Winter Preparedness Tips

Secure Private Plowing Services Now
Coconino County cannot provide snow plow services on private roads. For County residents living on private roads, one of the most important winter preparation steps is to consider securing professional plowing services now. Even if you live on a County road, a plowing service can clear windrows and driveways - services not provided by the County.

Sign up for Emergency Notifications
Sign up for emergency notifications at: www.coconino.az.gov/emergency.

No Parking on County Roads
Winter Parking Ordinance 2022-06 prohibits motorists from parking on county roadways between Nov. 1 and April 1 on a 24-hour basis. Residents are asked to park their vehicles 5 to 10 feet from the roadway to allow ample room for snowplows to pass. Please remove all private objects from County right of way (i.e.: yard art, planters and trash bins).

Prepare Your Home for Extended “Snow-Ins”
Winter storm events in our County can last several days. These storms can cause power outages and significantly hinder travel. In the event of a being stranded by a “Snow-In,” it is imperative to have enough supplies at home to weather the storm.

All County residents should have the following on hand: 

* Working carbon monoxide detectors (with battery backups) in all sleeping and common areas

* Three days of non-perishable food and water (one gallon per day per family member)

* First aid kit and extra supply of medication

* Personal hygiene supplies, extra clothing, footwear, gloves, blankets, sleeping bags

* Extra food for pets and livestock

* Flashlight, extra batteries, candles and a battery operated radio

* Alternate heat source (kerosene, wood, etc.)

* Full propane tank (if applicable)

* Extra set of car keys, cash, credit cards

* Snow shovels

* An emergency plan for the entire family

Winterize Your Vehicle
Winterize your vehicle now (antifreeze, wipers, battery, snow tires) and stock it with an emergency kit consisting of tire chains or cables, blankets, tow strap, jumper cables, flashlight, water, first aid kit, ice scraper, extra clothing, and appropriate tools. Remember to keep your gas tank at least half full to help prevent freezing in the fuel lines.

Plan Travel Accordingly
Good winter travel planning is critical for the safety of Coconino County residents and visitors alike. Stay aware and informed about incoming and ongoing storms through a weather radio or by visiting the NWS website at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/. Use the Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) www.az511.gov system for interstate travel information before you leave home. The County encourages all citizens to heed all NWS Winter Storm Watches and Warnings and to stay off the roads as much as possible during a storm. If you must travel, then let someone know your intended route and expected time of arrival.

Purchase/Renew Flood Insurance Now
The risk from winter “rain-on-snow” flooding is real. A separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) covers damage to your home and belongings caused by flooding. Purchase or renew your flood insurance through www.floodsmart.gov or by calling 1-800-720-1093. Please note that when purchasing a flood insurance policy, there is a 30-day waiting period for coverage to become effective.

Additional Information
For questions about snow removal operations and related road conditions, please contact the following:

* Emergencies: To report snow-related road emergencies, please call 9-1-1.

* Coconino County: For County maintained roads, please call Public Works at 928-679- 8300 during normal business hours (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Follow Coconino County on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CoconinoCounty and Twitter at www.twitter.com/CoconinoCounty for updates on road and weather conditions as they become available.

* City of Flagstaff: Please call either 928-213-2175 or 928-774-1605 during normal business hours.

* Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT): For highway road conditions, please call 5-1-1 or visit ADOT’s online Traffic Operations Center at www.az511.gov.

* National Weather Service (NWS): For weather information about winter storms, please visit the NWS web page at www.weather.gov/flagstaff.