After the fourth biggest snow storm in Philadelphia history, we collected all the important information you might need in one place!
UPDATES:
(As of Wednesday, January 27, 2:25 PM)
Trash and Recycling pick-up are occurring on a regular schedule.
All Philadelphia School District public schools and administration offices will be open on Wednesday, January 27.
As of 10 PM Sunday, January 24, the Snow Emergency has been lifted.
SEPTA services have resumed, but with delays and route changes due to weather conditions. You can find the latest information on SEPTA’s website.
Parking
If your car was relocated from the snow emergency routes, call 215-686-SNOW to find it.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) is offering $5 parking in select Center City garages. The rate has been extended through Tuesday at 7 AM. Information on the PPA parking can be found here.
The PPA will resume normal enforcement of meters and kiosks on Wednesday, January 27. However, the PPA will not be enforcing time limit violations in residential parking districts, due to the ongoing clean up on residential roadways. The PPA will also resume normal booting and towing operations on Wednesday, January 27. More info here.
Transportation
SEPTA services have resumed, but with delays and route changes due to weather conditions. You can find the latest information on SEPTA’s website.
Most flights from Philadelphia International Airport are operating flights on schedule. However, guests should check their flights before arriving to the airport. For updates, call 1-800-PHL-GATE or check the Airport website.
Indego (bike share service) has resumed service interruption on Wednesday, January 27. Some stations are still unavailable due to weather conditions. Check Indego’s website, Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates and news or call 844-446-3356 or email support@rideindego.com.
City Departments
The Philadelphia Free Library system and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation facilities are open during regular hours.
All prisons have resumed normal operating hours.
Health
The City of Philadelphia is asking Philadelphians to please stay indoors and off the road whenever possible.
The Philadelphia Department of Health is advising citizens to wear a windproof outer layer of clothing and several dry, loose fitting layers of clothing – avoid cotton and tight clothing – to stay warm. It is also recommended to avoid drinking to excess since it puts one at greater risk for cold-related injuries and loss of body heat.
In this cold weather, hypothermia is possible and dangerous. The symptoms are confusion, difficulty in speaking, shivering, slow breathing, difficulty in waking, stiff muscles, puffiness in the face, absent-mindedness, and trembling of one side of the body. If you see anyone in these conditions, please call 911.
Before the storm, please also check in on older friends and neighbors to ensure they have heat and to offer transportation or help with running errands such as grocery shopping.
Citizens should contact the Project Home Outreach Hotline: 215-232-1984 if they see a homeless person in need of assistance during the storm.
While shoveling, citizens should pace themselves, take breaks, and plenty drink water during breaks to avoid dehydration. Take a break if you’re beginning to sweat, as bodies lose heat faster in damp clothes. Also, don’t smoke or eat a heavy meal before shoveling.
Pets
The City requires pet owners to bring their pets indoors during extreme cold. Ignoring this could result in fine of up to $500. If you see a dog or other pet outside, call ACCT Philly at 267-385-3800.
Plowing
The Philadelphia Streets Department is deploying 400 plows & 600 personnel. Try to stay inside and off the streets late Friday night, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning to allow Streets crews to work.
Philly 311 is taking salt and plow requests.
Shoveling
All Philadelphians are required to clear a path of 3 feet in front of their property within 6 hours of the snow storm ending, including curb cuts. Don’t shovel snow back into the street as it is against the law.
The Philadelphia Water Department also asks residents to:
- Not pile snow on top of an inlet or storm drains, otherwise it can cause flooding.
- Please keep fire hydrants clear of snow and make a safe path to reach them in case of emergency.
- Please make curb boxes visible when shoveling sidewalks.
Trash Collection
As a result of the MLK holiday, those who have normal Friday collection (trash was to be picked up Saturday), will not have trash picked up Saturday the 23. The trash trucks will be used to plow starting Friday evening.
All rear driveway collections will be cancelled. If you have rear driveway collection, and when collections resume, please put your materials out on the curb until further notice.
Trash and Recycling pick-up has been cancelled for Monday, January 25.
Trash and Recycling pick-up resumed on Tuesday, January 26 and will continue this week.
Water System Safety
To prevent water pipes from freezing and bursting, the Philadelphia Water Department urges residents to:
- Shut off outside water supply to prevent pipes from freezing
- Repair broken windows/Caulk windows near water pipes and cover with plastic.
- Let your water run at a trickle overnight during extreme cold.
For more tips to prevent freezing pipes, read the Philadelphia Water Department’s guide.
Stay Updated!
Stay updated with the latest info on snow storm by signing up for the Ready Philadelphia weather alerts: http://1.usa.gov/1OqNlgl . For those who have a Twitter account, follow the Office of Emergency Management (@PhilaOEM).
To get the latest updates on plowing, road closures and more, follow the city twitter accounts like: @PhiladelphiaGov, @Philly311, @PhilaStreets, @PhillyPolice, and @PhillyFireDept.
The Philly 311 Call Center will remain open for extended hours this weekend to take all non-emergency calls:
· Friday – extend until 10 p.m.
· Saturday – 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
· Sunday – 8 a.m. – midnight
· Monday – open at 6 a.m.