Philadelphia Under Snow Emergency As Nor'easter Expected To Dump Most Snowfall In City In 5 Years Arrives
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Managing Director Tumar Alexander declared a snow emergency Sunday that will remain in effect until Tuesday at 10 a.m. Officials expect anywhere from 8 to 12 inches of snow to fall from Sunday to Tuesday.
Larry Levine didn't let the lack of hills in Rittenhouse Square stop him from taking his daughter Abigail sledding.
"Abigail was wondering if there's enough snow for playing and I said, 'Let's give it a try!" Levine said, as he pulled his daughter on a sled through the park.
Mostly, the park went straight to the dogs, as the snow began to accumulate in the city in the early evening Sunday.
"They were originally developed in Switzerland, for the mountains," Nancy Speck said of her two dogs. "They're called Bernese Mountain Dogs, so this is their element. They're really happy."
While lots of fun for some, the steady snowfall means long workdays for others. The city of Philadelphia has more than 400 trucks outfitted to respond to the multi-day storm, with employees on the clock for 12-hour shifts through Tuesday.
Philadelphia's Deputy Commissioner for Transportation Richard Montanez said city residents have responsibilities too.
"We're asking all snow routes to be moved, cleared, parking to be moved," he said. "Citizens to clear a 36 inch pathway for everyone in their sidewalks. Make sure their sidewalks are salted, free of ice, things like that for our residents."
The Church of the Holy Trinity at 19th and Walnut Streets provided overnight shelter to those with nowhere else to go. Daniel Markowitz is trying to help his friend Jules find a more long-term housing solution. He's calling on other places of worship to open their doors to the homeless as well, storm or no storm.
"Come together and give them shelter while your houses of worship are closed because of this pandemic, and no one deserves to sleep outside," Markowitz said.
The storm is also impacting trash and recycling pickup this week. Anyone with Monday pickup is asked to hold onto their trash and recycling until next Monday, Feb. 8. As the storm progresses, the city will make decisions about trash pickup for the rest of the week.
Philadelphia is under a code blue. You can call a dedicated hotline if you see someone on the streets who is in need of food or shelter. The number is 215-232-1984.
Also, residents are asked to bring their animals inside. The extreme cold and snow is dangerous for animals too. In the City of Philadelphia, if you see a dog outside without proper shelter or water access, call ACCT Philly at 267-385-3800.
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