(TNS) - They are the words that can strike a panic for anybody who parks on the street in Minneapolis or St. Paul: “Snow Emergency.”

Suddenly vehicle owners must scramble to find a safe haven for their wheels. Fortunately, both cites have an app for that.

We put them to the test to see if they really can help drivers avoid a ticket, tow and trip to the impound lot.

Both apps feature maps that show city streets colored green where it’s legal to park and red where it’s not. But don’t totally trust them. Be sure to click on the tabs for parking rules that apply to each day of the snow emergency.

That’s easy to do using Minneapolis’ app. The home page tells a user that a snow emergency is in effect, whether it’s Day 1, Day 2 or Day 3. Links below outline specifics for each day, with details on which side of the street to park on. There’s even a diagram for those who are picture-oriented.

The app also features buttons to sign up for e-mail and text alerts. The snow emergency hot line and a link to the city’s website also appears. Overall, it’s simple to use.

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