Through the winter months, when frigid temperatures and snowy conditions hit the area, everyone is urged to pay attention to weather advisories, avoid heating hazards and fire safety risks and take steps to remain warm. 

Road Conditions

When snowy weather is expected, the City’s Public Works Department monitors the forecast and will respond to road conditions. The City is prepared and stocked with salt, trucks and other supplies for the duration of the winter season. City crews will salt and plow as road conditions necessitate. For public safety, the City prioritizes the main (arterial) roads to ensure our police and fire departments can safely respond and travel during emergency situations. Collector routes that serve higher traffic are the next priority, followed by side roads, subdivisions and residential areas, and then alleys and cul-de-sacs. 

If you can avoid or limit travel when weather conditions are hazardous, please do so. If you must be on the roads, please be patient, cautious and leave plenty of space between your vehicle and others on the road. It’s especially important to give snow plows and salt trucks extra room to operate. We ask for your patience as our crews work to clear the streets as safely and quickly as possible. If it’s possible to utilize off-street parking and move obstacles (basketball hoops, for instance), please do so as that will allow our trucks the best access to clear City streets.

If you need to reach our Public Works Department in regard to our winter weather operations and road conditions, you can call during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 618-692-7535 or email publicworks@cityofedwardsville.com. You can also submit a service request online.

Heating & Fire Precautions

The following tips can help residents to avoid hazards throughout the winter months: 

• Don’t use ovens and stoves as alternate heating sources; these are potentially dangerous sources of carbon monoxide and fire. 
• If you are using a portable heater, plug it directly into a wall outlet — do not use extension cords or power strips for these heaters as they can easily start fires. 
• Keep portable heaters away from other items and never set anything on top of a portable heater. 
• Wear appropriate clothing when going outside. Add layers to increase warmth, and be sure to protect your face, ears and hands. 
• Be aware of your vehicle’s fuel level; don’t risk running out of gas. Keep winter supplies such as spare blankets, gloves and hats in your vehicle. 
• Generators and fuel should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages. They are useful if there's a power outage, but can pose a carbon monoxide risk.

Warming Sites

For those in need of access to warming centers, the United Way of Missouri/Southwest Illinois annually compiles a list of facilities that can provide shelter during specified hours or conditions. In Edwardsville, the following sites are available to serve as warming centers. Please note that holiday closures can impact availability; it’s suggested to call or check each site’s website in advance to ensure it’s operating. The United Way’s entire 211 list of warming centers can be found at: www.211helps.org/warming-sites/; information also can be accessed by dialing 211 day or night.

When temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) the following facilities will be available as warming stations during listed hours: 

• Edwardsville Public Library: 112 S. Kansas St. -- (618) 692-7556; www.edwardsvillelibrary.org
  Hours: Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 1-5 p.m. 
• Main Street Community Center: 1003 N. Main St. – (618) 656-0300; https://mainstcc.org/ 
  Hours: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
• YMCA Meyer Center: 7348 Goshen Road – (618) 655-1460; https://edwardsvilleymca.com/ 
  Hours: Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• YMCA Niebur Center: 1200 Esic Drive – (618) 656-0436; https://edwardsvilleymca.com/ 
  Hours: Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

When temperatures drop to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, the following facility will be activated:

• The Overnight Warming Location at First Baptist Church of Edwardsville: 534 St. Louis Street, Edwardsville. The location organizers will determine whether to open by noon on any day the activation threshold is expected to be met. That announcement will be made on the OWL’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OvernightWarmingLocations

Additional sites may be added as needed. In emergency situations, please call 911.

Emergency Assistance

If you find yourself in an emergency situation, call 911. Please use the Police Department’s non-emergency number for all other public safety needs (those that do NOT require urgent intervention): 618-656-2131.

Residential Winter Safety Tips

During periods of low temperatures, building water pipes are vulnerable to freezing. The American Red Cross offers these tips to help prevent frozen pipes:

• When the weather is very cold, allow water to drip from a faucet. Even a trickle of water can help keep pipes from freezing.
• Open cabinet doors below a sink to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes.
• Don’t set your thermostat too low at night or if you will be gone for a while.
• If you have water supply lines in your garage, keep the doors closed.

If it appears that your pipes have frozen, the American Red Cross offers these tips to help thaw them:

• If you turn a faucet on but the flow is just a trickle, a frozen pipe could be the cause. Pipes near exterior walls or where your water service enters your home are especially vulnerable.
• Check for broken or cracked pipes and know how to shut off your water.
• Apply gentle heat to a section of pipe with a blow dryer or NON-FLAME source or with towels soaked in hot water.