What to Know
- A Snow Emergency is in effect for the city of Philadelphia due to the snow.
- The snow emergency went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
- A Snow Emergency means all parked cars must be moved off Snow Emergency routes for plowing.
A State of Emergency was declared in parts of New Jersey, and a snow emergency was declared for the city of Philadelphia Thursday.
Governor Chris Christie declared a State of Emergency for Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean Counties as a massive nor'easter impacted the Garden State.
The State of Emergency authorizes a coordinated response tot he storm as well as the closing of state offices. Motorists were urged to stay off the roads Thursday.
All City and Philadelphia government offices would close for a second day on Friday, the city announced in a statement.
“The decision to close is a difficult one, but we believe that the frigid temperatures will result in icy roadways in the morning that will be resistant to our salting efforts,” said Managing Director Mike DiBerardinis. “We need to keep drivers off the roads. So we have decided to close all municipal offices. Non-essential City employees should stay home and stay warm.”
The snow emergency in Philadelphia went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2018 and would end at 8 p.m.
A Snow Emergency means all parked cars must be moved off Snow Emergency routes for plowing. When moving your car, park as far from the corner of the street as possible. Vehicles parked too close to the corner get in the way of snow plows trying to turn corners.
More information on the Snow Emergency as well as a map of Snow Emergency routes can be found here. Any cars left on Snow Emergency routes will be moved to other parking spots to assist in snow plowing operations. If your car is moved, don’t call 911. Instead, call 215-686-SNOW to find it.
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Parking would again be permitted on the Snow Emergency routes starting at 8 p.m. Thursday.
The snow moved into region beginning in Delaware and at the Jersey Shore around 9 p.m., then Philadelphia overnight and continued Thursday. Motorists in Philadelphia were advised to use caution while traveling Thursday if you have to be on the road.
Trash and recycling collections were suspended Thursday. Residents who normally have collections on Thursdays are asked to hold their trash and recycling until next Thursday. Crews will resume collections on Friday though residents should expect delays.
SEPTA is posting real-time travel updates on their website and Twitter.
If you’re picking up or dropping off travelers at Philly International Airport, check your flight status before leaving.
The Philly 311 Call Center remained open for normal business hours Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to take all non-emergency calls. Requests for salting and plowing won’t be taken during the storm.
Philly’s Office of Homeless Services is continuing its Code Blue until further notice. The city’s homeless outreach teams will patrol the streets in greater numbers and urge homeless people to go to local shelters. If you’re concerned about a homeless person, call the Outreach Coordination Center at 215-232-1984 at any time.
Citizens should also call the ACCT Philly hotline at 267-385-3800 if they see any pets outside during the extreme cold. Owners who leave their dogs outside during extreme cold without proper shelter could be fined up to $500.
All inmate visits at Philadelphia County prisons were canceled Thursday.
Residents are urged to call 911 if you spot a fallen tree blocking a road or on a house, car or other property. If a tree has fallen on electrical wires, call PECO’s emergency line at 1-800-841-4141.
