New Snow Emergency Level Procedures

The City of Gillette recently revised the Snow Emergency Declaration Procedures. The City of Gillette will maintain two (2) levels of weather advisories for the City of Gillette, its residents and visitors. The previous policy had three levels and contained actions that pertained only to City staff, not to residents and visitors. This change was done to separate internal City staff policy from external communications that directly affected residents and visitors. 

In the event of a weather emergency, the City Administrator or his/her designee, will notify the public via social media, the City’s mass notification system, posting on the City website, and notice to the local media (including radio stations and press), of the nature and extent of the emergency. 

LEVEL I: A Level I Weather Emergency does not restrict travel; however, citizens should expect adverse road conditions, including but not limited to, icy roads, reduced visibility, and blowing and drifting snow. A Level I Weather Emergency requires the removal of vehicles from all snow emergency routes in accordance with Section 11-10 of the Gillette City Code. All City facilities remain open for business during a Level I Weather Emergency.

LEVEL II: A Level II Weather Emergency advises against non-emergency travel in the City of Gillette. Citizens driving during a Level II Weather Emergency may encounter roads which are impassable; and will likely interfere with snow and storm damage removal as well as emergency services. All City facilities are closed for business during a Level II Weather Emergency. Although City facilities are closed, it is the responsibility of each citizen to determine whether their employer is open for business.

Additionally, the Administrator, in his sole discretion, is authorized before, during, or after any Snow Emergency to implement any emergency measures and restrictions reasonably necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, including but not limited to prohibiting parking on any City street. This will allow for the City to prohibit parking on any City street for the purposes of snow removal after a significant snow event or series of smaller snow events where significant snow has accumulated making driving hazardous. The date and length of the duration will be announced to the public via social media, the City’s mass notification system, posting on the City website, and notice to the local media.