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Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced today that the City declared a Snow Emergency as of 2 p.m. today. To coordinate the City’s snow emergency response, the Managing Director’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) activated the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Sunday at 12 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, NJ. issued a Winter Storm Warning from 7 a.m. Sunday until 1 p.m. Monday. If you must travel, visit the Winter Weather page for information on Winter Driving and the necessary items for a Vehicle Emergency Kit. Should you get stranded, remember to stay with your vehicle.
Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson stated that Streets Department crews will apply a brine solution to area roadways. Salt crews and equipment will be deployed throughout the City to respond to the precipitation. Crews will remain on duty to monitor roadways and to respond to problem locations and emergencies.
Prepare for the winter weather with these tips:
- Apply any commercial de-icer on steps and sidewalks early to prevent residual moisture from freezing over and creating icy conditions.
- Clear a sidewalk path at least 36” wide within 6 hours of the end of the storm as listed in the Philadelphia Code (10-720).
- Clear snow from neighborhood sewer drains to allow melting snow to drain.
- Be conscious of the environment – use de-icing salts only as much as needed. One pound of de-icer can cover 100 to 200 square feet.
- Salt should be applied as soon as a light accumulation has developed on the surface. This will break the bond between additional accumulations and the pavement surface, and will make it easier to shovel.
- A final light application of a de-icer may be required after removal is completed to melt the residual snow.
- Make sure you park your car as far away from the corner as possible. Cars parked too close to the corner limit the turning radius of salting vehicles.
- Stay tuned to local media for further updates.
- Check on sick and elderly neighbors.
- Bring your pets indoors.
To report a street in need of salting or plowing or for more information on any Streets Department program or service, call 3-1-1. You may also visit the Streets Department online at www.phila.gov/streets.
The City’s Code Blue remains in effect to provide additional support to the homeless. If you see a homeless person in need of assistance, please call the Homeless Outreach Coordination Center at 215-232-1984.
Deputy Mayor for Health and Opportunity and Health Commissioner Donald Schwarz reminds Philadelphians to take precautionary measures to protect themselves and their neighbors from injuries and accidents common in winter weather:
- Warm up with some stretching exercises inside.
- Start slowly and pace yourself. Shovel no more than five loads a minute; don’t shovel for more than 15 minutes without taking a break. Pause to stretch every five minutes by standing up straight. Don’t feel the job has to get done in one session.
- Push the snow. Don’t lift. If you must lift, use your legs not your back.
- Drink during breaks to avoid dehydration.
- Never throw over your shoulder. Twisting can strain the back.
- Dress warmly in layers with a hat. Cover your neck.
- Take smaller scoops of snow, keeping them light and small.
- Take a break if you’re beginning to sweat. Bodies lose heat faster in damp clothes, which makes you more prone to injury.
- Don’t smoke or eat a heavy meal before shoveling. It’s harder on the heart.
- Don’t hold your breath; this makes your heart rate and blood pressure rise
- In an emergency, call a doctor, or 911 for a medic unit, or go to an emergency room. Until medical help arrives, protect someone suffering from exposure to the cold with extra blankets and clothing.
Deputy Managing Director for Emergency Management Liam O’Keefe encourages Philadelphians to stay tuned to local media for updates. You can also visit the Office of Emergency Management’s website to sign up for emergency alerts, weather updates and transportation delays from ReadyNotifyPA, and follow OEM on our social media sites, all of which are available on the OEM website at www.phila.gov/ready.
