City to tow on-street vehicles impeding public safety beginning Monday at 9 a.m.

The City of Kansas City, Mo., advises residents that a State of Emergency will be issued early tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 25 in anticipation of an upcoming snowstorm. The State of Emergency will require residents to move their vehicles off of streets or observe the City's on-street parking practices by 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 25. Residents who do not move their vehicles will be subject to ticketing and towing.

The City's Fire Department today compiled a list of 197 locations citywide with vehicles that directly impede public safety. These vehicles will be towed first. The City will not waive towing fees for those vehicles that are deemed to impede public safety or snow removal efforts.  Residents may view the list of these vehicles online at
http://www.kcmo.org/idc/groups/publicworks/documents/publicworks/towlist022413.pdf
Residents who live in neighborhoods with on-street parking only should observe the following parking practice:

-On streets that run north/south, please park on the west side of the street.
-On streets that run east/west, please park on the north side of the street.

The City is taking such measures because it is absolutely imperative that emergency crews be able to access both primary and residential streets in an emergency. If snow plows are unable to clear a street due to vehicles parked in their way, an emergency crew would have difficulty accessing the street.

During the State of Emergency, the City will waive parking regulations that would affect a vehicle's ability to follow the above configuration. For example, residents living on one-way streets may park in usual "no parking" areas if it follows the above parking practice.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning from Monday, Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. until Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. According to the Winter Storm Warning, there is potential for 6-12 inches of snow accumulation with locally higher amounts.

Residents are asked to let their neighbors know of the upcoming State of Emergency and work together to make sure their street follows correct parking practices.

To learn additional updates as they become available, along with a GPS snow plow map, please visit www.kcmo.org/snow.