EPX’s Public Safety Committee passes along this helpful information from the City of Philadelphia’s Managing Director’s office!
**Philadelphia Snow Emergency @8pm Fri. Move vehicles from Snow Emergency routes by 8pm. Avoid travel.** On Friday, February 5, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. Managing Director Camille C. Barnett will declare a snow emergency. All vehicles parked on Snow Emergency Routes must be moved to an alternate parking location by 8:00 p.m. Any vehicle remaining on a Snow Emergency Route during the declared Snow Emergency will be ticketed and towed. If your car is towed, call 215-686-SNOW for its location. Do NOT call 911. A list of snow emergency routes can be found at www.phila.gov/streets/Snow_Emergency.html If you must travel during the snow emergency, I urge you to be careful and patient, said Director Barnett. Streets Commissioner Tolson advises residents of the Streets Department s plans in preparation for the snowfall this weekend. Current forecasts predict the snowfall to begin at about mid to late Friday afternoon with an overall accumulation of 12 to 20 inches. Over 500 pieces of equipment are expected to be deployed as soon as there is a treatable snowfall, and approximately 34,000 tons of salt is on hand to be used on city roadways. In preparation for the snow, Streets Department crews began Thursday applying a brine solution a treatment process to prevent icing - to high elevation, hilly streets. Over 600 operational staff are expected to be utilized during the storm and remain on duty through the weekend to monitor roadways. We are asking motorists not to go out, unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must travel, allow extra time for traveling and maintain safe driving distances. Please use caution when navigating over bridges and overpasses where slippery spots may occur, said Commissioner Tolson. For successful snow and ice management, Streets Commissioner Tolson urges residents to follow these tips: - Apply any commercial de-icer on steps and sidewalks early to prevent residual moisture from freezing over and creating icy conditions. - Clear a sidewalk path at least 30 wide within 6 hours of the end of the storm as listed in the Philadelphia Code (10-720). - Clear snow from neighborhood sewer drains to allow melting snow to drain. - Be conscious of the environment use de-icing salts only as much as needed. One pound of de-icer can cover 100 to 200 square feet. - Salt should be applied as soon as a light accumulation has developed on the surface. This will break the bond between additional accumulations and the pavement surface, and will make it easier to shovel. - A final light application of a de-icer may be required after removal is completed to melt the residual snow. - Make sure you park your car as far away from the corner as possible. Cars parked too close to the corner limit the turning radius of salting vehicles. - Stay tuned to local media for further updates. - Check on sick and elderly neighbors. To report a street in need of salting or plowing or for more information on any Streets Department program or service, call 3-1-1. Additional information is available online at
