Philadelphia declares a snow emergency, closes down

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Philadelphia.
Credit: Charles Mostoller, Metro

Ugh.

As another winter storm descends upon the Delaware Valley, Mayor Michael Nutter declared a snow emergency Wednesday and closed city offices for all non-essential personnel today.

With the snow emergency comes a mandate that all parked cars must be moved off Snow Emergency Routes for plowing.

“If your car is parked on a snow emergency route, it will be ticketed and most likely relocated,” Nutter said.

If you car is relocated, call 215-686-SNOW (7669) to find it. Do not call 9-1-1 to find your car.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority will offer discounted rates in Center City garages during the snow emergency. The discount rates started at 5 p.m. Wednesday and will run until the snow emergency expires.

The PPA offers a special 24-hour flat rate of $5 for the following parking facilities: 16th and JFK; Fifth and Market streets; 10th and Ludlow streets; 10th and Filbert streets; Eighth and Filbert streets; Second and Sansom streets.

Meter and time limit violations will not be enforced until the snow emergency expires.

Trash pickups and recycling collections will be suspended until Monday.

Forecasts predict between six and 12 inches of snow will blanket the city.

“Unless you really need to be out,” Nutter said, “we strongly encourage you to not be out on the roadways.”

By the numbers

400

Pieces of plowing equipment

700

Employees working through the duration of the storm

‘Do not do’ list

Renee Cardwell Hughes, of the American Red Cross, warned residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Do not heat your homes by:

Lighting barbecue grills

Running cars

Switching on gas ovens

Sparking kerosene heaters

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