For all the latest on snow emergencies in Mankato,
call 507-387-9001, 24-hour service.

Snow and ice season information

How Mankato's snow removal process works

View a video to learn about Mankato's snow removal process. When removing snow and ice from Mankato’s 200 miles of city streets, planning and teamwork are key. Public works staff prepare for snow season and meet annually to discuss safety, review maps and assign drivers to routes located in one of Mankato’s 14 snow plow zones.

Mankato snow emergencies

Watch a Mankato City Update featuring information on Mankato's snow emergencies.

Mankato's snow and ice removal workers keep a close eye on the weather. Staff's goal is to apply an anti-icing on the streets before snow falls and ice forms because anti-icing helps return streets to normal driving conditions faster and minimizes the need for overtime.

The city of Mankato will announce when a snow emergency will begin and end. During a snow emergency there is no parking on Mankato streets so snow can be removed quickly and efficiently. The only exception is streets posted "seasonal no parking" (which only affects a small amount of streets in Mankato).

How the "seasonal no parking" exception works: For people parked on "seasonal no parking" streets, move vehicles to the signed side of the street until the snow emergency expires. Once the snow emergency expires, return vehicles to the unsigned side of the street.

Temporary parking is available at no cost in the Mankato Place and Civic Center Parking ramps during snow emergencies. Parking is also allowed in yards during a snow emergency.

Consequences for vehicles not being removed from city streets during a snow emergency include ticketing and towing of the vehicle in violation. Towed vehicles can be reclaimed at All American Towing located at 465 Poplar Street in Mankato. Contact All American Towing at 507-345-5005.

When are snow emergencies called?
Generally, snow emergencies will be called after receiving 3 inches of snow and/or ice. The media will be notified, the 24-hour snow emergency line updated (507-387-9001) and email and text messages will be sent to those who subscribe. In addition, sends information via Facebook and Twitter. Every reasonable attempt will be made to provide as much advance notice as possible before towing begins. Ideally, the need for any towing would be eliminated. 

Emergency response
During snow and ice conditions, emergency calls from police and fire are given top priority in snowplowing efforts. If an emergency situation arises during a snowfall or storm and the street is not passable, call 911.

*Exception:
"Seasonal no parking" streets (which only affects a small amount of streets in Mankato) are the only exception.  For people parked on the "seasonal no parking" streets, move vehicles to the signed side of the street until the snow emergency expires. Once the snow emergency expires, return vehicles to the legal side of the street.

Help us help you

• Keep sidewalks shoveled for everyone's safety. Section 6.03 of the Mankato city code says that any accumulation of snow or ice on a public sidewalk is a public nuisance if it is not removed within 24 hours and property owners can be charged for its removal.
• Relocate vehicles parked on Mankato streets every 24 hours to prevent towing.
• Adopt a fire hydrant to keep it clear of snow. Doing so helps give firefighters efficient access in the event of a fire. Call the city of Mankato at 507-387-8577 to adopt a fire hydrant.
• Call 911 to report the location and license plate of a vehicle that has been parked on a city street for more than 24 hours.
• Snow and ice removal is a difficult and time-consuming job. Patience is appreciated as city staff works diligently to restore streets to normal winter driving conditions.
• Shovels, snowblowers, sand and rock salt are all great items to have on hand during snow season.  Please do not shovel or blow snow on to Mankato streets.  It is a violation of city ordinance.

Going out of town?
This information may be helpful:

24-hour Minnesota Department of Transportation Travel Information
1-800-542-0220

Minnesota Department of Transportation web site

Snow and ice control information