Montco Snow Updates: Vaccine Site, Testing Sites, Offices Closed

Tuesday

Sunday and Monday saw 191 vehicle accidents and 131 disabled vehicles in Montgomery County, officials said, as nearly a foot of snow fell in some places with more expected into Tuesday.

Despite that, there were limited power outages and no significant road closures as of early Tuesday, officials said.

All coronavirus testing sites are closed in Montgomery County Tuesday, as is the vaccine clinic at Montgomery County Community College. Those who had vaccine appointments have had them automatically rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 4 at Norristown Area High School.

Montgomery County Courts, as well as other facilities and government offices, will run on a two-hour delay, officials said.

Snow totals on Monday evening included, according to the National Weather Service:

• Salford - 11.0
• Royersford - 10.3
• Pennsburg - 9.5
• Lower Frederick - 9.4
• (tie) Fort Washington, Plymouth Meeting, & Trappe - 9.0

Monday:

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Several inches of snow has piled up across Montgomery County, as the region braces for the next wave of a powerful winter storm that began Sunday afternoon and is expected to continue through early Tuesday.

The area above the I-276 corridor is expected to receive larger snow totals as Monday wears on into Tuesday, the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety said. Anywhere from four to 12 more inches is possible. The county's Code Blue cold weather emergency declaration was extended through Thursday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. due to the forecasted continued snow and cold.

"Our Roads and Bridges crews are dealing with high winds, frozen rain, and snow," a county spokesperson said in a statement at around 3:45 p.m. Monday. "We are seeing heavy accumulations of ice and snow on our roads."

As of 2 p.m. Monday, Trappe had already received 7.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Elsewhere, 6.2 inches was reported in Royersford and 8 farther west out in Gilbertsville in the early afternoon.

There have been a total of 88 disabled vehicles and 165 vehicle accidents in the county since noon on Sunday, the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety said.

Still, no major road closures had been reported by 1 p.m., officials said. Residents were urged to stay off the roads, which crews began treating at "problem spots" early Sunday.

What could become an issue is the high winds. Highway Administration Deputy Secretary Melissa Batula said in a news briefing Monday afternoon that gusts of up to 30 miles an hour, and sustained winds of around 10 to 15 miles an hours, were steady in the Philadelphia area.

“We urge residents to stay home during the storm and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary,” Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said. “Our roads and bridges workers are working around the clock to treat county roads and keep them clear for emergency responders, healthcare staff, and other critical workers."

There also have been very few power outages thus far in the storm, but that may change as wind and snow intensifies Monday into Tuesday. Report outages to PECO online or by calling 1-800-841-4141. Do not call 911 to report power outages.

Dozens of municipalities have declared snow emergencies, meaning that all vehicles must be moved off of snow emergency routes.

Meanwhile, several school districts around the county have canceled all virtual classes for Monday, giving children and families the opportunity to enjoy a traditional snow day.

The county's COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Montgomery County College is shut down Monday, and so are all six of the county's testing sites. All county courts and government offices were also closed.

Individuals who had registered for appointments at the Montgomery County College vaccine clinic for Monday have had their appointments rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 5 at Norristown Area High School.