MUSCATINE, Iowa – The ground hog may have predicted an early spring but winter is not done yet with Muscatine and the surrounding area under an Ice Storm Warning.
An Ice Storm Warning is in effect for Muscatine and the surrounding area from 12 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, through 6 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, and will have an impact on the evening commute. Significant icing is expected with total ice and sleet accumulations of two tenths to four tenths of an inch expected. Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible.
An Ice Storm Warning means significant amounts of ice accumulation will make travel dangerous or impossible. Travel is strongly discouraged but if you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Snapped power lines and falling tree branches are also possible.
Muscatine street maintenance supervisor Randy Howell said that City trucks were being fitted with chains and crews would begin pretreating the hillier portions of city streets by noon Tuesday. The forecast anticipates the ice storm to reach Muscatine between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. with at least two-tenths of ice accumulation by the time the storm passes.
“We will be out treating the streets once the storm arrives,” Howell said. “Starting with the emergency snow routes followed by the side streets. Alleys will be left to the very last, however.”
Transit Supervisor Amy Fortenbacher said that MuscaBus will run their usual schedule as long as possible.
“It really depends on the conditions,” Fortenbacher said. “Right now we believe that we will be able to continue running regular routes.”
David Popp, solid waste manager for the City of Muscatine, does not anticipate any change in refuse or recycling collection for Wednesday.
“If we get a large amount of tree damage from this storm, we will probably open the Compost Site for local residents,” Popp said. “We will have to wait and see what happens before making that call.”
Additional information on the weather can be found at www.weather.gov/quadcities.