Crews in Covington and Maple Valley were working continuously early this week to deal with one of the biggest snow storms in more than a decade.

Steve Clark, public works director for Maple Valley, wrote in an email that his staff were putting in a number of hours to keep main roads clear in the city.

“Our crews have been working 12 hour shifts to lay deicer, sand and plow snow,” Clark wrote. “Our advance planning, i.e. stockpiling sand, deicer, preparing our trucks for use and being at work prior to the storm, has enabled our staff to monitor and respond to the conditions as they develop.”

A map of Maple Valley’s snow plow routes can be found on the city’s website, http://www.maplevalleywa.gov/index.aspx?page=415.

Covington’s Public Works maintenance team started preparing roads at 8 a.m. the Saturday before the storm hit, explained Glenn Akramoff, the city’s public works director in an email on Monday.

“Things have gone well so far. I just received an update from the National Weather Service,” Akramoff wrote.  “They are comparing this event to the 1996 event. If you check the history of that one you will find it was a big one.”

As both cities prepared for more snow, with predictions of anywhere from six to 14 inches for the lowlands, Akramoff said he hoped drivers would be smart when on the roads.

“We will keep the Covington streets as clear as possible focused on the main routes and keeping fire and police moving,” he wrote.  “Everyone should be prepared for winter travel and stay home if you don’t have to travel. Also do not abandon your cars on the roadway. It is dangerous to all the traveling public mostly to the first responders and for sure those who are risking their well being plowing the roads to keep everyone else safe.  The longer people stay off the streets the faster they will be in better condition.”