City of Farmington Hills Issues
Winter Storm Warning Updates for Residents
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Southeast Michigan from Thursday evening, Dec. 22 through Saturday morning, Dec. 24, 2022. Heavy snow of 6 to 8 inches including a flash freeze is predicted across the region. To keep residents and drivers safe, the City of Farmington Hills is providing the following to help ensure the community’s protection from the elements.
WARMING CENTERS
The City has opened the following warming centers for residents and those in need:
Thursday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Dec. 23 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Available 24 hours beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23 through the duration of the existing weather event.
For more information about the City’s warming centers, call 248-871-2610.
STREET PARKING
Residents are strongly encouraged to move their vehicles into driveways and garages so that streets can be plowed from curb to curb, and emergency vehicles can provide prompt emergency response. For residents entertaining guests, which may result in vehicles exceeding driveway capacity, we ask for compliance if possible.
SNOW PLOWING
Once plowing begins, it takes approximately 24 to 36 hours to address major roads, City streets, and subdivision entrances even with crews working around the clock. The City asks for residents’ patience and cooperation as multiple trips may be needed to complete plowing.
SNOWPLOW TRACKER MAP
For real-time information on the City’s snow plowing operations, view the Snowplow Progress Map on the City’s website at www.fhgov.com. After plowing begins, residents can enter their address to see where snow plowing is underway or completed.
DRIVEWAYS
Because snowplows are “fixed “to push snow to the curb, there is no other place for it to go other than a driveway. This means the end of driveways must be cleared again after the plow goes through. This is an unavoidable circumstance, and the City asks for residents’ patience and cooperation.
CITY SERVICES
Trash Collection – GFL Environment has issued no change to the standard routes and schedules for garbage and recycling pickup. If pickup falls behind, service will continue until it is completed. Please be aware that delays may occur.
City Facilities – Altered holiday hours have been issued for City community centers as follows:
All other City parks are scheduled to remain open from dawn to dusk. For more information, visit www.fhgov.com.
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Ongoing Winter Storm Warning Remains in Effect
Significant Wind Gusts Primary Concern |
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Dear Stakeholder:
The threat of extreme weather remains across the state and DTE's service territories. We continue to expect 50 mph winds – gusting to 60 mph -- to blow all day Friday in some areas. Combined with the potential for more snow and ice, the possibility for more customer outages remains. Employees across all parts of DTE have cancelled or changed their holiday plans and are working today and all weekend to serve our customers.
Yesterday DTE Chairman & CEO Jerry Norcia, IBEW Local 17 Business Manager Jamie Shaw and UWUA Local 223 President Juanita Ray -- came together to lead our collective efforts in protecting people in our communities from the storm. Preparing for this winter storm has been a statewide effort and our leaders continue to coordinate with Consumers Energy, Governor Whitmer and representatives from many state and local agencies who will respond to whatever “presents” Elliot brings us. |
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As our teams head into the field to restore current customer outages, we encourage you and your communities to stay safe and when possible, remain inside. With frigid temperatures and snow and wind sweeping the state, we want to make sure your constituents know that warming centers are available to provide relief from the cold.
Each location is subject to availability and capacity restrictions - please call in advance for current information and only travel if the conditions are safe. Find a warm place near you or call 2-1-1 for support: Michigan Warming Centers 2022 - Empowering Michigan |
Please Keep Safety in Mind:
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In Case of Outages
- Report your outage immediately at outage.dteenergy.com, on the DTE Mobile app, or by calling DTE at 800.477.4747. If there's an immediate emergency, dial 9-1-1.
- For more information on this winter storm and how DTE is preparing, watch our briefing to the local media here.
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For Assistance
- DTE extends account protection to all customers when temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit or wind chills fall below zero for two or more consecutive days. For help with energy bills, visit dteenergy.com/help, or by calling 800.477.4747 or 211.
- DTE Energy offers multiple forms of protection during frigid temperatures. We provide special service protections for income-limited customers – and seniors regardless of income -- from November through March.
