Mayor Kenney Holding Off, For Now, On Declaring Snow Emergency
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Just 17 days into his first term, it's Mayor Jim Kenney's first snow storm since taking office.
"I don't think there's any new way to fight snow," Kenney said earlier, flanked by city officials, at an evening press conference ahead of the storm.
Kenney says the city is waiting for the latest models to determine whether they will declare a snow emergency. In the meantime, he said, all Philadelphians need to work together.
"Try to help your neighbors when this storm is over, clear the steps, check in on your neighbors and people who are shut in. Let's work together as neighbors and citizens together to make sure that we are safe, and we get out of this as soon as possible, and get back to normal as soon as possible," he said.
"I would love for all of this to be wrong, and the sun comes out on Saturday, and it's 65. But that's probably not going to happen, so let's prepare for the worst, hope for the best and be prepared for whatever comes."
Mayor Jim Kenney says the city is doing all the can to be prepared for blizzard-like conditions.
"Mother Nature isn't exactly on time for lots of things, winds shift, and other things happen and we will see what happens. We are preparing for the worst of what we think is going to happen at this particular time," Kenney said.
If a snow emergency is declared, anyone parked along a snow emergency route will have to move their cars. Mayor Kenney is also making storm drain cleaning a priority to prevent flooding after the storm. But the Mayor mostly appealed to the humanity of fellow residents, calling on Philadelphians to look out for each other
"I wanna ask all Philadelphians to look out for each other, help each other," he said.
He says city residents need to shovel at least 3 feet in front of their walkway, keep animals indoors, and if you see a homeless person out in the cold, call Project Home's emergency hotline at 215-252-1984. If you do see an animal outdoors, call Animal Control: 267-385-3800.
Trash pickup has been delayed for some residents and Project Home has an emergency number for the homeless. He also encourages residents to check in on vulnerable neighbors.
CBS 3's Natasha Brown contributed to this report.
