Public Works Crews Prepare for 24 Hours of Snowfall

Press Release

Des Moines, Iowa- Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - The City's Public Works Department is gearing up for the first major winter weather event of the season following months of below average snowfall in Des Moines. Significant snowfall is set to roll into the Metro around midnight and is expected to continue through Wednesday evening.

Public Works staff who are usually patching roads, maintaining sewers, sweeping streets and trimming trees are now preparing to shift into snow removal operations. The Public Works Department utilizes an all-hands-on-deck approach to its "Snow Ops."

"We two-step our plowing operations," Public Works Director Jonathan Gano said. "When the snow starts to fall, plows focus all of their efforts on keeping Snow Routes - our largest, most heavily traveled roads - clear for emergency vehicles, school buses and travelers."

The City's Snow Routes make up a third of all streets and are continuously cleared while snow is falling, and they are designed so that every resident is within four blocks of a snow route. This ensures that once residents get out of their neighborhood, they are able to travel the main roadways safely, even during a snowstorm.

Once snowfall ends, crews make one final pass through Snow Routes before moving into the City's 1,400 lane miles of neighborhood streets.

With 24 hours of snowfall anticipated, the City appreciates residents' and visitors' patience as crews work to clear roadways as efficiently, effectively and safely as possible.

"It's been a light winter so far, but our operators remain prepared for anything," Gano said. "Whatever Mother Nature decides to do with this storm, we're ready for it.""

Snow removal is carried out by employees from almost every division of Public Works along with staff from Parks and Recreation and the Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA).

Des Moines visitors and residents can track plowing progress and stay updated with snow ordinances at DMSnow.org or by following Public Works on Facebook and X (Twitter).

Residents can also opt in to receive text alerts by texting the word SNOW to (515) 355-8815.

Residents will have 48 hours after the snow stops to clear their sidewalks before they could become subject to administrative penalties of at least $75 that increase with repeated violations.

Low-income seniors and disabled persons unable to remove their snow due to physical and/or financial constraints are encouraged to contact United Way 2-1-1 to locate snow removal assistance available to private property owners in Des Moines.

If there are any questions about City snow removal, residents are encouraged to browse DMSnow.org for information regarding sidewalk snow removal, parking policies and more. Residents can also reach the 24/7 Public Works Customer Service Center at (515) 283-4950.