Update: Polk, Dallas Counties Under Tow Ban; Urbandale Snow Ordinance in Effect

Updated 10:28 p.m.

Both Dallas and Polk County are under a tow ban, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. That means that if you slide into a ditch tow trucks will not come pull you out until law enforcement gives the OK later Thursday.

The DPS website says: 

The Department of Public Safety's Division of the Iowa State Patrol is prepared to work though a dangerous blizzard begining Wednesday evening, December 19, 2012 and continuing through noon on Thursday, December 20, 2012.

"The smartest, safest thing Iowans can do tonight and tomorrow is avoid traveling--in town or on the highways and interstates," said Colonel David Garrison, Iowa State Patrol. "The National Weather Service clearly states this will be a dangerous storm with high winds and low visibility. Do yourself a favor and stay in this evening."

Our Earlier Story:

Urbandale's snow ordinance will go into effect at 10 p.m. due to the looming blizzard, according to the Des Moines Register.

Parked cars will not be allowed to park on any city streets until snow has been cleared from curb to curb, said Assistant Director of Public Works Tim Stovie.

You can read the city's snow and ice control policy here.

In preparation for the storm, Stovie told the Register he's ensuring crews are well-rested, equipment is ready and keeping an eye on the forecast.

The public works department has 14 dump trucks and eight pick-up trucks that will remove snow from 435 lane miles and 276 cul-de-sacs within the city.

Forecasts call for 6 to 10 inches of snow by Thursday morning in the metro.

Plowers benefit when the drivers stay off the roads and stay home, Stovie told the newspaper. His biggest concern is employees might be rusty at plowing snow because there were no major storms the past couple winters.

“You like to have a few warm-up snows, but that’s how it goes,” he said.

Also, the track at Frerichs Field next to Urbandale High School will close for public use today for the winter months. The track is expected to reopen about April 1.