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1. Who do I call in an ice/snow emergency?

• To report life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1.
• See our Storm Response page for info on how the City responds during an ice and snow emergency. 
• To report hazardous accumulations of snow and ice, call Eugene Public Works at 541-682-4800, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours may extend early, later, and on weekends in the event of a storm. 
• To report hazardous downed trees such as those blocking roadways please call 9-1-1 if it’s an emergency or 541-682-4800, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours may extend early, later, and on weekends in the event of a storm.
• To report other downed trees along streets and in medians please visit our Service Request page. 
• To report power outages, call EWEB at 541-484-2300.
• To report other service outages such as telephone and cable TV service, contact the utility provider.

2. Who clears sidewalks?

As a reminder property owners should keep sidewalks clear of ice, snow, leaves and debris that could cause someone to fall. In accordance to city code 7.375, owners of land abutting a sidewalk shall maintain the sidewalk and driveway approach in good repair and safe condition. Also, owners can be held liable for injuries and damages causes by unsafe conditions from sidewalks and driveway approaches abutting their property.

In the event of a winter storm emergency information is available for viewing at the Public Works homepage or by calling Public Works at 541-682-4800.

3. What ice and snow control methods does Public Work use?

A variety of ice and snow control methods are used for maintaining city streets during winter storm events.

Traditional Methods

Traditional ice and snow control methods include the use of snow plows and sanders, which apply aggregate on street surfaces for the purpose of traction control. The use of sanding rock, or aggregate, is seen more as a reactive approach to ice and snow control.

Due to the displacement by vehicles and wind, sanding rock is only applied when freezing conditions exist.

Liquid or Wet Method

Liquid deicing and anti-icing products can be applied prior to freezing events, if conditions allow, preventing frost, ice and snow from bonding to the road surface.

Sanding rock that is pre-wetted with liquid deicing products is being used with our first-response plow and sander. By pre-wetting sanding rock, aggregate is able to penetrate into frost, ice and snow, in turn reducing the amount of displacement. This method of sanding adds to the effectiveness of the applied product and also reduces the amount of product needed.

4. Where can I find the City Code related to ice and snow?

Chapter 5 of the City Code. Here is a list of relevant sections:

• 5.677 Snow Emergency - Parking on Priority One and Priority Two Routes
• 5.678 Snow Emergency - Parking on Priority Three Routes
• 5.679 Snow Emergency - Condition of Motor Vehicles Operated During Snow Emergency
• 5.680 Snow Emergency - Stalled Vehicles on Snow Emergency Routes
• 5.681 Snow Emergency - Declaration of Emergency
• 5.682 Snow Emergency - Termination of Parking Prohibitions
• 5.683 Snow Emergency - Temporarily Effective Provisions to Take Precedence
• 5.684 Snow Emergency - Publication of Snow Emergency Route Map
• 5.685 Snow Emergency - Removal, Impounding and Return of Vehicles
• 5.686 Snow Emergency - Amendment of Snow Emergency Route Map
• 5.687 Snow Emergency - Authority to Close Roads

5. Show me more questions and answers

View a fact sheet with more questions and answers about Public Works response to ice and snow emergencies