Snowfall to be cleared on campus, parts of Pullman

City workers advise people to stay home, avoid icy walkways before clear

ANDREA GONZALEZ, Evergreen reporter

The U.S. National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory 7 a.m. Sunday which will remain in effect until 4 a.m. Monday. 

Alan Davis, Pullman parks superintendent, said staff will work on clearing paths, parking lots and certain sidewalks after the snow falls.

Workers will plow the city loop path system, which runs from the downtown riverwalk out to Terre View Drive and Davis Way, he said. If staff can keep up they will try to remove snow on B Street as well.

The main walking routes for people to shop and all school sidewalks will be cleared, he said.

Workers will also clear Stadium Way, Grand Avenue, NE Orchard Drive, Bishop Boulevard, the backside of Fairmount Drive, Lincoln Avenue and Greyhound, Davis said.

If it is not a heavy storm, workers will clear the sidewalks around Kruegel Park and Sunnyside Park, he said. 

Residents are supposed to try and clear the sidewalks in front of their houses within 8 to 12 hours of a storm, Davis said. 

The workers will try to clear all the parking lots for Pullman City Hall, Pullman Police Department and Pullman Fire Department. Parking lots will also be cleared for the Pullman Aquatic Center and Pioneer Center. 

“When it is snowing, understand that we cannot get everywhere to plow immediately,” Davis said. “And there is the possibility of ice.”

Residents are encouraged to wear boots and any kind of traction devices for boots to prevent slipping on ice, he said.

Pullman Police Cmdr. Jake Opgenorth said residents need to drive slowly because when drivers are on the road they can not stop as fast. Drivers also need to maintain a greater following distance, he said.

Before people drive anywhere people should completely clear the snow off their car and hood, Opgenorth said. 

Drivers need to make sure they have enough fuel to reach their destination, he said. Drivers should try planning their routes in advance and pick roads that are well-plowed, he said. 

“Once you get home, stay home. Don’t go out unless it is absolutely necessary,” Opgenorth said. “There is no reason to drive in this bad weather unless it is an emergency.”