SALEM, Ore. — The City of Salem is gearing up for the chance of snow and ice heading into the weekend.
KGW was able to visit the Public Works building in Salem as crews attached plows to vehicles in preparation for the storm.
"We've been watching this storm for about 36 hours, and it's leaving us with some question marks for the City," said Trevor Smith, Public Information Officer for Public Works. "We could get precipitation in snow, sleet, freezing rain, rain — we kind of just don't know right now. We are watching it closely."
Smith told KGW that events like this require a lot of communication between their meteorologists and road crews, because different conditions require different treatments for the roads. But they have a wide variety of options.
"We've gotten those sanders, the de-icers and the plows ready to go; there are eight of them that will be put into service tonight, and they will go up and down their snow routes throughout the City," added Smith.
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The City of Salem is urging residents to stay off the roads if they can this weekend.
“Luckily, it's happening Friday late in the evening, we are pretty thankful for that, and hopefully, the citizens of Salem can just relax, take it easy, stay at home, watch some football, and not get out on the streets and put themselves in danger," Smith explained.
If people in the Salem area do have to go out on the roadways, they are encouraged to give a safe distance to snowplows or any other vehicle treating the roads. They are also advised to bring emergency supplies in their vehicles in case they get stranded.