Brookings crews, equipment ready for blizzard’s arrival

By Mondell Keck | The Brookings Register

BROOKINGS — The Brookings Register recently spoke with Public Works Director John Thompson on the city’s planning and preparation for the incoming blizzard, which is expected to begin later in the day Saturday (03-14-26) and continue through Sunday (03-15-26) and into the early morning hours of Monday (03-16-26). Here are his responses to our questions.

QUESTION: What plans does the city have to handle the impending blast from Old Man Winter?

ANSWER: The city follows its winter operations plan, which is available on the city’s website. Staff have been closely monitoring weather forecasts since early this week. As the storm approaches, staff will monitor street and intersection conditions 24/7. Monitoring includes physically driving city streets and reviewing data from intersection cameras and Road Weather Information Stations (RWIS), which are strategically located at intersections and bridges throughout the community. Equipment and staff will be mobilized based on these monitoring efforts.

During storm events, emergency access roads are kept drivable. Collector streets and residential streets are typically not cleared until snowfall has ceased. In cases of significant snowfall, the City may declare a citywide parking ban. For more information about the City’s Winter Operations Plan, visit https://www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/275/Snow-RemovalIce-Alert-Removal-Info.

QUESTION: What kinds of equipment does the city and its contractors have to contend with the wintry weather?

ANSWER: The city utilizes a fleet that includes:

• Motor graders
• Front loaders with plows
• Front loaders with snow blowers
• Dump trucks equipped with plows and sanders
• Skid steers
• Semi trucks with side-dump trailers

QUESTION: How many personnel are expected to take part in snow-removal efforts?

ANSWER: The city’s Public Works Department leads all winter operations with assistance from Parks, Recreation and Forestry, the Brookings Police Department, the city’s public information officer, and private contractors. During larger winter operations, more than 30 city employees and approximately 10 private contractor employees are typically involved.

QUESTION: How are the city’s supplies of sand and salt looking?

ANSWER: The city currently has sufficient supplies of sand and salt to manage the upcoming weather event and additional storms that may occur later in the season.

QUESTION: Do you have any advice for folks this weekend?

ANSWER:

1.)  Get notified:

The city implemented a new alert system in November. The city strongly encourages residents to sign up to receive alerts about snow operations and parking bans. Residents can sign up for this service in the following ways:

• Text-to-join: Text “BrookingsSnow” to 38276 to receive text alerts about snow parking bans.
• Email and/or text message alerts: Visit www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/alerts to sign up for email and/or text messages about snow parking bans.  
• Free mobile app: Download the free “myAlerts” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Be sure to toggle on Community Alerts. 

In addition to alerts, the city encourages residents to check the following for snow removal parking ban information: 

• SNOW Hotline: Call (605) 696-7669
• City of Brookings News Updates
• City of Brookings Facebook
• City of Brookings Instagram
• City of Brookings X (formerly Twitter)
• Media closelines: Brookings Radio, Dakota News Now and KELOLAND
• Television: Channel 9 on Mediacom and Channel 20 on Swiftel

2.)  If the forecast calls for a significant amount of snow, please remove your vehicle from the street prior to the storm.

3.)  Additional weather advice: 

• Please be patient. City crews are working to make the streets safe for everyone.
• Stay at least 70 feet (four car lengths) back when you are following behind snowplows and other snow removal equipment so the maintenance vehicle driver can see you. Remember that snowplow drivers have limited vision from inside their vehicles.
• Do not travel beside snowplows or other snow removal equipment. They can be driven sideways very easily by the force of the snow on the plow blade.
• Expect snowplows to make unanticipated maneuvers such as backing up and making wide turns. The amber warning lights on snow removal equipment are there to alert motorists and remind them to yield the right of way.
• Do not shovel or blow snow from sidewalks, crosswalks, driveways or parking lots onto public streets. It is a violation of City ordinance.

QUESTION: In closing, what other information would you like our readers to be aware of?

ANSWER: Additional information pertaining to the city’s winter operations and alerts, visit us at https://www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/275/Snow-RemovalIce-Alert-Removal-Info

— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].