Everything Urbandale Residents Need to Know To Survive Winter Storm Draco

The first significant snow fall in... forever, is expected to take place this afternoon and evening. To make sure you're prepared, we're re-running our winter weather guide.

Are you prepared for winter weather? If not, we've got a quick list of ways to beat old man winter.

Download Apps, Print Off These Tips

Take a moment now to download apps to your phone, bookmark web sites, and print off important information. Keep it somewhere handy, because if your power goes out, you won't be able to use your computer.

Your smart phone can be your ultimate resource if your power goes out or if you're in your car or away from home. Make sure you have a car charger to charge it in case you lose power at home.

If you don't have a smart phone, make sure you have a good battery-operated radio and extra batteries to get information. A weather radio, with a battery back-up, is a good choice and can be purchased for about $30 at Walgreens and other stores. 

• If you have a smart phone, download the Patch app for iPhone and Android. We'll keep you up-to-date with the latest weather news and announcements. You can also follow @Urbandale.Patch on Twitter on your phone, computer or mobile device.

• Get alerts and advisories from the Urbandale Police Department via text messages, sign up with Nixle.com here.

• Follow the City of Urbandale on Twitter to be notified when the city puts its snow ordinance into effect. (That means you must move any cars off the street while snow plows clear them)  You can also find the information on the city's homepage.

• You can sign up for traffic alerts in the metro area via Twitter or text messages. Or view an Iowa winter-driving conditions map here.

• School cancellations also will be posted on television stations: KCCI (8), WHO (13) and WOI (5); and on radio station WHO 1040-AM.

• You can sign up for Polk County's emergency alert system, Code Red, here. You'll get an automated message on your phone for any emergency notifications in your area.

• Urbandale Fire Department has posted a pdf on winter safety on its website. Print it off and keep it handy.   

• Wondering where the heck to put your garbage and recycling bins when (or if) the snow piles up along the curb. Get the lowdown here.

• To report an outage, Urbandale residents should call MidAmerican Energy. Residential customers should call (800) 799-4333 and businesses should call (800) 329-6261.

• When the roads are bad, safety experts recommend taking public transportation to work. Call DART at 283-8100 to check on bus routes in Urbandale. The Urbandale Express Bus #92 picks up and drops off Urbandale riders at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and the Buccaneers Ice Arena. Check the schedule, and if you need a ride to and from the pickup points, call Urbandale's On Call bus at 283-8100. 

• Regular buses #4, #5 and #6 also pickup at the Merle Hay Mall LINK: http://www.ridedart.com/regular-routes.cfm

• Everything you've ever wanted to know about winter preparednessis on the Polk County Emergency Management's website.