Philadelphia Lifts Snow Emergency Status

Mayor Jim Kenney's office announced Thursday afternoon that the citywide snow emergency has been lifted as of noon.

Even with the emergency lifted, Philadelphia's Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis said those traveling Thursday should still use great caution.

“Motorists should allow extra time, exercise patience and maintain safe driving distances. The blowing wind can reduce visibility for changing road conditions,” DiBerardinis said in a statement. “I would like to thank our Streets Department and all our other City agencies for being out there early to have roads ready for driving in time for the morning rush hour.”

Parking enforcement will go back to normal beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, including meter and time limit enforcement as well as safety violations, Kenney's office said.

Anyone who parked in Philadelphia Parking Authority garages before noon today today can still take advantage of the PPA's fla $5 rate by visiting the garages' management offices. Anyone who parked in the garages after noon will be charged the typical rates.

If your vehicle was towed today, you can call 215-686-SNOW (7669) to locate the vehicle.

"The City and the Philadelphia Parking Authority recognize that because there was little accumulation on [snow emergency] routes, the ticketing and towing of vehicles should have ended at 9 a.m.," Kenney's office said in a statement. "Any motorist whose car was towed after that time will not have to pay the fine. No action is required by the person who received the ticket. However, the City and PPA remind drivers that Snow Emergency Declarations must be observed, and cars must be moved during those periods, in order to ensure public safety during future snow events."

Crews will be out for the remainder of the day and evening working to plow and salt city streets, Kenney's office said.

“We ask for patience as crews wrap up snow operations, and as sanitation collections resume on normal schedule,” said Mike Carroll, Deputy Managing Director for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. “After the storm ends crews will remain on duty to monitor road conditions and respond to service requests of impassable streets or icy conditions. We encourage residents to contact 311 to report any icy conditions.”

Patch file photo