Snow Emergency Begins In Philadelphia 9 PM Friday
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A snow emergency will begin in Philadelphia 9 p.m. Friday.
"I suggest Netflix, pay per view, make sure you're all stocked up," says Mayor Jim Kenney.
READ: Snow Emergencies Declared Across Region Ahead Of Winter Storm
Mayor Kenney wants you snug indoors this weekend so city workers can clear streets and clean up after the storm.
For citizens, officials say a snow emergency means all parked cars must be moved off snow emergency routes for plowing. When relocating your car, park as far from the corner of the street as possible; vehicles parked too close to the corner impede the turning radius of plowing equipment.
If you do go out, city officials hope it will be to check on neighbors, or keep your sidewalk shoveled.
City law requires a 3-foot wide path on sidewalks within six hours of the snow stopping and homeowners are responsible.
Snow emergency information and a map of snow emergency routes can be found here.
Cars left on snow emergency routes will be relocated to accommodate plowing operations. Officials say if your car is moved, call 215-686-SNOW to find it.
Officials say the PPA will offer discounted parking in select garages during the snow emergency to help alleviate parking on the street.
The PPA will offer a rate of $5.00 for parking facilities starting 5 p.m. Friday until 7 a.m. Monday.
The list can be found here.
SEPTA will suspend service on all Regional Rail Lines, bus and trolley routes and the Norristown High Speed Line starting at 4 a.m. Saturday. But it will keep its Market Frankford and Broad Street Lines in operation during the storm, to help those that need to travel, specifically emergency service and hospital personnel.
The airlines at Philadelphia International Airport have canceled all flights on Saturday, and officials encourage folks to check their flight status before leaving for the Airport today and especially on Sunday. Call your airline or you can get updates at 1-800-PHL-GATE or look on the Airport website.
The Philly 311 Call Center will remain open this weekend to take calls for non-emergencies:
- Friday – extend until 10 p.m.
- Saturday – 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday – 8 a.m. – midnight
- Monday – open at 6 a.m.
The Philadelphia Water Department will open their customer contact center 215-685-6300 this weekend. Officials say citizens 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.
Officials say citizens should contact the Project Home Outreach Hotline (215-232-1984) if they observe homeless persons in need of assistance. During the call, citizens should provide the address, location, and description of the person in need.
Officials say citizens should contact the ACCT Philly hotline (267-385-3800) if they observe a dog or other pet outside during extreme cold. It is against City ordinance to leave pets outside in extreme cold and owners can be fined up to $500.
As for trash pickup, officials say normal Friday trash pickup had been pushed to Saturday due to the holiday, but it is now suspended.
Rec centers and libraries will be closed.
KYW Newsradio's Pat Loeb contributed to this report.
