Important information after Wednesday’s historic blizzard
The City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County held a joint media conference on Thursday to highlight ongoing response and rescue efforts for Wednesday’s historic blizzard.
Representatives from several agencies highlighted blizzard impacts, road conditions, abandoned vehicles, downed trees, and snow response. Scroll down for highlights.
If you have specific questions about storm recovery resources, call 719-575-8888. The call center will be open until 6 p.m.
If you had to abandon your vehicle during the blizzard, check nearby parking lots if you don’t immediately locate it. If you still can’t find it, call EPSO at 719-520-7100 if it was in the county or 719-444-7000 if it was in the city.
If your car was abandoned on I-25 and you can’t find your car, call either Westside Towing in Castle Rock at 303-688-5244 or Colorado State Patrol at 303-688-3115.
Colorado Springs residents who need to report fallen branches or trees can click HERE.
Here are the highlights:
-City and county officials are asking that people stay home and off the streets
-Crews are being hampered by drivers getting out on the roads
-Colorado Springs Police are only responding to priority calls
-1,100 abandoned vehicles were checked overnight
-There we many rescues occurred overnight
-City and County plows are catching up and focusing on Primary and Secondary roads
-A major focus is on removing abandoned vehicles – All tow companies are being utilized for this purpose
-Thick ice is still a major problem on roadways
-Many stop signs have been blown down – so exercise caution at intersections
-Please exercise patience as city and county crews are working as fast as they can
-Search and Rescue worked 26 hours straight
-1,000 to 1,200 calls were received for help
-900 cars were cleared from 12:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.
-People with stranded vehicles are urged to stay home, your vehicle will be towed or moved from the road
The Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management would like to remind everyone of the below safety messages:
· Road conditions remain dangerous and the public should continue to stay off area roads.
· Rescue and road clearing operations are ongoing. Unnecessary driving could impede rescue and road clearing operations.
For more visit the Colorado Springs Winter Weather Hub: www.ColoradoSprings.gov/winterweather
More information and updates will be posted on the following social media:
Colorado SpringsTwitter
http://twitter.com/CityofCOS (@CityofCOS)
http://twitter.com/CSFDPIO (@CSFDPIO)
http://twitter.com/cspdpio (@CSPDPIO)
Colorado Springs Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CityofCOS
El Paso County Twitter
El Paso County Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ElPasoCountyCO/
Colorado Springs Utilities Facebook and Twitter
