District 2 Supervisor Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Archuleta update for Feb. 21 — County Declares State of Emergency for Record Setting Storm

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors are expected to affirm a State of Emergency Declaration on Tuesday, Feb. 26. due to the major snow storm that started late Wednesday evening. Chairman of the Board Art Babbott initially signed the declaration on behalf of the Board today.

The Declaration allows the County Manager additional flexibility to deploy resources throughout the County. For example, the County could deliver services such as road maintenance operations on non-county roads to allow emergency service personnel access to perform life and safety checks for County residents.

The Declaration also gives the County statutory authority to adjust schedules ensuring the safety of its employees and residents. As of the time of this release, County offices will be closed Thursday, Feb. 21 through the weekend and will reopen Monday, Feb. 25. Court services, including the County Attorney’s Office and the Clerk of the Court, will operate with minimal staffing Friday.

Emergency Management Services, Public Works and the Sheriff’s Office will continue to be fully deployed. The County Emergency Operations Center will also remain active until conditions change. During the closure, the County will continue to provide public services and be responsive to the needs of its citizens. People are encouraged to call ahead prior to trying to access any County administrative services or attend meetings.

The U.S. National Weather Service – Flagstaff is predicting potential record snowfall totals for the area dating back to 1915. The storm has already exceeded precipitation predictions which has caused roadways and travel conditions to worsen and become extremely dangerous.

Current Snowfall Levels as of 11:50 AM

Flagstaff Airport 22″

Flagstaff 24″

Sunnyside 19″

Country Club 18″

Doney Park 12″

University Heights 17″

Ponderosa Trails 21″

Parks 27″

Kachina Village 31″

Williams 24″

South Rim Grand Canyon 11″

North Ash Fork 12″

In addition to the above, another 8 inches was expected to fall today between 11 AM to 5 PM.

MORE SNOW ON THE WAY – – An Additional 11-17″ are expected through Friday afternoon.

National Weather Service Winter Storm Advisory remains in effect through 5 pm tomorrow, Friday. Current snow totals are up to two feet across the County. Total daytime accumulation is projected up to 18 inches today. This evening an additional 11 inches is projected.

County Public Works Snow Response Team is fully deployed with 20 plow trucks and 19 graders working across the County. Operators are reporting over 2 feet of snow across the County. Lake Mary Road is closed with the Mormon Lake detour until further notice. All other roads are open and passable, with snow drifts and patches of white-out. See the attached photos for some images from the field. The first is a photo at the Lake Mary Closure. Second is our Operator, Ernie, in his grader on Navajo Nation Road 21.

Flagstaff, Williams, Grand Canyon and Page schools are closed tomorrow. NAU and CCC have not yet announced.

County Emergency Managements continues to monitor storm impacts and response with the EOC through 1800 today.

ADOT Update

ADOT reports a number of slide-offs/vehicles on the side of the road along I-40 and I-17.

Northbound Interstate 17 is closed at State Route 179, about 12 miles north of Camp Verde, due to the winter storm that has created unsafe driving conditions, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. There is no estimated time to reopen the northbound lanes. While the southbound lanes remains open, ADOT is strongly encouraging drivers not to travel during the winter storm.

If you decide to travel in the higher regions of the county, slow down for safety, budget plenty of time and leave prepared for the possibility that you will be delayed by closures related to weather and crashes. Four-wheel-drive vehicles and chains are recommended in some areas due to heavy snow.

Winter weather and crashes have closed multiple highways in northern Arizona. Drivers should consider delaying travel during the current winter storm because heavy snow or crashes could make roads impassable.

The following highways are currently closed:

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, the free app is available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.