Minneapolis on Tuesday released a new version of its Snow Emergency app for iPhones and Android devices.
In addition to notifying motorists that a Snow Emergency is in effect, Version 3.0 now allows motorists to access the same interactive street lookup map that is on the city's website and find out where they can and can't park their vehicles during each of the three days that plows are on the streets.
The app, an upgrade from the one first introduced in 2012, allows drivers to use the location services function on the phones to find out if their particular street has any Snow Emergency parking restrictions.
Motorists can open the app, click on "parking maps" and then open the map. The app will then mark the driver's approximate location and show in red where "no parking" areas are in effect. Those who downloaded last year's version of the app should update it to the current version, city officials said.
The app also allows users to receive text or e-mail alerts when Snow Emergencies have been declared
In addition to the app, Minneapolis has several other ways it notifies residents and visitors of Snow Emergencies.
- Hotline – By calling the automated 612-348-SNOW hotline, which includes information in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.
- The City's website – Go to www.minneapolismn.gov/snow
- Phone alerts – Minneapolis uses a phone alert system to notify residents when Snow Emergencies are declared. It is an automated notification system that can place thousands of calls per hour. You can add your cellphone or unlisted landline number to the alert system by signing up at www.minneapolismn.gov/snow.
- Email and text alerts – You can sign up to get Snow Emergency alerts automatically emailed to you, or texted to your phone. Go to www.minneapolismn.gov/snow/snow_esubscribe for more details.
- The media – Radio and TV stations and other news sources, including the Star Tribune.
- Cable TV – Tune in to cable channels 14 and 79. These channels will have information in several languages.
- Facebook – Like Minneapolis Snow Emergency on Facebook. Go to www.facebook.com/MinneapolisSnowEmergency.
- Twitter - @MinneapolisSnow. If you have a Twitter account, just follow us. Both the Twitter and Facebook pages will tell fans and followers when a Snow Emergency is declared.
