Update: Polk, Dallas Counties Under Tow Ban; Did West Des Moines Schools Cancel Classes for Thursday?

Updated 10:28 p.m.

Both Dallas and Polk County are under a tow ban, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. That means that if you slide into a ditch tow trucks will not come pull you out until law enforcement gives the OK later Thursday.

The DPS website says: 

The Department of Public Safety's Division of the Iowa State Patrol is prepared to work though a dangerous blizzard begining Wednesday evening, December 19, 2012 and continuing through noon on Thursday, December 20, 2012.

"The smartest, safest thing Iowans can do tonight and tomorrow is avoid traveling--in town or on the highways and interstates," said Colonel David Garrison, Iowa State Patrol. "The National Weather Service clearly states this will be a dangerous storm with high winds and low visibility. Do yourself a favor and stay in this evening."

Our Earlier Story:

Turn off the alarm, kids, the West Des Moines and Waukee school districts have canceled classes for Thursday.

So, sleep in, shovel the driveway, make snowmen and upload your photos to West Des Moines Patch.

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 effectat 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.

Draco could cause school closings and power outages. Patch will provide breaking news alerts on this storm -- including closures and other information -- by email, which can reach your smart phone. You can sign up by clicking here.

West Des Moines should get 6 to 10 inches of snow, forecasters predict. The National Weather Service has upgraded snow storm Draco to a blizzard warning for much of Iowa.

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?

The school district website says classes have been called off and families should 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.