A snow emergency means that all vehicles must be removed from the snow emergency routes in order to plow. Residents are asked to park as far from the corner as possible to make room for crews.
The city has posted more information about snow emergencies and a map of emergency routes in the snow on PhiladelphiaStreets.com.
Vehicles left on Snow Emergency routes will be moved to other parking areas to assist with snow plowing. If your vehicle is being moved, call 215-686-SNOW (7669) and press option 4 to locate it. DO NOT call 911.
The city released the following additional data on Sunday afternoon:
Memories:
-Do not shovel or plow snow on the street. This practice is illegal, unsafe, and hinders snow activities. The fine for violating this can range from $ 50 to $ 300 for each violation.
-Create a sidewalk path at least 36 inches wide within six hours of the storm’s end.
-Clear snow from nearby sewer drains to allow melting snow to run off.
– Drivers must allow extra time, exercise patience and maintain safe driving distances.
How meteorologists predict winter storms
Collections for sanitation and recycling:
Due to the expected amount of snow build-up, sanitary crews and equipment will be diverted to snow operations. Therefore, all waste and recycling collections will be suspended on Monday, February 1.
This means that residents whose normal waste day is Monday must keep their materials for collection until Monday, February 8.
A decision on the rest of the weekly collection will be made early Monday based on the storm’s progression and shift operations from one day to the next. Sanitation Convenience Centers will be closed to the public on Monday, February 1 as crews will be on snow duty. Work on the center will resume on Tuesday, February 2, with normal opening hours from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The centers are open until Saturday. Visit philadelphiastreets.com for locations.
Information for companies:
All property owners and / or renters are responsible for clearing a 36-inch path on all sidewalks, including curbs, against the building or property within six hours of the snow ceasing to fall, even if the property is temporarily closed due to snow or COVID-19 restrictions. A fine of $ 50 or more may be imposed in violation of this code.
Outdoor dining establishments must take additional precautions prior to the storm. All outdoor dining setups should be secured, removing as many setups as possible, including tables, chairs, heating equipment and temporary structures. As stated in the City’s winter guidelines for outdoor dining, the city is not liable for any damage from plowing or snow removal, even if structures are permitted. Materials should be removed as much as possible to avoid possible damage and blockage of dining arrangements. Restaurants with unauthorized structures are reminded that their establishment is liable for any injuries sustained as a result of damage to the structure during and after the storm.
Food sites:
Hub of Hope’s meal service, offered by Muslims Serve at Thomas Paine Plaza, was canceled on Monday, February 1. There are no additional updates on the food or meal site at this time. The city will provide updates when available.
Tips to prevent injuries from shoveling snow
Access centers:
The Access Centers are closed all day on Monday, February 1 and Tuesday, February 2. Informal caregivers of students are called by the program staff to inform them of this change. Students attending entry centers should check with their individual schools about attendance as long as entry centers are closed.
Philadelphia School District:
With all students learning 100 percent digital, the Philadelphia school district does not have to implement a ‘snow day’ and cancel classes. All students are expected to log into their classes at their normal times. All family technology support centers, the district headquarters at 440 N. Broad Street and all school buildings are closed on Monday, February 1. All personnel designated as key personnel in bad weather will be contacted by their supervisor with reporting instructions, and will be compensated according to the provisions of their collective bargaining agreements, if applicable. All other staff are expected to work safely from home.
If the weather is determined to cause problems that could prevent the effective execution of instruction or learning, such as power outages, the district will make necessary adjustments to its instruction and curriculum and communicate this to our staff, students and families.
Archdiocese of Philadelphia:
Due to expected bad weather, the Archdiocese of High Schools and Parochial Elementary Schools in the city of Philadelphia will be closed on Monday, Feb. 1. High schools in the city of Philadelphia will be on a virtual flexible instruction day. Archbiocesan high schools and parish elementary schools in the suburban counties normally follow the decision of their corresponding local public school district and file closure status independently.
Free Philadelphia Library will be closed to in-building services.
City-run testing and vaccination sites:
City-run COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites are closing. The health department is working on rescheduling appointments. The health department recommends calling ahead to sites that are not operated by the city to check if the sites are open or to find out if they operate with different hours of operation.
SEPTA will post real-time travel updates on septa.org and @SEPTA on Twitter.
PHL International Airport: Travelers and those picking up travelers are encouraged to check their flight status and road conditions before departing for the airport on Mondays and Tuesdays. Call your airline, receive updates at 1-800-PHL-GATE (745-4283), or check the PHL International Airport website-phl.org. The airport has on-site salted roads, with snow removal and ice activities planned for the duration of the event.
Call centers open: The Philly 311 Call Center remains open during normal business hours on Monday and Tuesday (8:00 am – 8:00 pm) to answer calls for non-emergencies. Requests for salts and plows will not be processed during the storm. Once the storm has progressed, the city will announce when such requests will be accepted.
The Philadelphia Water DepartmentThe Customer Contact Center (215-685-6300) is open. Residents are encouraged to shovel snow from the front of fire hydrants and storm drains onto their block to drain melted snow into the city sewer.
Homeless outreach: The Office of Homeless Services released a Code Blue on Wednesday, January 27 at 3:00 pm and it will remain in effect until further notice. Throughout Code Blue, Philadelphia’s homeless outreach teams will patrol the streets in greater numbers, urging those who are homeless to enter and avoid prolonged exposure to the elements in dangerously cold temperatures. People do not need ID to enter shelters and can stay inside for the duration of the Code Blue. If you are concerned about someone being homeless, you can call Homeless Outreach anytime at 215-232-1984. Outreach is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. First responders can also transport people to the shelter for their own safety. Check out the Safer Shelter Initiative to learn how city-funded, privately run shelters protect residents and staff.
Pet Safety Awareness: Residents should contact the ACCT Philly hotline (267-385-3800 ext 1) if observing a dog outside during extreme cold (apart from bathroom breaks and short walks). Leaving dogs out in extreme cold without proper shelter is against municipal ordinance, and owners can be fined up to $ 500.
Philadelphia prisons: All Philadelphia Department of Prisons facilities will remain closed to civilian visitors due to COVID-19 precautions.
First judicial district: Due to the snow emergency, the First Judicial District is announcing that all courts will be closed tomorrow, Monday, February 1. The Philadelphia Municipal Arraignments Court for Bail Hearings and the Emergency Protection from Abuse Unit will remain open.
The Department of Parks & Recreation reminds residents that if a tree falls during a storm and blocks a road, or if it falls on a house, car, or other terrain, call 911. A team of arborists from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation are on hand to respond to emergencies with trees and they will come out to remove the hazard and any part of the tree that poses an immediate risk to public safety. Other parts of the tree that do not pose an immediate risk (such as tree trunks and stumps) will be removed later, so that the crew can focus on other safety risks in the city during extreme weather conditions. If a tree has fallen on electrical wires, call PECO’s emergency line: 1-800-841-4141. For other non-emergency fallen trees, residents can request through Philly 311.
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