Code Blues, Snow Emergencies Issued Due To Powerful Winter Storm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Code blues and snow emergencies are being announced ahead of a winter storm that is expected to dump six to 12 inches of snow in the area.

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Look at the list below to see which areas are impacted:

CAMDEN COUNTY: CODE BLUE

The Camden County Health Officer issued the Code Blue Emergency effective from 6 p.m. tonight continuously through to 7 a.m. on March 15. All Municipalities are expected to activate their Code Blue Response Plan to accommodate their immediate needs.

Persons seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality.  Additional resources are available by calling the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 999-9045, or by visiting www.camdencounty.com.

PSE&G is working to get a substation back online that is responsible for more than 4,000 homes without power.

"We have received multiple reports of downed trees and over 7,600 total power outages due to the storm. Please report any outages you experience to your utility company," said Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the Camden County Office of Emergency Management. "We strongly recommend that everyone to stay off of the roads. Even though the storm has cleared out of our area, the roads remain treacherous due to the frozen surfaces."

At this time all county roads are open and cleared, with the exception of Haddonfield-Berlin Road by the Marlton Avenue intersection in Gibbsboro due to flooding. That flooding is being rectified by a highway crew now, but motorists should look for an alternate route around the area.

NEW JERSEY: STATE OF EMERGENCY

In preparation for Winter Storm Stella expected to arrive in New Jersey tonight, Governor Chris Christie declared a State of Emergency, authorizing the State Director of Emergency Management to activate and coordinate the preparation, response and recovery efforts for the storm with all county and municipal emergency operations and governmental agencies. Commuters are asked to use extreme caution while traveling across the state.

"This severe winter storm is expected to produce tonight through Tuesday afternoon significant snow accumulations, winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour, freezing temperatures, widespread coastal flooding and hazardous whiteout travel conditions," Governor Christie said. "During these threatening conditions, I urge all New Jerseyans to remain off the roads so our first responders and public safety officers can safely and efficiently handle emergency situations."

New Jersey roads are expected to be impassable due to significant amounts of heavy, blowing, and drifting snow, low visibility and whiteout conditions, with the highest impact expected from late Monday night through Tuesday afternoon. Forecasted snow accumulations from five to more than 20 inches are expected in some areas of the state.

Due to the severe winter storm, the State of New Jersey has authorized the closing of state offices on Tuesday, March 14 for all non-essential employees. Essential employees should report to work on their regular schedule.

Road conditions will be available at the New Jersey Department of Transportation website at http://www.511nj.org/.

NEWARK, DELAWARE: SNOW EMERGENCY

The City of Newark has declared a snow emergency effective 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2017.

Residents and businesses on snow emergency routes must remove all vehicles from the street prior to 1:30 a.m. to avoid being towed.

"This storm has the potential to have a significant impact on our area, with accumulation occurring rapidly during the peak hours of the storm," said City Manager Carol Houck. "We urge residents to take this storm seriously and prepare accordingly. Neighbors are encouraged to check on the elderly and bring outdoor pets inside during the duration of the storm."

Due to forecasted snowfall, the City has instituted a category 4 winter storm response, which will require full crews for multiple shifts with an initial focus on keeping primary roads passable for emergency access, eventually moving onto secondary roads and neighborhood streets as the storm subsides.

A Code Purple has been called for Monday, March 13 and Tuesday, March 14. The host site will be Calvary Baptist Church on E. Delaware Avenue. The church will be open from 6 p.m. Monday through 6 a.m. Wednesday. Those who are in need of sanctuary from the cold weather are encouraged to call 302-544-0165.

PHILADELPHIA: SNOW EMERGENCY

Managing Director DiBerardinis announced that a Snow Emergency will be declared for the City of Philadelphia beginning at 9 p.m. today, with ticketing and towing to begin at midnight.

A Snow Emergency means all parked cars must be moved off Snow Emergency routes for plowing. When moving your car, park as far from the corner of the street as possible; vehicles parked too close to the corner get in the way of snow plows trying to turn corners.

Snow Emergency information can be found here; and a map of Snow Emergency routes can be found here. Cars left on Snow Emergency routes will be moved to other parking spots to assist in snow plowing operations. If your car is moved, call 215-686-SNOW to find it. Do NOT call 911.

The Streets Department has announced that trash and recycling collection for Tuesday are cancelled. Residents who have Tuesday pick-up are asked to hold their trash and recycling until next week. The Department will make a decision on Wednesday's trash collection tomorrow based on the status of the plowing operation. Residents should expect delays. There will be no collections picked up in driveways for the remainder of the week beginning Tuesday. Residents should place materials at curbside in the front of their homes all week.

The Streets Department is mobilizing more than 400 pieces of equipment, with support from Parks & Recreation, Public Property, Water Department, L & I and CLIP. The Department has over 50K tons of salt available to service the event.

