A widespread winter storm is prompting numerous communities across Pennsylvania to declare snow emergencies. The declarations, issued ahead of anticipated heavy snowfall on Sunday, aim to facilitate snow removal and ensure public safety.
Regional Responses
Philadelphia’s snow emergency will begin at 9 p.m. on Saturday, as announced by Mayor Cherelle Parker during a Friday morning press conference. The emergency will remain in effect until road conditions improve, and residents are urged to move vehicles off designated snow emergency routes before the deadline.
Bucks County
Bucks County is under a patchwork of emergency declarations. Bensalem Township and New Britain Township have issued snow emergencies effective immediately. Buckingham Township’s emergency begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, prohibiting street parking for 12 hours after the snow stops. Doylestown Borough’s declaration starts at 11 p.m. Saturday, advising residents to avoid street parking whenever possible. Hatboro Borough’s emergency is in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday morning, with parking prohibited on emergency routes. Lower Makefield Township has declared a Local Disaster Emergency, urging residents to keep vehicles off the roads and clear hydrants. Solebury Township’s emergency, starting Saturday at 7 p.m., warns of ticketing and towing for abandoned vehicles. Warminster Township’s declaration runs from 6 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday at 6 p.m. Warrington Township has declared both a State of Emergency and a Snow Emergency, effective at noon on Saturday.
Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties
Chester County’s Malvern Borough has a snow emergency in effect from 5 p.m. Saturday, with vehicles on snow emergency highways subject to towing and ticketing. In Delaware County, Lansdowne Borough has announced changes to trash collection schedules, while Upper Darby Township’s Inclement Weather Emergency is in effect from 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Monday, prohibiting parking on emergency snow routes. Montgomery County is also heavily impacted, with multiple townships declaring emergencies, including Lower Providence Township (noon Saturday to noon Friday, January 30, with parking restrictions and tire requirements), Pennsburg Borough (6 a.m. Sunday until 24 hours after snowfall ends), Rockledge Borough (11:30 p.m. Saturday to midnight Tuesday), Royersford Borough (6 p.m. Saturday until further notice), Towamencin Township (10 p.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Monday), Upper Dublin Township (11:30 p.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Tuesday), Upper Gwynedd Township (5 p.m. Saturday, with towing warnings), Upper Merion Township (8 p.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Monday, with closures of administrative offices, the library, and the community center), Upper Pottsgrove Township (7 p.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Monday), Upper Providence Township (noon Saturday, with tire/chain requirements), West Norriton Township (7 p.m. Saturday to noon Monday), West Pottsgrove Township (7 p.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Monday, with designated emergency routes), and Whitpain Township (declared, with parking prohibitions and trash can removal requests).
These declarations underscore the seriousness of the approaching storm and the potential for significant disruption to daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Philadelphia’s snow emergency begin?
Philadelphia’s snow emergency will begin at 9 p.m. on Saturday.
What is being asked of residents in Lower Makefield Township?
Residents of Lower Makefield Township are urged to keep vehicles off the roads, remove trash cans and other items from the roadways, and clear around hydrants if one is located on their property.
What is the duration of the snow emergency in Upper Merion Township?
The snow emergency in Upper Merion Township is in effect from 8 p.m. on Saturday until 6 p.m. on Monday.
As the storm approaches, will residents heed the warnings and prepare for potential travel disruptions and hazardous conditions?
