PHILADELPHIA – Managing Director Tumar Alexander announced that the Snow Emergency for the City of Philadelphia has been lifted, effective at Noon today, February 2. This means that vehicles can once again park on Snow Emergency routes. If your vehicle was relocated during the Snow Emergency, please call 215-686-SNOW to find it. Do not call 911. 

“Motorists should allow extra time, exercise patience and maintain safe driving distances. Black ice on the roadway remains an issue for vehicular traffic, and the region is still under a wind advisory, with the possibility of downed trees and power lines,” said Managing Director Tumar Alexander. “I would like to thank our Streets Department and all other agencies for their snow-fighting efforts and working to get our city back to normal business as quickly as possible.” 

The Streets Department continues its snow operations. All primary and secondary streets have been made passable. Crews plowed the roads overnight and will be focusing its efforts today on servicing residential streets that have not been plowed. Crews will continue to work throughout the remainder of the week to service all roads.

“This storm created several challenges including the combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. The freezing temperatures can make it challenging to plow streets,” said Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams. “However, we will continue to chip away to make all residential streets passable. This does not mean roads will be completely clear of snow and ice but made passable for safe traveling.”    

The City asks for residents’ patience as crews continue to treat roads. Residents can submit requests for salting and plowing to 311 beginning Wednesday, February 3 at Noon. Crews will remain on duty to monitor road conditions and respond to service requests of impassable streets or icy conditions.

Reminders: 

• Do not shovel or plow snow into the street. This practice is illegal, unsafe and hinders snow operations. The penalty for violating this can range from $50 to $300 for each violation. 
• Clear a sidewalk path at least 36 inches wide within six hours of the end of the storm. 
• Clear snow from neighborhood sewer drains to allow melting snow to drain. 
• Motorists should allow extra time, exercise patience and maintain safe driving distances.  

Sanitation and Recycling Collections: Collections will resume tomorrow, Wednesday, February 3. Residents whose normal trash day is Wednesday must set their materials out for pickup in front of homes at the curb. There will be no driveway collections for the remainder of this week to prevent sanitation trucks from getting stuck in compacted snow in driveways.  Residents should expect delays as crews navigate through snow and ice. All trash and recycling collections were suspended Monday, February 1 and Tuesday, February 2. Residents whose normal trash day is Monday or Tuesday must hold their materials for collections until next Monday, February 8 or Tuesday, February 9.

Sanitation Convenience Centers have resumed operations today, Tuesday, February 2 with normal hours of 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. The centers are open through Saturday. Visit philadelphiastreets.com for locations.

City Buildings: The City of Philadelphia government offices will be open to the public tomorrow, Wednesday, February 3. 

City-run Testing and Vaccination Sites: City-run COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites will be open tomorrow, Wednesday, February 3. For all of the non-City sites, including hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, residents should call ahead to check their status.

Food Sites: Sites will be open on Wednesday, February 3. Visit phila.gov/food to view specific site schedules.

Access Centers: Access Centers will resume normal schedule on Wednesday, February 3.

Free Library of Philadelphia: The Free Library will resume materials pick-up and limited in-building services on Wednesday, February 3. The Free Library’s virtual programming continues and the call center 1-833-TALK FLP (825-5357) is also open.

School District of Philadelphia: Virtual instruction will resume on a normal schedule and all offices and buildings will reopen starting tomorrow, Wednesday, February 3. 

Archdiocese of Philadelphia:  Parish and regional elementary schools in the City of Philadelphia will operate on a two-hour delay tomorrow morning, Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Parochial elementary schools in the suburban counties normally follow the decision of their corresponding local public school district and submit closure status independently.

Call Centers Open: The Philly 311 Call Center remains open during normal business hours (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) to take calls for non-emergencies. Residents can submit requests for salting and plowing to 311 beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, February 3 at Noon. 

The Philadelphia Water Department’s customer contact center (215-685-6300) will be open. Residents are encouraged to shovel snow from the fronts of fire hydrants and storm drains on their block to allow snow melt to drain to the city sewer system.

Homeless Outreach: The Office of Homeless Services issued a Code Blue on Wednesday, January 27 at 3 p.m., and it will remain in effect until further notice. Throughout the Code Blue, Philadelphia’s homeless outreach teams will patrol the streets in greater numbers, urging individuals experiencing homelessness to come indoors and avoid prolonged exposure to the elements amid dangerously cold temperatures. People do not need ID to enter shelters, and they can remain indoors throughout the duration of the Code Blue. If you are concerned about someone who is homeless, please call Homeless Outreach at 215-232-1984 at any time. 

Outreach is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. First responders can also transport people to shelter for their own safety. Review the Safer Shelter Initiative to learn how City-funded, privately operated shelters keep residents and staff safe.

Pet Safety Awareness: Residents should contact the ACCT Philly hotline (267-385-3800 ext 1) if they observe a dog outside during extreme cold (aside from bathroom breaks and short walks). It is against City ordinance to leave dogs outside in extreme cold without proper shelter, and owners can be fined up to $500.

Information for Businesses: All property owners and/or tenants are responsible for clearing a 36 inch path on all sidewalks, including curb cuts, abutting the building or premises within six hours after the snow has ceased to fall—even if the establishment is temporarily closed due to snow or COVID-19 restrictions. A fine of $50 or more can be imposed in violation of this code.

Establishments with outdoor dining need to take additional precautions. All outdoor dining setups should be secured, removing as much of the setups as possible—including tables, chairs, heating equipment, temporary structures. As noted 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 cleared from the right of way as much as possible to avoid possible damage and blocking of dining setups. Restaurants with unpermitted structures are reminded that their establishment is liable for any injuries suffered due to damage from the structure during and after the storm.

SEPTA will continue to post real-time travel updates at septa.org and @SEPTA on Twitter.

Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA): PPA will resume enforcing all parking regulations, including meters, kiosks, and residential parking time limits at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, February 3. All parking safety regulations remain in effect.

PHL International Airport: Travelers and those picking up travelers are encouraged to check their flight status and road conditions before leaving for the airport. Call your airline, get updates at 1-800-PHL-GATE (745-4283), or check the PHL International Airport website—phl.org. 

First Judicial District: The First Judicial District announced that courthouses will be open tomorrow, Wednesday, February 3.

Philadelphia Prisons: All Philadelphia Department of Prisons facilities remain closed to civilian visitors due to COVID-19 precautions.

Stay Informed:

• Tune to local news for weather updates.
• Sign up for emergency alerts and weather updates from ReadyPhiladelphia at www.phila.gov/ready.
• For more winter weather tips, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management online at www.phila.gov/ready.
• For official updates from the City, follow @PhilaOEM on Twitter or Facebook.
• Other City Twitter accounts to follow for information: @PhiladelphiaGov, @Philly311 and @PhilaStreets.