Monument opens command center in response to weekend storm
MONUMENT, Colo. (KRDO) -- While El Paso County officials were announcing their preparations for the snowstorm expected this weekend, a town within the county -- Monument -- opened its own command center to handle the weather event.
In a release sent Thursday night, officials listed the participating agencies below:
- Monument Police Department
- Palmer Lake Police Department
- Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Department
- Palmer Lake Fire Department
- Monument Public Works
- Palmer Lake Public Works
- Wescott Fire District
Authorities are preparing for snowfall amounts of between 8 and 30 inches depending on the track of the storm.
"What we look at is the density of the snow and how fast it comes down," said Police Chief Sean Hemingway. "So if you did see a high amount of snow in a fairly rapid amount of time, that could have a significant impact on the roadways becoming impassable."
One concern regards people who don't heed the advice to stay home and avoid travel, because they could become stranded and require rescues.
"So that's our first concern -- stay home unless there's a reason to be out," Hemingway said. "If you have a true emergency, call us, we'll come. Our response may be impacted. We want to reiterate that. Our response may be impacted, and we may not be able to get to you. We've had challenges with that in the past."
Another worry is that travelers on the area's two major roadways, Interstate 25 and Highway 105, could be forced to remain in the area overnight or during the storm, where there are few available options for lodging.
Authorities said that they will be ready to respond to any emergency, and have several locations designated as emergency shelters in case they're needed.
A brief but intense snow squall earlier this year provided authorities with sort of a dry run. The squall, they said, dropped three inches of snow in 30 minutes and forced the brief closure of I-25 and Highway 105.
