Philadelphia Enacting Snow Emergency Wednesday Morning

PHILADELPHIA – With another nor'easter hitting the Philadelphia region, the city is enacting a snow emergency effective 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 20.

All municipal city offices in Philadelphia will be closed Wednesday.

Additionally, trash and recycling collections scheduled for Wednesday are canceled. Residents who normally have collections on Wednesday must hold their materials until Thursday. Thursday and Friday collections will also be delayed one day, and residents should be prepared for further delays depending on the severity of the storm, the city said.

All courts and offices of the Philadelphia Court system will be closed, as well. All critical services – such as emergency protection from abuse, bail acceptance, and preliminary arraignments – are expected to be open.

The School District of Philadelphia will be closed Wednesday and SEPTA will operate on a modified schedule Wednesday. SEPTA will be posting real-time updates on any changes to its schedules on its website and its Twitter feed.

A snow emergency means all parked cars must be moved off Snow Emergency routes for plowing by 8 a.m. Citizens who are moving their cars from snow emergency routes should park as far from the corner of the street as possible, as the city said vehicles parked too close to the corner get in the way of turning snow plows.

See the city's snow emergency routes here.

Cars left on Snow Emergency routes will be moved to other parking spots. If your car is moved, call 215-686-SNOW to find it. Do not call 911.

To ease vehicle owners' potential pain, the Philadelphia Parking Authority will not enforce meter and time limit violations on residential blocks after 9 a.m. Wednesday, but it will enforce all snow emergency and safety violations.

The PPA is offering discounted parking in select Center City parking garages starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday through the end of the snow emergency, where drivers can park for just $5 by bringing their ticket and paying at the PPA Management Office in each garage.

The $5 24-hour rate is available at these garages:

• AutoPark at Independence Mall (5th & Market Streets)
• AutoPark at Jefferson (10th & Ludlow Streets)
• Autopark at the Gallery (10th & Filbert Streets)
• AutoPark at Old City (2nd & Sansom Streets)
• Parkade on 8th (801 Filbert Street)
• Philadelphia Family Court Garage (1503-11 Arch Street – Going south on 15th Street, enter the garage on the west side just after 15th & Cherry St.)

The city is urging citizens who must travel Wednesday to use extreme caution and plan for extra travel time to ensure safety.

Anyone who sees a downed tree that poses a threat should call 911. If the tree does not pose a threat, call 311. In the event of a tree falling on electrical wires, call PECO’s emergency line at (800)841-4141.

The Office of Homeless Services is continuing a Code Blue status until further notice, as well. During the Code Blue, Philadelphia’s homeless outreach teams will patrol the streets in greater numbers, urging homeless people to come to local shelters. People do not need ID to enter Code Blue shelters or cafes from the street, and they can remain indoors throughout the duration of the Code Blue. If you are concerned about someone who is homeless, please call the Outreach Coordination Center at (215) 232-1984 at any time. First responders can also transport people to shelter for their own safety.

As for pets in the weather, citizens should contact the ACCT Philly hotline at (267)385-3800 if they see a dog or other pet outside during extreme cold.

Residents are encouraged to follow the city's Office of Emergency Management Twitter and Facebook feed throughout the day for updates.

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