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Toledo continues cleanup work after weekend snow storm

The City of Toledo is taking steps to address many concerns that are the result of the recent snowfall and cold weather.

TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - TheCity of Toledo is taking steps to address many concerns that are the result ofthe recent snowfall and cold weather.

Cleanup crews are outlooking for problem areas where snow is piling up on the roads. They say a lotof residents have been calling about residential streets that need a wider pathplowed.

"Now it's starting to warmup and it's starting to take the top layer of slow into slush," said DavidDurham, with the city. "That's what we're out doing here today is mainlypushing the roads back, taking the slush off and making it more drivable."

They are also respondingto complaints of drifting snow and street corners where the snow is piled sohigh it causes visibility issues for drivers.

Efforts are underway toclear not just the local roads but sidewalks, too. Toledo residents arerequired to clear the path in front of their homes, according to city code, butsome people have yet to break out their shovel.

One issue people say they'rerunning into is ice underneath the snow, and the snow has been packed down sotightly they need to chip away at it.

With temperatures rising,school will soon be back in session and things are slowly returning to normal.Whether they're walking to the store, school or work, those who walk in theGlass City need the sidewalks to be as clear as possible.

"It's been tough because I fell once on thesnow," said Cathaline Pritchett. "I got back up and got myself together, but it'sbeen a terrible experience."

The city code requireshome and business owners to clear public sidewalks on their property 24 hoursafter it falls. Those who don't could risk a minor misdemeanor.

Astemperatures are expected to rise in the next few days and the forecast callsfor rain, the city is being proactive to address possible flooding issues.Officials say residents can help by clearing out drainage system entry points.

Employeeswith Toledo Sewer and Drainage Services are working on the timely task.

"Wehave some crews out solely focused on clearing out inlets and salting inlets toprevent them from re-freezing," said Sewer and Drainage Services CommissionerDave Pratt.

Prattsays many of those entry points are covered with snow and they need to becleared out.

"Ourconcern is getting water off the street, making sure the inlets are open alongthe street edges and trying to get water into those and not pounding on thestreets where it could re-freeze or not ending up in people's yards," he said.

Hesays there's no way crews can get to all of the inlets in the city, soassistance from the residents is needed.

"Especiallynow before the melt starts and the snow's not super-hard," he said. "If acitizen knows there's an inlet in front of their property or even in anadjacent property."

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