Northern Arizona Braces For Winter Storm

As the National Weather Services continues to predict anywhere from 1” to 35” of snowfall throughout the region, several government agencies and school districts have announced days they will be closed.

Meteorologists are predicting that this winter storm could be one of the top 10 largest snowstorms that has ever hit the state. The bulk of the storm is expected to hit the region starting Thursday afternoon.

Coconino County Emergency Management services are also preparing for the storm.

Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) activated an Emergency Operations Center in anticipation of the impending winter storm.

The center will be open from 6 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 21 to 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22. Personnel are coordinating services in preparation for the upcoming storm.

The storm is set to start Wednesday night and continue into Friday. The U.S. National Weather Service predicts 4-8 inches of snow in the lower elevations of the County and as much as 3 feet in the higher elevations. Winds up to 20-30 mph are expected throughout the storm.

Coconino County Emergency Management is working with County Public Works, Law Enforcement agencies, the City of Flagstaff, the Arizona Department of Transportation, utility companies and other community partners to ensure a coordinated response for any adverse impact the storm may have on residents. CCEM and the American Red Cross are preparing emergency shelters in Flagstaff, Williams and Forest Lakes if they become necessary.

CCEM is also monitoring storm effects, road conditions, closures, power outages and any other effects on mass transit. The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs is working with CCEM to assist in the County’s emergency response.

Travel throughout Northern Arizona and Southern Utah is expected to be hindered, but if you MUST travel, make sure you take food, water, blankets, a first aid kit and other emergency tools with you in case you get stranded.

Pictures of the area from Thursday morning

CLOSURES

Here is a list of school and government agency closures as of Thursday, February 21, 2019.

SCHOOL CLOSURES

Closed Thursday & Friday:

Holbrook Unified School District
Page Unified School District
Classes have been cancelled for students, teachers, and staff
Administrators and 12-month employees are expected to work if they can make it in
Payson Unified School District
Tse’Yaato’ High School

Closed Thursday

Williams Unified School District
School cancelled for Thursday, February 21 due to storm forecast. Falcon Friday school is cancelled. All activities scheduled for Thursday and Friday have been cancelled. Jr High basketball tournament is rescheduled for next week. No open gym Thursday night.
Flagstaff Unified School District
A determination on school and district services for Friday will be made Thursday afternoon
Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District
All schools closed
All school events, field trips and sports have been cancelled for Thursday and Friday
District will monitor conditions to make a decision for Friday
Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District
Schools closed
After-school activities, practices, and athletic events are also cancelled
Late Bus for after-school activities canceled for the remainder of the week
District will monitor conditions to make a decision for Friday
Northern Arizona University – Flagstaff campus
School will monitor weather and road conditions and inform students of any changes

Closed Friday

Winslow Unified School District

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is closing 12 offices in northern and northeastern Arizona for Thursday, February 21, in anticipation of poor driving conditions due to the incoming snowstorm.
Offices Closed:
Chinle
Cottonwood
Flagstaff
Holbrook
Kingman
Page
Payson
Prescott
Show Low
Tuba City
Window Rock
Winslow
MVD will review weather conditions as needed to see if closures will be required for Friday as well. If any of the affected MVD offices re-open for business on Friday, road tests will not be offered in the region.

DES offices throughout the state will be closed tomorrow and Friday.

Offices Closed:
Bisbee
Chinle
Cottonwood
Eager
Flagstaff
Globe
Kayenta
Kykotsmovi
Page
Payson
Prescott Valley
Show Low
Tuba City
Whiteriver
Window Rock
Winslow

City of Flagstaff

Will open at 8am Thursday with an early closure planned for 3pm. This could change based on weather conditions.
Trash and recycling collection for residential and commercial businesses is cancelled Feb. 22. If your garbage and recycling is not collected on your regular scheduled collection day this week, leave your cart at the curb. Collection will be conducted as conditions become safe.

Lake Mary Road Closure

Coconino County Public Works Department closed a seven-mile stretch of Lake Mary Road, also known as Forest Highway-3 at 4pm today due to high winds and drifting snow from the storm that is expected to impact the area tonight.

During this closure traffic will detour along the West Side Mormon Lake Road, which loops Mormon Lake and goes through Mormon Lake Village.

The closure will be in effect at the north entrance of Mormon Lake (near the scenic overlook) to the south entrance of Mormon Lake, which is about 35 miles southeast of Flagstaff. This section of Lake Mary Road will remain closed until weather conditions allow for the County to safely reopen the roadway.

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