PHILADELPHIA – Managing Director Tumar Alexander announced that the Snow Emergency for Philadelphia has been lifted, effective at 6:00 p.m. today, February 18. 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 City 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. Primary and secondary streets have been made passable. Crews plowed the roads throughout the day and will focus its efforts on servicing residential streets that have not been plowed. Crews will continue to work throughout the remainder of the evening 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. However, we will continue to chip away to make residential streets passable. This does not mean roads will be completely clear of snow and ice but made passable for safe traveling. Crews will remain on duty to monitor road conditions and respond to service requests of impassable streets or icy conditions.

We ask for residents’ patience as we continue to treat roads. 

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: The Streets Department suspended trash and recycling collections on Thursday, February 18 so that crews and sanitation vehicles could be utilized for snow operations. Collections will resume tomorrow, Friday, February 19. Residents should expect delays as crews navigate through the snow and ice:

• Wednesday’s collections, which was scheduled for Thursday this week due to the Presidents Day holiday, are postponed until Friday  
• Thursday’s collections are postponed until Saturday
• Residents whose normal trash day is Friday should hold their materials until Friday, February 26
• Residents may set materials at their normal pickup location. Residents with rear driveway collections should expect delays as some rear driveways can be inaccessible when there is significant hard-packed snow and ice. Crews will continue to assess inaccessible driveways and attempt to pick up materials when sanitation trucks can pass through safely.  

Sanitation Convenience Centers will be closed to the public on Thursday, February 18 as crews will be working snow duty. Center operations will resume on Friday, February 19 with normal hours of 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. The centers are open Monday through Saturday. Visit philadelphiastreets.com for locations.

City Buildings: The City of Philadelphia government offices will be open to the public tomorrow, Friday, February 19. 

Food Sites: Sites will be open on Friday, February 19. Visit phila.gov/food to view specific site schedules.

Access Centers: Access Centers will resume normal schedule on Friday, February 19.

Free Library of Philadelphia: The Free Library will resume materials pick-up and limited in-building services on Friday, February 19. 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, Friday, February 19. 

Archdiocese of Philadelphia:  Parish and regional elementary schools in the City of Philadelphia will conduct virtual instruction tomorrow, Friday, February 19. 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. The City will announce when requests will be taken for salting and plowing. 

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, February 10 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) will apply normal rates at all PPA-operated Center City garages beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, February 19. To be eligible for the $5 snow emergency rate, vehicles must enter by tonight at 9 p.m. and exit the facility by 9 a.m. Friday, February 19.

NOTE: To receive the discounted $5 rate, customers must bring their ticket and pay at the PPA Management Office in each garage.

Additionally, the PPA will resume enforcement of all parking regulations including, meters, kiosks, and residential parking time limits at 6:30 a.m. Friday, February 19. 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, Friday, February 19.

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 phila.gov/ready.
• For more winter weather tips, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management online at 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.