Weather can lead to declaration of snow emergency

Following a relatively mild early winter on par with last year’s whole season, a snowstorm that came blustering in on the day after Christmas on Wednesday, Dec. 26, served as a reminder that winter can still come to Tecumseh after all. Residents are reminded that during winter months, if there is an accumulation of two inches of snow or more, a snow emergency is in effect. During a snow emergency, parking on the street is prohibited. The city’s street department needs all vehicles off the street to clear the snow.According to the city’s website, if the forecast calls for snow overnight, residents are asked to park all vehicles in the drive. Those who do not have driveways are encouraged to park them in the downtown city parking lots. Officers may ticket vehicles that are parked on a street during a snow emergency. The city ordinance states, “No automobile, truck or trailer shall be parked on any street or alley in the city between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. on those days when an accumulation of snow requires that the city snowplows clear such streets and alleys.” The ordinance further notes: “The parking or standing of a motor vehicle on a public street or highway in the city shall be prohibited during the term of such emergency. A snow or ice emergency shall be deemed to exist when snow, ice or a combination of the two exceeds the depth of two inches on city streets or highways.”