Snow Emergencies Lead To Hundreds Of Towed Cars In Minneapolis, St. Paul

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Tow truck drivers are still picking up cars parked on unplowed streets and dragging them to the Minneapolis impound lot.

It's been like that for nearly three days, ever since the city imposed a snow emergency, which is designed to get cars off the streets to allow plows to get rid of all the snow. Cars not moved on time were ticketed and taken to the impound lot. Tow truck driver Jonathan Garcia has seen a few people rushing out of their homes to move their cars before they're hauled away.

"I saw a guy walking out in just boxers to get his car so he wouldn't get towed," said Garcia. "A lady just out in her bathrobe, no shoes, no nothing, just walked out in the snow."

Snow emergencies are well-publicized online, on-air, through automated phone calls and on electronic billboards. Still, Garcia is busy after every snowstorm.

"It happens every year," he said. "People don't pay attention."

Sunday was hectic at the impound lot, with dozens of people lining up in the biting cold to pick up their cars after paying hundreds of dollars in fees. A Wisconsin man going only by the name of Gary did his best to ease the pain.

"I went online last night and got all the business taken care of," he said. "I think I'm in very good shape."

While many are irritated about the entire process, Gary is doing his best to keep it all in stride.

"I've avoided it for 10, 20 years, and now I'm here," he said. "I get to join the rest of the dummies out here today, right?"

Monday is day three of the snow emergency in Minneapolis, which is adding to the more than 700 cars that have already been impounded.  St. Paul has called off its snow emergency, but not until after nearly 900 vehicles were towed.

To avoid having your car towed, here are complete snow emergency details for your city.