement:
Black Hills Energy crews are preparing for the winter storm which is reported to bring high winds and possible fire danger to Southern Colorado. We appreciate our customers’ vigilance in preparing and planning for any possible power outages related to the severe weather. Below are important safety reminders:
· Please keep away from downed power lines. Always assume any downed power line is energized.
· If you see a downed power line, contact Black Hills Energy immediately at 888-890-5554.
· Check on your home’s service mast. It’s on the outside of your roof or at your meter and looks like a metal tube or pipe. It feeds electricity to your home from the overhead power lines. Look at the mast on the outside of your home, but don’t touch it because it’s energized. If it appears loose, bent or damaged, contact a certified electrician to schedule a repair.
We encourage customers to visit blackhillsenergy.com/weather for safety information.
-Black Hills Energy
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