VIDEO: Don't try to travel if you don't have to is the theme of the day

SIOUX FALLS — It's only just begun.
The winter storm that was promised for several days descended on the Sioux Falls metro overnight into Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Strong winds were causing significant drifting on the edges and outlying areas of the city with the heaviest snow yet to come.
Sioux Falls officials held a storm-related briefing at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday to update plans for snow removal and emergency response.
The message was simple: Don't go anywhere if you don't have to.

"I really encourage the motoring public, unless you have a legitimate need to be out traveling, stay home and bunker there if you can," said Lt. Andrew Siebenborn of the Sioux Falls Police Department. "It's not worth the risk to yourself and if you do get stuck, obviously somebody has to come and get you and it's a difficult time for the responders to get around and even for the tow truck drivers."
A snow alert will be issued later today at which point there is no parking on the emergency snow routes. After that, it may be awhile before plows get into the residential areas, said Dustin Hansen, street operations manager for the city.
"It could be pretty rough until we get to the end of the week," he said.
Plow drivers are working 12 hour shifts during the storm, which could deliver more than a foot snow with continued high winds.
"This could be a long duration," he said. "It might be some time before we get into the residential streets because of the drifting on the emergency routes."
Now you can follow along with the progress of the snow plows down to the street level. The city has been testing a new tracking system and is making it available to the public with this storm.
The Snow Alert Tracker is available on the city's website by clicking here .
It also included on the city's mobile app, which is free on the various platforms.
The website and app also allow you to submit questions or concerns about the plowing, snowgates, sidewalks or damage.