The City of Mountlake Terrace is getting ready for winter weather by sweeping streets, cleaning storm drains and preparing for deicing and snow plowing.

The city’s fleet includes five trucks equipped with snowplows and sand/salt spreaders and a sixth truck equipped with a dedicated liquid deicer applicator.

Snow removal and deicing routes are prioritized according to volume and speed of traffic, terrain, transit routes, routes to schools and routes utilized by emergency services. During and immediately following a storm, crews will concentrate on the established primary and secondary routes. Once these prioritized routes have been cleared, crews will begin plowing third tier routes to serve residential neighborhoods.

During a snow or ice event, residents can help by moving vehicles from city streets until snow removal is complete, locating alternate parking if they live on a steep hill, staying off roads until conditions improve, allowing plenty of time to get to their destination, and leaving plenty of room between vehicles.

When you encounter trucks engaged in snow or ice removal, yield the right of way if you can do so safely, keep back at least 50 feet, and do not attempt to pass.

In response to heavy rains, residents can do their part now by keeping storm drains clear of leaves and debris to help prevent local flooding.

Residents can subscribe to SnoCoAlerts by clicking on snohomishcountywa.gov/620/Public-Alert-Resources on Snohomish County’s website under Emergency Management/Public Alert Resources/SnoCoAlerts to be notified of upcoming weather conditions and other emergencies. The city also posts information to its Facebook and Twitter accounts and sends news releases to MLTnews to notify the public of situations that have occurred in the area. The city also posts information on its website, www.cityofmlt.com/183/Emergency-Preparedness.