PHILADELPHIA PARKING AUTHORITY

Due to the snow emergency the Philadelphia Parking Authority will not be enforcing meters, kiosks, or time limit violations on residential streets.

However, the PPA will be enforcing all snow emergency and safety violations.

Normal enforcement of parking regulations will resume when the snow emergency is lifted.

Vehicles entering the below Center City garages after 6 p.m. tonight, March 13, will be offered 24 hour $5 flat rate parking. The $5 snow rate will remain in effect until the snow emergency is lifted.

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

-AutoPark at Independence Mall 5th & Market Streets

-AutoPark at Old City 2nd & Sansom Streets

- Philadelphia Family Court Garage 1503-11 Arch Street – Going south on 15th Street, enter the garage on the west side just after 15th & Cherry Streets

-AutoPark at Jefferson 10th and Ludlow Streets

-AutoPark at the Gallery Mall44 North 9th Street

-Gateway Parking Garage 1540 Vine Street

-Parkade on 8th-801 Filbert Street

READING EMERGENCY PLANNING

Mayor Wally Scott held the first of a series of meetings with key departments this morning to continue the emergency planning for the impending storm.

* Recycle and trash collection has been cancelled for tomorrow.  The schedule will be pushed back one day.

*The City Public Works Department will run 20-24 trucks on 12 hour shifts round the clock until the storm ends.

*The Reading Parking Authority will open the Parking Garages at 9:00 p.m. tonight for resident parking.  Cars may remain in the garages until 6:00 a.m. Wednesday.  Cars must be removed by 6:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

*BARTA has not yet made a decision on it's service during the storm.

*Another update meeting has been scheduled for 4:00 p.m. today

Listed below are some reminders for residents:

*Please do not throw snow in the street as it makes for difficult travel and creates a problem for emergency vehicles

*Please dig out fire hydrants near your property in case an emergency arises

*Reserving parking spaces on public streets is not permitted

*Please help elderly neighbors and those with disabilities with snow removal

*All property maintenance inspections scheduled for Tuesday are cancelled.  You will be notified of the rescheduled date.

*For updates please consult the City of Reading website and social media pages

ROYERSFORD: SNOW EMERGENCY

The Borough of Royersford has declared a Snow Emergency to be effective March 13, 2017 at 2200hrs local.  Residents are asked to please move vehicles from the designated snow emergency routes to facilitate snow removal.

The following streets are affected as designated snow emergency routes:

·         Main Street

·         2nd Ave - Odd numbered side

·         5th Ave - Odd numbered side

·         Washington Street – Even numbered side

·         Walnut Street 800 & 900 Blocks only

·         Summer St. 300 Block only

Questions or concerns may be directed to the Royersford Office of Emergency Management at 610-721-4516 (24hr cell).

UPPER MERION: SNOW EMERGENCY

In anticipation of the upcoming snow storm, Upper Merion Township is declaring a snow emergency, effective 8:00PM on Monday, March 13 through 12:00PM on Wednesday, March 15. During a snow emergency, parking is prohibited on all designated Snow Emergency Routes, as well as on all cul-de-sacs until the
snow is cleared. A list of snow emergency routes can be found here. Residents are asked to park their vehicles in driveways to allow the snow plows to pass
efficiently and effectively. Weather information will be updated on all available channels, including the website, social media, UMGA-TV, and eNewsletter when appropriate. For more information, contact Todd Lachenmayer, Highway Superintendent, at tlachenmeyer@umtownship.org, or Allison Pimm, Chief Public Information Officer, at apimm@umtownship.org.

UPPER DARBY: SNOW EMERGENCY

Mayor Thomas N. Micozzie has declared a snow emergency for Upper Darby Township. This declaration is effect through 9:00 AM Wednesday March 15, 2017

Upper Darby residents must remember to move parked cars away from designated snow emergency routes until the emergency declaration expires.  V

"We want to remind citizens to stay off the roads, unless absolutely necessary," said Mayor Thomas Micozzie. "Not only is it dangerous for drivers, but it also makes it harder for our dedicated snow removal crews to do their job."

Tuesday's recycling in Zone 5 is cancelled; this area is predominately Westbrook Park, Secane, Primos, Hilldale, and the Penn Pines area. Township crew's will attempt to collected trash Tuesday in Area 2. Area 2 is mostly in the Highland Park area.

WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP: SNOW EMERGENCY

• Warminster Township is under a Winter Snow Emergency, effective March 13, 2017 @ 6:00 PM
• Warminster Township will be enforcing Ordinances' 625 & 702.
• Remove all vehicles parked on public roadways during the emergency.
• Please clear around fire hydrants in front of your dwelling to help emergency services.
• Snow plowing operations will be ongoing Monday evening and into Tuesday evening.