Feb 7, 2019 - (4:00pm) The various forecast models have begun to converge on the most likely scenario for the next 48 hours of weather, and more snow is on the way starting Friday, February 8, early-mid afternoon.
Because it will be falling on much colder roads than this Monday’s event, it will stick quickly. By Saturday afternoon, most forecasts expect up to 6" accumulation, perhaps even more in isolated areas.
The City has prepared heavily for this event: plow crews are well supplied with fuel and materials, equipment is being double-checked, and work teams will be switching back onto 24-hour shifts Friday morning through the weekend.
Extra police, fire, and public works crews are scheduled, and the City will open its Emergency Operations Center Friday afternoon to handle heavier call volumes and coordinate the response. The City is also in close contact with the MI School District.
For snow/ice/sand service requests, please use the City's online portal, MI-Connect, or download the app to submit via a smartphone. This pushes the information directly into the workflow queue for our Public Works field crews -- an online map also shows whether anyone else has already requested service at the same location. View plow routes here. During the peak of the storm, the City will be focused on plowing.
On Friday (Feb 8), Republic Services will visit ALL MI neighborhoods to make one last attempt to collect excess garbage & recycling until the main snowstorm hits. Residents may also set out doubles next week on their regular day (weather-permitting) at no extra charge.
Many meetings and events for next week have been canceled and are being rescheduled – check the City’s calendar to view a complete list. In particular, the annual Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation fundraiser breakfast (planned for Wednesday, February 13) has been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 6.
More frequent updates are posted to the City’s social media outlets.