High Winds Tonight, Wacky Weather, and Pedestrian Safety

Hi Everyone,

It's winter in Wisconsin, with the added element of sustained high winds forecast for this evening into the overnight hours with potential for sustained gusts up to 60mph. 

The temperature reading as I write this is 66 degrees Fahreneit, a record high in Madison for this date.

I'll leave aside the question as to whether this is indicative of climate change and focus instead on immediate concerns:

Wait to Place Collection Carts out for Pickup Until the Morning

In light of these weather conditions, you should wait to place your trash and recycling carts out for pickup until the morning. Collection carts can be blown over and spill contents into the road, creating a mess that homeowners would need to pick up. And the carts themselves can also blow away and roll for blocks.

Carts should be out for pickup before 7:00am to ensure pickup.

Consider Moving Large Items Until the Morning

If you have large items at the curb still waiting for the scheduled pickup, you may want to move the items off the terrace until after the threat of high winds pass. Large items can be strewn throughout the neighborhood during high winds, creating clutter and, depending on the items, could be dangerous.

Like collection carts, large items should be out for pickup before 7:00am to ensure collection.

Additional Information

Residents are also reminded to secure other items in their yards to prevent them from blowing away or causing damage.

More information about Streets Division services can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/Streets.

Contacts

Bryan Johnson, 608-267-2626, streets@cityofmadison.com
Streets Division - West Office, 608-266-4681
Streets Division - East Office, 608-246-4532

Reminders about Pedestrian Safety 

Winter weather will return this weekend and we'll soon have to deal with snow and ice on our streets and sidewalks.

Here is a list of locations throughout the City where you can get sand for your sidewalk. These are generally in large piles at different city-owned locations. The sand has some salt mixed in, and is a better option than straight salt.

Sand barrels are also available at various school crosswalk locations.

Here's the list of the locations of the sand barrels in District 13:

On Glenway St at Monroe St
On Cross St at Chapman St
On Baltzell St at Gregory St
On Gilmore St at Monroe St
On Randall St at Gregory St
On Sheldon St at Gregory St
On Monroe St at Leonard St
On Monroe St at Edgewood Ave
On Fox Ave at S. Prospect Ave
On Grant St at Monroe St
On Monroe St at West Lawn Ave
On Van Buren at Vilas Ave
On Harrison St at Vilas Ave
On Garfield St at Drake St
On St. James Ct at Charter St
On Braxton Place at S. Park St
On Wingra St at Eberhardt Ct
On S Park St at W. Olin Ave
On W. Olin Ave at Gilson St
On W. Lakeside St at Gilson St
On Rowell St at W. Lakeside St
On Lake Ct at W. Lakeside St

The "barrels" are repurposed recycling carts that have been spray painted with the word "SAND" on them or some of them have reflective stickers on them saying its sand inside.

A good way to prevent ice forming is to start shoveling at the first indication of accumulation. Frequent mechanical removal via shovel or snow blower prevents the snow from getting walked on, forming ice. Frequent removal also keeps ice from forming due to the freeze-thaw-freeze cycle.

If you must use salt, please consider a pet-friendly variety. And please follow these Salt-Wise guidelines.

Lastly...be careful, you don't want to slip and fall, injuring yourself like I did Saturday morning. I slipped and fell on my driveway taking my dog Bella out for her morning walk. At first I thought it was just a bad sprain, but by Sunday morning I had a friend take me to ER, where I learned I had broken my ankle. Yesterday, I had surgery, putting in a plate and five screws. No weight bearing for at least six weeks, which complicates the most simple of tasks. 

So many kind souls have reached out, offering to help, for which I am deeply grateful.

I hope you will take it from me and do everything you can to keep your sidewalk clear, ensuring your safety and those of your neighbors.

Take care, stay safe, and watch out for each other.

Tag