Philadelphia Weather: Cleanup Underway After Storm Dumps Nearly 8 Inches Of Snow In City
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - All across the region people are breaking out the shovels and snow blowers to dig themselves out after the storm dumped several feet of snow in some areas. Philadelphia lifted its snow emergency, but the storm's effects will be felt for days to come.
For the last 24 hours, Philadelphians have been digging out after this days-long storm.
More than 430 trucks have been removing snow from city streets since Sunday, and crews have already used 15,000 to 20,000 tons of salt. And the work is not complete just yet.
This has been a big task for the streets department. Crews converted sanitation trucks into snowplows and that delayed trash and recycling pickup for Monday and Tuesday by a week.
But trash and recycling collections will resume Wednesday, except there will be no rear driveway collections for the remainder of the week.
And the streets department is asking for patience.
"Our primary and secondary streets are our priority because of emergency vehicles, public transportation, people have to get to and from locations, but now residential locations such as streets in South Philadelphia, North Philadelphia and some in Germantown that are really small and tiny - almost six or seven feet wide - we have to get small enough equipment to navigate through those streets," Streets Department Commissioner Carlton Williams said.
Eyewitness News caught up to people who are taking this snowstorm in stride.
"It's one of the best things in life. Snow days, you get to shovel, you get to exercise, get out, breathe some air," South Philadelphia resident Michael Jaime said. "That's what it's about, the people. We all got to come together with all the crazy going on. We have to show that love for Philly, is love for Philly."
Alder Street is tough to navigate without snow on the ground.
"It's a disaster," South Philly resident Joan said. "I was at the corner and the plow pushed all the snow in front of my car. I didn't know if I was going to get out or not, but luckily I did."
Sidewalks were no better. Many were forced to reapply salt, hoping to make any trek the less treacherous.
"This morning, it was very icy," Joan said. "I had to throw salt and hold onto the wall and not let my dog yank me down the street. It's really very challenging, but what's nice is we have lovely neighbors."
Neighbors like Nick Cotelesa, who had a busy day Tuesday cleaning up the properties he manages.
"I was plowing pavements all day yesterday," Cotelesa said.
But much more clean up is still needed Wednesday. The dig out will eventually come to an end, but the memories for Nadia will last forever.
"Me and my sister did a snowball fight," Nadia Silvanio said.
Even though trash pickup resumes Wednesday, residents are told to expect delays as crews try to navigate these still messy roads.
MORE ON CBSPHILLY.COM
SNOW TOTALS: How Much Snow Fell In Your Neighborhood?
Owners Of Castaway Cove In Ocean City Asking For Public's Help Finding Cause Of 4-Alarm Fire
New Jersey Weather: Flooding From Winter Storm Leaving Jersey Shore Roads Impassable Mess
