City Public Works and Parks Department crews are working fulltime to clear ice, snow and downed trees from major Wichita streets. Public Works crews are trying to make streets as safe as possible by clearing snow and ice and unclogging storm drain inlets so melting snow can drain. Parks Department crews are concentrating their efforts on eliminating hazards caused by tree limbs in public right-of-ways and alleys.
Downed trees and broken limbs which have fallen in residential yards and on other private property will eventually be picked up by City crews, but it is not a top priority. Residents who have broken limbs can place them next to the curb for removal by the City, but it will be several weeks before City crews can devote enough time and equipment to hauling them away. To help residents clean-up storm debris on their own, the City of Wichita is waiving dumping fees at the Brooks Landfill until the end of the year. Citizens who haul their own broken branches to the landfill will be allowed to dump them free. The offer does not apply to commercial businesses.
While many City workers will be using snowplows and salt spreader trucks to clear the streets, others will be on "pothole patrol" to repair damage caused by the freezing and thawing. As snow and ice melts and then refreezes, it causes cracks in streets to widen and turn into potholes. Keeping those potholes patched will prevent damage to cars and help motorists avoid accidents.