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City Officials Encourage Residents To Stay Home During Winter Storm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia officials are urging the public to stay off the roads, as plowing and clearing operation are in full force.

Samantha Phillips is the Director of Emergency Management for the city of Philadelphia and says people staying inside, helps them do their job more effectively.

"The EOC (Emergency Operations Center) has transitioned into a full activation," Phillips said.  "They are focusing on public transit, transportation operations, working closely with the streets department and PennDOT on clearing,  and certainly focused first and foremost on public safety. We are really working to make sure that our emergency response vehicles, medics, and firetrucks can navigate through the snow. If you stay off the roads, that helps us get those crews in."

Also, a snow emergency has been declared in  Philadelphia . That means, you can't park on snow emergency routes.  Already, hundreds of vehicles have already been towed.  If you're looking for yours, call  (215) 686 SNOW .

SEPTA continues to operate its Market-Frankford  & Broad Street trains.  All other services have been suspended until further notice.

Officials say, only call 9-1-1 if you have an emergency.   The city's 3-1-1 center is open until 10:00 tonight for non-emergency related inquiries.

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