(A) Travel Warning; Level I. The following conditions, requirements or restrictions apply under a Level I Travel Warning.
(1) Travel warnings may be issued whenever situations exist which may present hazardous driving conditions for motor vehicles on city roadways. Hazardous driving conditions which may affect roadways include high water, ice or snow, trees or limbs down on roads, utility poles or power lines blocking roads, damage debris on the roads or other situations.
(2) All warnings issued under this chapter shall be publicly announced by means of television and radio broadcasts located within a normal operating range covering the county.
(3) The termination of a travel warning shall be announced in the same manner when the condition or conditions which gave rise to the warning no longer exist.
(4) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, when a travel warning is issued, no unusual restriction on travel or parking of motor vehicles on city roadways are imposed or implied. Motorists are free to travel at their discretion, but should exercise caution to ensure the safe operation of their vehicle.
(5) A travel emergency issued pursuant to this chapter shall supersede any travel warning issued for the same event, roadways or area.
(B) Travel Emergency; Level II: Essential Travel Only Permitted. The following conditions, requirements or restrictions apply under a Level II Travel Emergency or Snow Emergency:
(1) Under a travel emergency, essential travel only, roadways are, or are expected to be, closed or impassable in major sections of the city and travel represents a risk of injury to motorists. When the primary hazard causing the travel emergency is a winter weather event, such as ice, freezing rain or snow, this particular type of travel emergency will be announced as a “Snow Emergency—Essential Travel Only”.
(2) Only essential travel shall be permitted. Essential travel includes travel:
(a) To and from work;
(b) To obtain essential medical care;
(c) To obtain essential medications;
(d) To obtain essential supplies of food or fuel; and
(e) To a place of safe shelter.
(3) Employers shall use discretion in implementing an emergency response plan for their employees.
(4) Travel or snow emergencies permitting only essential travel shall be publicly announced, as shall their termination, in the manner described in § 76.002.
(C) Travel Emergency; Level III: Travel Prohibited. The following conditions, requirements or restrictions apply under a Level III Travel Emergency or Snow Emergency:
(1) Under a travel emergency - travel prohibited, a major portion of the roadway network is closed or impassable, and conditions make it impossible to safely operate motor vehicles on the roadway. When the primary hazard causing the Travel Emergency is a winter weather event, such as ice, freezing rain or snow, this particular type of Travel Emergency will be announced as a “Snow Emergency—Travel Prohibited”.
(2) Travel is prohibited to all vehicles, except for the following personnel who are at that time engaged in necessary emergency actions:
(a) Emergency personnel includes rostered members of law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency medical services, search and rescue organizations, rescue squads, military, disaster relief organizations, partner organizations, emergency management and requested mutual aid personnel; and
(b) Critical occupations includes employees of utility companies, highway departments, wrecker services, fuel suppliers, hospital and healthcare organizations, news media and railroad employees.
(3) Travel or snow emergencies prohibiting travel shall be publicly announced, as shall their termination, in the manner described in § 76.002.
(Prior Code, § 75.03) Penalty, see § 76.999