Water Utility

Madison employees including Police, Fire, Streets, Water, Engineering, Madison Metro, Traffic Engineering, Building Inspection, Fleet Service and others are continuing to brave the cold to assure City residents that essential services are being provided.

Madison firefighters battled a house fire early today, the occupant and two cats are safe. Even though Madison Police called for a break in crime because of the frigid temperatures, not all have heeded that declaration.

Madison Police Department Parking Enforcement is suspending monitoring on-street parking meters and pay stations until noon on Thursday. Motorists will be able to park their cars at meters without monitoring and plugging the meters.

Street crews remain on duty and refuse collection is underway. Collections may be halted because of the cold affecting the hydraulic arms of trucks.

It is too cold to salt. Area roads are icy and motorists are being asked to slow down if they determine they need to go out at all. It is best to call ahead to your destination as many businesses, along with City, County, State and University offices are closed.

Madison Metro is continuing to provide free service and additionally using buses to transport patrons of area overnight and respite shelters. Metro was additionally at the scene of last night’s house fire, providing much needed shelter for occupants and emergency personnel. Please access mymetrobus.com before heading out for bus travel.

Temperatures will remain bitterly and dangerously cold, at least until Thursday afternoon. We may get additional snow Thursday into Friday and as we approach the weekend, temperatures will be climbing, perhaps into the 40’s. This will bring additional concerns for melting snow and possible rain. We are additionally reminding residents to assist City staff in clearing snow and ice from storm drains so water is not trapped on the streets, leading to flooding or possible ice conditions.

Complete updates on weather and city update is available at Cityofmadison.com.