DSM Public Works

🚨 📢 Don't forget the annual statewide #tornado #drill will take place on Wednesday, March 25, beginning at 10 AM. Your participation is key to enhancing community ✅ preparedness. It's also a great time to review communication plans. Ready.iowa.gov #ReadyIA #SWAW

Today's #SWAW focus = tornado safety. 🌪️ There is a lot of misinformation about tornadoes. When tornado myths are believed, it can be life-threatening. Know the difference between #tornado fact & fiction. Ready.Iowa.gov/tornadoes #ReadyIA

It's day 2 of #SWAW, & today's focus= 🌪️. Do you know where to go? Tornadoes can destroy buildings, flip cars & create deadly flying debris. Make a plan & always know where to go wherever you may be! Ready.iowa.gov/tornadoes #ReadyIA

It only takes 1 strike of lightning ⚡️ to change your life forever, either by direct or indirect contact. If a thunderstorm is threatening, & you hear thunder or see #lightning, it’s imperative to seek shelter. Ready.iowa.gov #ReadyIA #SWAW

Today is the start of Iowa’s Severe Weather Awareness Week. Today we'll focus on lightning safety! If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to pose an immediate threat. When thunder roars go indoors! #SeverePrep #IAwx #SWAW

It's #SWAW⚡️safety day! Did you know that outdoor activities are responsible for 6 out of 10 lightning deaths? According to @LtgSafeCouncil, the activities that contribute the most are water-related, like fishing, boating, & swimming. Ready.iowa.gov #ReadyIA

It's #SWAW, & today's focus is ⚡️ safety. #Lightning 🌩️ can be scary, damaging & potentially deadly, but not everything you’ve heard about it is true. Know the difference between lightning fact & fiction. Ready.iowa.gov/severe-thunder… #ReadyIA

✅ UPDATE: Snow Ordinance lifted. Spreaders continue to apply salt to main roadways, but all parking restrictions have been lifted. Remember, the latest on snow removal and parking restrictions is always available at DMSnow.org.

🚨 I-80 WEST CLOSURE UPDATE: 🚨All lanes of I-80 are closed in both directions from mile marker 27 at the I-880 interchange to the Jordan Creek Pkwy. exit at mile marker 121 in West Des Moines. Conditions are treacherous. Stay in - law enforcement has responded to many incidents!

⚠️TRAVEL ALERT: Central Iowa⚠️ Temperatures are plunging and roads are turning to ice. Dangerous 60 mph wind gusts are causing near-zero visibility in open/rural areas. Many roads are closed. See 511ia.org for the latest. Stay home tonight if you can. #IAwx

A band of heavy snow and whiteout conditions are developing over parts of north central to west central Iowa and moving eastward. Wind gusts are now over 50 mph within that band. Expect quickly deteriorating conditions as the snow band moves east this afternoon. #iawx

❄️SNOW ORDINANCE: No parking on SNOW ROUTES beginning at 7PM Sunday. Salt spreaders are currently patrolling main roads and applying material as needed. Full plowing efforts will begin after 7PM if necessary. Please use caution on the road. Updates at DMSnow.org.

🚨SUNDAY, MARCH 15 ROAD CLOSURES!🚨Make plans for 2 closures this afternoon. Earlier rain on freezing pavements, heavy snow, and blizzard/whiteout conditions will make many roadways impassable. For more info. and and traveler shelter services/parking: iowadot.gov/news/2026-03-1…

Snow and blowing snow has dropped visibility to one quarter mile or less over northwest Iowa with travel not advised. Expect conditions to deteriorate through the afternoon over much of central Iowa. Plan accordingly and be safe! #iawx

⚠️ 🚨 Iowa officials will close all lanes in both directions of I-35 from U.S. 30 at Ames north to the Minnesota state line starting at 3:00 PM central time due to high winds and whiteout conditions. iowadot.gov/news/2026-03-1…

The storm's impacts have reached farther south down to U.S. 20 in NW Iowa since our last report at 6 a.m. Road conditions are deteriorating fast with completely-covered and partially snow covered roads and segments of ice on state roads. This is the calm before the winds.

Stay weather aware, Des Moines!

🚨Blizzard conditions with very dangerous travel conditions developing today and tonight.🚨 What makes this event unique? Heavy snow is expected over parts of Iowa but these amounts are not rare for March. See the following slides for what makes this a rare/very rare event...1/3

Prior to the impactful winter storm on Sunday, rain is expected with a few thunderstorms possible. A stronger storm could produce hail up to quarter size (1"). Other storms may produce copious amounts of small hail.

A winter storm is likely this weekend in #Iowa. Stay weather alert and make sure to check 511ia.org before travel. Ready.iowa.gov/winter-weather #ReadyIA