Any Nebraskan knows the weather can change in a moment’s notice so it’s important to always be prepared.
With snow right around the corner, it is time to dust off your coat and bundle up for another winter. Landscape Services offers reminders on how to endure a Nebraska Winter:
1.Wear proper clothing -heavy winter coat -gloves, scarves -shoes with traction
2.Be prepared with winter essentials in your car -ice scraper -cat litter -travel shovel -flashlight -jumper cables -first aid kit -nonperishable food -bottled water -battery operated radio with extra batteries
3.Be cautious and observant -allow for extra travel time -watch where you are going – keep an eye out for ice -be aware that Landscape Services is clearing the snow as quickly as possible
For Landscape Services, the cold weather is a reminder to convert our fleet over to snow blades and sanders and switch the rakes, in our trucks, for snow shovels.
When the snow begins to fall, it is up to Landscape Services to make campus safe and accessible for faculty, staff and students before morning classes begin. All personnel within the department help with the removal of snow by operating snowplows, sweepers, snow blowers or by shoveling steps and entrances by hand.
Both City Campus and East Campus are divided into areas that are assigned an equipment operator and or a crew of scoopers armed with snow shovels. The areas are prioritized to ensure that snow is removed in an efficient and effective manner.
The landscape managers for each campus initiates snow removal by calling employees on a calling-tree list and telling them what time to arrive for snow removal. Employees arrive throughout the night and work until campus is cleared for morning classes. Starting times for snow removal are determined by the amount of snowfall and the predicted weather forecast.
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to report problem spots to Landscape Services at (402) 472-2679.
Did you know? It takes Landscape Services approximately 24 hours to get campus completely cleared after the snow stops falling.
Landscape Services has 30 miles of sidewalks to plow and 84.5 acres of parking lots to clear.
Last winter, Nebraska received 41.6 inches total snowfall, ranking the thirteenth greatest seasonal total since 1900. For more Nebraska snowfall statistics visit: http://snr.unl.edu/lincolnweather/data/snowfall-statistics.asp
-Sara Nelson Facilities, Management and Planning