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We're Committed to Doing Everything in Our Power to Serve Our Customers
Customers who need help paying their utility bills should call 800.477.4747. |
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National Weather Service Issues Winter Storm in Effect Thursday Evening Through Saturday Morning
Dear Stakeholder:
Extreme weather has already been affecting parts of the nation, and soon, the Great Lakes State and the Midwest, too.
Rain, heavy snowfall, bitter cold and high winds are in the current forecast for southeast Michigan beginning today, Thursday, December 22. This winter weather event may cause power outages here in southeast Michigan.
Our Emergency Response team has been closely monitoring this severe weather and DTE teams are ready to mobilize for customer restoration. All 10,000 DTE employees stand ready to help. We will have employees from across the company out in the field to ensure public safety. Our line workers are prepared to restore your electric service as soon as conditions are safe.
We know many of you have plans to enjoy the upcoming holidays with family and friends, and we’re doing everything in our power to make that happen for you. Safety for you and your loved one’s is top of mind for DTE, as is the safety of our employees who may be working in your communities restoring power. |
| Please Keep the Below Items in Mind in Case of Power Interruption During the Coming Winter Storm: |
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Safety
- Downed power lines may be hidden by debris, so be careful as you head outside. Stay at least one bus length (20 feet) away from downed power lines and don’t touch anything they may be in contact with – always consider them live and dangerous.
- Everyone should also heed the warning of yellow caution tape, which indicates there is a downed power line in the area. DO NOT CROSS YELLOW CAUTION TAPE.
- Never use a portable generator inside a home or business. It emits carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Keep it outside, away from windows and doors, so the fumes won’t come in.
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Outages & Restoration
- Report your outage immediately at outage.dteenergy.com, on the DTE Mobile app, or by calling DTE at 800.477.4747. If there's an immediate emergency, dial 9-1-1.
- For more information on this winter storm and how DTE is preparing, watch our briefing to the local media here.
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Assistance
- DTE extends account protection to all customers when temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit or wind chills fall below zero for two or more consecutive days. For help with energy bills, visit dteenergy.com/help, or by calling 1-800-477-4747 or 211.
DTE Energy offers multiple forms of protection during frigid temperatures. We provide special service protections for income-limited customers – and seniors regardless of income -- from November through March.
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Winter Maintenance Policy
Purpose:
To provide a safe roadway system during the winter months by operating effective and efficient winter road maintenance services. During winter months, the Department of Public Services is responsible for snow and ice control on City major roads, including industrial routes, five miles of school designated bus routes, and 246 miles of local streets. The Road Commission for Oakland County maintains several of the other major mile roads within the City. Staff from the Department of Public Services’ Division of Public Works is responsible for providing the winter maintenance work force. In emergency situations, employees from the Engineering, Parks, and Building Maintenance Divisions also assist in snow removal activities.
Objectives for Winter Maintenance Operations:
- Reduce the risk to the traveling public associated with snowy and icy road conditions.
- Support emergency operations for the Police and Fire Departments.
- Prioritize the school bus and industrial routes.
- Enhance commerce within the City.
- Provide cost effective and fiscally sound use of winter maintenance funds.
- Continue to seek new, innovative, cost effective, and environmentally friendly solutions to winter maintenance methods, materials, and equipment.
- Promote better communications with adjoining communities and road agencies to share information on the condition of road surfaces.
Priorities:
The City of Farmington Hills has identified three levels of snow and ice control priorities for major and local roads. The priorities are classified by monitoring weather radar, forecasts, and by employee observations of actual road conditions. Additional information on road conditions is provided by the Patrol Division of the City’s Police Division, as well as communications with neighboring road agencies. The priorities include the following categories:
CATEGORY 1
Snowfall Less Than Four Inches in Depth
Major roads, industrial routes, and specific local streets with steep grades--58 miles of roads that are traveled by most of the vehicular traffic as well as emergency vehicles. These 58 miles of roads are divided into six routes that are plowed and de-iced on an as-needed basis 24 hours per day, seven days per week through the duration of the storm. Attention is given to all six routes concurrently.
Bus routes—2.5 miles of local roads designated by the Farmington Public School District (FPSD) as ingress/egress to specific school buildings within residential areas. These roads are plowed and de-iced on an as-needed basis through the duration of the storm, the same as the major road routes they are associated with.
