Snow Emergency Declared for Royal Oak

Royal Oak Police announced a snow emergency for the city Friday. The announcement reads “The City of Royal Oak has declared a Snow Emergency effective at 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb, 9, 2018. Vehicles must be moved from the street. Enforcement will begin at 7 p.m.”

The city has an interactive map and information about snow emergencies at its snow emergencies website. Once there’s a snow emergency, which the city defines as “a snowfall of four inches or more,” When Royal Oak declares a snow emergency, residents are required by law to move vehicles from residential streets. Vehicles have to stay off the streets until plows have cleared the area. According to the city, “Once a snow emergency is called and plowing begins, it takes approximately 24 - 36 hours to plow all city streets.”

People who don't cooperate by moving their cars face tickets and the possibility of towing. Department of Public Services Director Greg Rassel says cooperation is "still critical."

"If there's a winter storm watch and a snowfall of four inches or more is expected, we'd recommend that residents remove their cars prior (to an official emergency declaration)," Rassel said. "When the emergency is declared, it's absolutely critical that cars be off the roads. We'll already be plowing by that time."

Residents may call the Snow Emergency Hotline (248) 246-3442, to check the status of the snow emergency, or visit the city’s snow emergency website where they can track plows’ progress through town. On-street parking is prohibited during snow emergencies, unless the resident obtains a special permit available through the Royal Oak Police Department Records Bureau. The application for these permits is also available on the snow emergency website.

Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images.