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Long Beach leaders credit crews for round‑the‑clock snow response, acknowledge gaps in clearance and storage
Summary
City officials described an intensive emergency response after a rare storm that dropped 9–10 inches of snow and triggered an unprecedented cold snap; Public Works detailed equipment, salt use and storage constraints and said hauling and refreezing slowed street clearance.
City officials on Feb. 3 described the scope and limits of the city’s response to last week’s storm, saying crews worked around the clock but that unusually cold temperatures complicated snow removal.
City Manager Dan Creighton opened the report by thanking public‑works staff and noting event changes tied to safety, including postponing the Long Beach Polar Bears plunge and the Snowflake Race. Commissioner of Public Works Ken Arnold then summarized operations: the city issued an emergency notice Friday; mobilized 45 pieces of equipment; pre‑applied and applied more than 200 tons of salt before and during the event; and deployed crews through midnight Sunday with follow‑up overnight shifts the next week. Arnold said approximately 800 tons of salt have been used this season.
Arnold told the council that the prolonged cold — the coldest stretch the city has seen since 1979 — meant salt largely lost melting effectiveness below about 20°F and that many snow piles refroze into hard, compact masses requiring hauling rather than simple plowing. He said in some areas 40–60 vehicles were not moved in time after the emergency notice, delaying clearing and limiting space to push and remove snow.
Council members asked whether the requested purchases and current stock would be sufficient. Staff said the salt stockpile is about 100 tons and the administration has requested funds to buy roughly 200 more tons to get through winter unless more major storms occur. Ken Arnold said proper covered storage (a dome) would extend salt life by keeping it dry.
Residents and public‑commenters pressed the council for equitable clearing — asking that municipal buildings and centers serving seniors be prioritized — and urged the city to review lease language that places plowing responsibility on non‑profits that operate in city‑owned facilities.
The council said staff will review leasing responsibilities and consider operational changes to reduce long snow‑pile creation and hauling needs. The next regular council meeting is set for Feb. 20 or Feb. 17 (staff confirmed the date at the close of the meeting).
