City of Philadelphia Addresses 'Mid-Level' Snowstorm
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Streets Department crews were deployed today for the latest blast of snow.
City streets commissioner David Perri says they've got 350 pieces of equipment and 700 people in the current snow-fighting operation.
"It's mainly a plowing operation, but we are salting as well," he tells KYW Newsradio.
Perri calls this a "mid-level" storm. And, he notes, "This is the type of event in which brining is not appropriate, because the storm started out as rain."
Mayor Nutter says that during the run of the city's declared snow emergency, the Philadelphia Parking Authority and police would be towing vehicles in the way. By midday, dozens of vehicles had been relocated.
And the mayor did make one prediction to reporters:
"I am pleased to announce that spring will in fact take place (applause) in the City of Philadelphia," he said to the laughter of reporters and City Hall staffers. "We're strongly supporting this initiative." He said he'll get back to us with the full implementation date.
Thursday night, Mayor Nutter announced that the snow emergency will be lifted for the City of Philadelphia effective at midnight.
Until the snow emergency is lifted, the Mayor's office says citizens are reminded that all parked cars must be moved off snow emergency routes for plowing. When relocating your car, park as far from the corner of the street as possible; vehicles parked too close to the corner impede the turning radius of plowing equipment.
Snow emergency information and a map of snow emergency routes can be found at http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/highways/snow/emergency-routes/. Cars left on snow emergency routes will be relocated to accommodate plowing operations. If your car is relocated, call 215-686-SNOW to find it.
The Mayor's office says a decision about Philadelphia School District schools is expected Friday morning.
The Mayor's office says regular trash and recycling collections will resume Friday. Citizens with Thursday trash collection should hold all materials until next Thursday. All rear driveway collections are cancelled until further notice. Citizens with rear driveway collections should put trash and recycling out at the curb (street side of house) when collection operations resume until further notice.
The Philadelphia Streets Department crews are making good progress treating and plowing residential streets, according to the Mayor's office.
The Mayor's office says all property owners are also required to clear a path of at least three feet in front of their property within 6 hours of the snow event ending, including curb cuts. Corner property owners are asked to shovel out the handicapped ramps at the corners. Citizens are asked to clear snow and ice from storm drains and from fire hydrants. Please do not shovel or plow snow into the street.
Call 311 to report a street that needs salting or plowing.
The Mayor's office says citizens should contact the Project Home Outreach Hotline 215-232-1984 if they observe a homeless person(s) in need of assistance. During the call, citizens should provide the address, location and description of the person in need.
Citizens should contact the ACCT Philly hotline 267-385-3800 if they observe a dog or other pet outside during extreme cold. The Mayor's office says it is against City ordinance to leave pets outside in extreme cold and owners can be fined up to $500.