Snow Emergency to be lifted, effective at 5 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA – Acting Managing Director Vanessa Garrett Harley announced that the Snow Emergency for the City of Philadelphia will be lifted, effective at 5 p.m. today, January 29. 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 Acting Managing Director Vanessa Garrett Harley. “I would like to thank our Streets Department and all other agencies for their snow-fighting efforts and for working hard  to get our city back to normal business as quickly as possible.” 

The Streets Department continues its snow operations. Crews are completing making all primary and secondary streets passable. They are competing with high winds and drifting snow blowing back into the streets. Crews will continue treating the roads throughout the day and will be focusing efforts on servicing residential streets throughout the night. They will remain on-duty overnight to monitor roadways and respond to problem locations and emergencies.

“This storm created several challenges including the high winds, drifting snow and freezing temperatures. The high winds can make it challenging as crews must repeat treating the same  roads due to the winds blowing the snow back into the streets,” said Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams. “However, we will continue to chip away to make all 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 Monday, January 31. 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 three (3) feet within six hours of the end of the storm. 
  • Clear snow from neighborhood sewer drains to allow melting snow to drain. 
  • Keep fire hydrants clear. Shovel 3 to 5 feet around your block’s hydrant so firefighters can gain access safely during an emergency response. 
  • Motorists should allow extra time, exercise patience and maintain safe driving distances.  

Sanitation and Recycling Collections: Sanitation trucks have been equipped with plows to assist with snow operations. Sanitation Convenience Centers will not be open on Saturday, January 29 to allow crews to assist in winter weather efforts. Convenience Centers will resume operations Monday, January 31.

PlowPHL: Use the snow app, PlowPHL, an interactive map that allows residents to track and monitor the status of the City’s plowing and salting operations. PlowPHL is the fourth and final web mapping tool on the StreetSmartPHL platform.

Call Centers Open: Residents can submit a service request or report an issue online or through the Philly311 mobile app, available on App Store and Google Play. Requests for salting and plowing will not be taken during the storm. Residents can submit requests for salting and plowing to 311 beginning Monday, January 31. 

SEPTA will continue to post real-time travel updates at 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 leaving for the airport on Saturday and Sunday. Call your airline, get updates at 1-800-PHL-GATE (745-4283), or check the PHL International Airport website—phl.org. The airport has snow removal and deicing operations planned for the duration of the event. 

Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA): Normal rates will apply at all PPA-operated Center City garages on Sunday, January 30. In order to be eligible for the $5 snow emergency rate, vehicles must exit by 9 a.m. Sunday, January 30. 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, and residential parking time limits at 8 a.m. Sunday, January 30. All parking safety regulations remain in effect.

Stay Informed:

  • Tune to local news for weather updates.
  • Sign up for free emergency alerts and weather updates from ReadyPhiladelphia by texting READYPHILA to 888-777 for free phone alerts or customize free text and email alerts by visiting the Office of Emergency Management’s website 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.
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