ADEL, Iowa — Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation said they are prepared for the snowstorm heading through the state Thursday morning.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has around 900 plows that remove snow and ice from the state’s roadways during the winter. The plows are stored at different garage locations across the state, including one site in Adel.

Dustin Conover is the Garage Operations Assistant at that site. He said all 10 of its plows stored at their garage are on the roads Thursday morning as snowfall rolls through.

These plows were preparing for winter weather hours before the storm reached Central Iowa. According to Conover, plows are used for other things during the year, so their first assignment when snow is forecasted is to equip the plows with the necessary materials needed to remove and treat snow and ice from the roadways.

Behind the garage are buildings where salt and brine are stored. Throughout the morning, crews were making sure each plow was stocked up with enough material before heading out for the snowy commute.

Conover is also advising drivers who will commute during the snowfall to be aware of snowplows.

“Just pay attention to the trucks. Give them some room and drive careful,” he said.

The DOT also posted signage on the interstates that snowplows may be traveling at or less than 40 miles per hour. They advise drivers to travel slowly and to avoid tailgating plows.