January 23, 2016
Philadelphia Snowstorm Update 9 p.m.
The National Weather Service Mount Holly provided the latest briefing to the Emergency Operation Center at 7:30 p.m. The Blizzard Warning for Philadelphia remains in effect. Moderate snow may fall from now until midnight and taper off between midnight and 3 a.m. Temperatures will fall to the mid to lower 20s with wind chills in the single digits overnight. Tomorrow, clouds should clear around dawn bringing partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will warm up to around freezing which will bring some melt throughout the day with a potential for refreeze tomorrow night. As of 8 p.m. snowfall at Philadelphia International Airport measured 20.8 inches. Snow totals outside the Emergency Operations Center at 3rd and Spring Garden measured 30.8 inches, taking into consideration snowdrifts. OEM submits measurements to the National Weather Service from this measurement location.
A Code Blue remains in effect. Persons observing homeless individuals outside during the storm are requested to call the outreach hotline at 215-232-1984. Police are performing wellness checks when requested.
Officials caution Philadelphians to stay off the roads as crews continue to plow snow. Multi-agency crews, led by the Philadelphia Streets Department, are at full level and will continue snow removal operations. Philadelphia Streets Department reports 415 plows on city streets with 675 personnel working on this storm response. Road clearing remains challenging due to rate of snowfall and the storm sustained and gusting winds.
PennDot reports that plowing and salting operations continue and a commercial vehicle restriction remains in effect for state interstates.
The Snow Emergency is still in effect. The Philadelphia Police Department and the Philadelphia Parking Authority continue to relocate vehicles from Snow Emergency routes. They also remind vehicle owners that the Snow Emergency remains in effect until it is officially lifted and routes should remain clear of vehicles until such time. If your vehicle is relocated, call 215-686-SNOW. Do not call 911.
Philadelphia’s 3-1-1 will operate throughout the storm, opening Sunday at 8 a.m. through midnight and will begin taking calls Monday at 6 a.m. It is imperative that residents call 3-1-1 with non-emergencies to reduce unnecessary demand on the city’s 9-1-1 emergency system.
SEPTA’s Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines will continue to run as scheduled. All SEPTA bus, trolley service, and regional rail service is currently suspended until further notice. SEPTA officials are working on a service resumption plan and will begin deploying crews when it is safe to do so. SEPTA will continue to share updates with the public as service is resumed. For up-to-date information, please visit www.septa.org.
Philadelphia International Airport is working with airlines to reschedule flights. Please stay in touch with airport officials for further plans.
All DRPA bridges have speed restrictions which remain in place at 25 MPH and tractor trailer ban is in effect.
The City’s EOC maintains a full activation, and continues to provide operational coordination and support emergency response. The EOC provides a venue for interagency problem solving and information sharing, with representatives from the following agencies:
• Philadelphia Fire and EMS
• Police – Radio and Traffic
• Parks and Recreation
• Philadelphia Parking Authority
• SEPTA
• Streets: Sanitation and Transportation
• 311
• American Red Cross
• Department of Public Property
• Fleet
• License & Inspection
• Office of Innovation and Technology
• Office of Supportive Housing
• PECO
• Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
• PennDOT
• Philadelphia State Police
• Philadelphia Water Department
• Salvation Army
Stay informed:
· Tune to local news for weather updates.
· Sign up for emergency alerts and weather updates from ReadyPhiladelphia at www.phila.gov/ready.
· For more winter weather tips, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management online at www.phila.gov/ready.
· For official updates from the City, follow @PhilaOEM on Twitter or find them on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Blogspot.
· Other City Twitter accounts to follow for information: @PhiladelphiaGov; @Philly311; @PhilaStreets; @PhillyPolice; and @PhillyFireDept.