Politics & Government

Snow Storm Draco: Thursday Garbage Collection Canceled; Parking Ban to Start; Will Schools Be Closed?

As the first blizzard of the season heads for West Des Moines, preparations are under way to keep the roads clear. And West Des Moines schools are watching the skies and roads to see if classes will be held Thursday.

As winter storm Draco moves closer to the metro, West Des Moines officials have announced that garbage pickup has been canceled for Thursday and the city's emergency parking ban for snow removal will go into effect at 6 a.m. Thursday.

According to the city website, all vehicles must be off city streets by 6 a.m. Thursday and stay off until the ban ends at 5 p.m. Friday. Check with West Des Moines Patch or the city to make sure the ban isn't extended.

During the parking ban cars are subject to a $50 fine and/or towing for violating the ordinance.

Find out what's happening in West Des Moineswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Find out what's happening in West Des Moineswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Wednesday to noon Thursday.

According to the West Des Moines forecast, this "dangerous winter storm" could dump more than a foot of snow on our area by Thursday afternoon.

Will School Be Closed Thursday?

Every kid wants to know if classes will be held Thursday if the blizzard hits as forecast.

The school district website says that the transportation team will drive bus routes before 5 a.m. and consult with Des Moines and other neighboring school districts to determine whether transportation is safe. Officials normally decide no later than 5:30 a.m. whether to delay the start of school or call off classes entirely.

Families will be notified of delays or cancellations through the West Des Moines school district's emergency notification system. The contact information -- such as the family's landline, cell phone numbers and email addresses -- comes from the data provided to each school for Infinite Campus. Be sure to let your school office know if your contact information changes.

To add a phone number, call your school office to update your Infinite Campus account. If you do not have access to Infinite Campus, your school can change preferences for you.

Weather Hotline: (515) 633-5555
Also, the district has an up-to-date recording about weather-related cancellations, dismissals and closings. Reach it by calling (515) 633-5555.

Garbage Collection Schedule Changes

Due to the expected winter weather conditions, there will be no collection of garbage and recycling on Thursday, Dec. 20, in West Des Moines.

Collection will be delayed one day the rest of the week with Friday collection on Saturday.

Holiday Garbage, Christmas Tree Pickup

Week of Christmas:  Collection on Tuesday through Friday will be delayed one day.

Week of New Year's:  Collection on Tuesday through Friday will be delayed one day.

During the weeks of Dec. 31 through Jan. 11, Christmas trees free of all garland and decorations and yard waste will be picked up on normal garbage collection days if weather permits. Trees require a $1.15 Compost It! sticker.

Residents with questions may contact the Metro Waste Authority at www.mwatoday.com.


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