Local roads—246 miles of local, residential streets are spot de-iced (liquid or granular) on an as-needed basis during regular business hours, Monday through Friday at the conclusion of the storm.
CATEGORY 2
Snowfall of Four or More Inches Throughout the City of Farmington Hills
Major roads, industrial routes, and specific local streets with steep grades--58 miles of roads that are traveled by most of the vehicular traffic as well as emergency vehicles. These 58 miles of road are divided into six routes that are plowed and de-iced on an as-needed basis 24 hours per day, seven days per week through the duration of the storm. Attention is given to all six routes concurrently.
Bus routes—2.5 miles of local roads designated by the Farmington Public School District (FPSD) as ingress/egress to the school buildings within specific residential areas. These roads are plowed and de-iced on an as-needed basis through the duration of the storm the same as the major road routes they are associated with.
Local roads—246 miles of local streets are plowed edge to edge and spot de-iced at the end of the storm, once the major road/industrial routes have been returned to a safe, travelable condition. The entire City is divided into six six-square-mile East/West tiers. Each tier is given attention concurrently and the specific starting location of the plowing operation in each tier is changed for each storm to assure equitable treatment of the residents. Plowing and clean-up operations will continue on 12- to 15-hour days, seven days per week, until all local streets have been cleared and returned to safe travel. Local road plowing operations may be delayed one day if weather conditions permit, in those sections where trash and recycling pickup are scheduled the same day as plowing would occur in order to avoid spillage, knock-overs, and damage to the containers.
In addition, should weather conditions deteriorate during the local road plowing operations causing the major roads to become unsafe, local street operations will be suspended until the major roads can be returned to safe travel conditions.
CATEGORY 3
Snowfall of More Than Eight Inches
Major roads, industrial routes, and specific local streets with steep grades--58 miles of roads that are traveled by most of the vehicular traffic as well as emergency vehicles. These 58 miles of road are divided into six routes that are plowed and de-iced on an as-needed basis 24 hours per day, seven days per week through the duration of the storm. Attention is given to all six routes concurrently.
Bus routes—2.5 miles of local roads designated by the Farmington Public School District (FPSD) as ingress/egress to the school buildings within specific residential areas. These roads are plowed and de-iced on an as-needed basis through the duration of the storm the same as the major road routes they are associated with.
Local roads—246 miles of local streets are plowed edge to edge and spot de-iced at the end of the storm once the major road/industrial routes have been returned to a safe, travelable condition. The entire City is divided into six six-square-mile East/West tiers. Each tier is given attention concurrently. Plowing and clean-up of operations will continue on 12- to 15-hour days, seven days per week, until all local streets have been cleared and returned to safe travel conditions, recognizing that this type of winter weather event will require additional days to return all City streets to normal operation.
Winter events of this magnitude may result in the declaration of a snow emergency, prohibiting all on-street parking. Likewise, private contractors may be used to assist City staff in the snow removal operations.
Roadway Jurisdiction Map
Goals:
- Following a significant snowstorm (four or more inches in a 24-hour period), plow all local roads within two days recognizing that deeper and wetter snowfalls will require more time to complete, depending on the severity and duration of the storm.
- Apply de-icing chemicals as needed to maintain roads in a passable condition.
Communications:
The City of Farmington Hills will receive information and comments from the public at the following telephone number: (248) 871-2850.
Winter Weather Emergency Policy:
Please note: In accordance with City Code of Ordinances Article VI, Section 30-726 through 735, the City Manager has the authority to declare a “Winter Snow Emergency” should weather conditions warrant. During a winter weather emergency, all vehicles must be removed from City streets to allow snowplow vehicles to clear our streets as safely, quickly, and completely as possible.
Should the City Manager deem it necessary to declare a snow emergency, residents will be notified via broadcasts and telecasts on local television and radio stations, the City website, City Listserve, and Nixle; and, if time allows, a press release will be published in local newspapers.
Chapter 30, Article VI SNOW EMERGENCIES Beginning at Sec. 30-726