Philadelphia snow updates: City emergency lifted; 3 die while shoveling in Pa.; latest storm impact

Cleanup is underway across the Philadelphia region after a major winter storm dropped snow, sleet and ice across much of the U.S. on Sunday, impacting nearly 180 million people.

Three people have died due to shoveling and snow removal activity in Lehigh County, officials announced Monday.

The deceased have yet to be identified. For those digging out of this weekend’s storm, Philly-area doctors share some do’s and don’ts to avoid injury.

At least 30 weather-related deaths have been reported nationwide, and about 800,000 customers are without power, according to poweroutage.us. About 52 outages remain in Philadelphia as of Tuesday morning.

What’s the latest forecast?

Bitter cold temperatures are expected to stick around, with forecasters predicting wind chills in the single digits to below zero each night through this weekend. Temperatures will not rise above freezing until at least this weekend, per the National Weather Service.

Dangerously cold wind chills between -15° and 0° are expected to return, leading to an increased risk of hypothermia and frostbite.

Temperatures will linger in the 10s and 20s during the daytime.

Snowfall totals

This weekend’s winter storm brought record snowfall to Philadelphia, marking the biggest single snowfall event since the January 2016 blizzard, according to the NWS.

Here’s how much has fallen so far, per WHYY News partner 6abc:

• Philadelphia
  • Philadelphia International Airport | 9.3 inches
  • Center City | 9 inches
  • Fox Chase | 8.3 inches

• Pennsylvania
  • Berks County
    • Mertztown | 14.1 inches
    • Reading Regional Airport | 9.4 inches
  • Bucks County
    • Gardenville | 12 inches
    • Bensalem | 10.2 inches
    • Levittown | 9.6 inches
    • Northampton Twp. | 7.3 inches
  • Chester County
    • East Coventry Twp. | 10.5 inches
    • Avondale | 8.4 inches
    • East Goshen Twp. | 8 inches
  • Delaware County
    • Morton | 8 inches
    • Nether Providence Twp. | 8 inches
    • Swarthmore | 7.3 inches
  • Lehigh County
    • Emmaus | 13.3 inches
    • Weisenberg Twp. | 10.8 inches
  • Montgomery County
    • Skippack Twp. | 12.2 inches
    • Collegeville | 11.5 inches
    • Norristown | 10.5 inches
    • New Hanover Twp. | 10.5 inches
    • King of Prussia | 7.6 inches

• New Jersey
  • Atlantic County
    • Atlantic City International Airport | 6.2 inches
  • Burlington County
    • Mount Holly | 9.4 inches
    • South Jersey Regional | 9.6 inches
  • Camden County
    • Bellmawr | 10.2 inches
  • Cape May County
    • Cape May | 5 inches
  • Cumberland County
    • Deerfield Twp. | 7.5 inches
  • Gloucester County
    • Mantua | 10.5 inches
  • Mercer County
    • Trenton Mercer Airport | 8.9 inches
    • Hamilton Square | 7.4 inches
  • Salem County
    • Woodstown | 7.5 inches

• Delaware
  • New Castle County
    • Bear | 10 inches
    • Pike Creek | 8.5 inches
    • New Castle County Airport | 8.3 inches

Weather alerts, watches and advisories

A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for the counties through 10 a.m. Wednesday, with very cold wind chills between 0 and 10 degrees below zero.

• Pennsylvania: Delaware, Philadelphia
• New Jersey: Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem
• Delaware: Kent, New Castle, Sussex

Enhanced Code Blue in Philly: Protections for people experiencing homelessness

An Enhanced Code Blue is in effect in Philadelphia until further notice.

During extreme cold — when temperatures feel near or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or when there is precipitation and the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower — Philadelphia officials will declare a Code Blue.

During a Code Blue event, the city implements special measures to keep people who are experiencing homelessness safe. Those measures include 24-hour outreach to find unhoused people and transport them to safe indoor spaces and opening all available beds within the city’s emergency housing network for those in need.

The 11 warming centers listed below are open during the current Code Blue.

Emergency orders

Philadelphia lifted its snow emergency at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Drivers may now park along snow emergency routes.

Residents whose vehicles were towed during the snow emergency may call 215-686-SNOW (7669) and select option four. Streets included among the city’s snow emergency routes can be found below:

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill lifted the Garden State’s state of emergency at noon Monday.

“The storm may be over, but the hazards are not,” said emergency management director Lt. Col. David Sierotowicz, who urged residents to avoid driving if possible.

Delaware’s state of emergency expired at 3 p.m.

School closures and flexible instruction

Out of an abundance of caution, Superintendent Tony Watlington said, School District of Philadelphia buildings remain closed Tuesday. Students, who were sent home with Chromebooks on Friday, will learn virtually.

How is travel impacted?

Pennsylvania

• PennDOT: Speed limit restrictions and right-lane-only commercial vehicle restrictions have been lifted on Philly-area interstates and major highways.
• PA Turnpike: All restrictions put in place for the storm have been lifted.

New Jersey

Commercial vehicle restrictions have been lifted, as have emergency speed limits.

Delaware

Kent and New Castle counties have downgraded from level 2 driving restrictions to a level 1 driving warning. Drivers are urged to avoid traveling on roadways unless there is a significant safety, health or business reason to do so. Those who must are told to drive with extreme caution.

Sussex County has lifted its level 1 driving warning.

Amtrak

Keystone Service has been restored.

Customers affected by earlier cancellations can rebook or request refunds without penalties on Amtrak.com, through the Amtrak mobile app or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.

SEPTA

As of Monday afternoon, 37 of SEPTA’s bus routes have been restored. The majority of routes will be restored Tuesday.

City trolley routes have been fully restored. A decision will be made after 6 p.m. regarding trolley tunnel availability.

The Market-Frankford (L), Broad Street (B), suburban trolleys (D) and the Norristown High Speed Line (M) remain operational, but customers may experience delays, trip cancellations and longer travel times.

Regional Rail service will resume Tuesday, following a Saturday schedule. Paratransit services will resume Tuesday as well.

Riders are encouraged to visit SEPTA.org for the latest service information.

NJ Transit

NJ TRANSIT expects to gradually resume service Monday, starting with light rail lines.

Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, and River LINE will operate on a weekday schedule to start, but riders should expect delays and possible cancellations.

A gradual ramp-up of bus and Access Link service is expected as conditions allow.

Crews are also working to resume commuter rail service.

Riders may monitor the latest NJ Transit service updates online.

PATCO

PATCO is operating on modified schedules through Monday. Trains are operating every 15-20 minutes for most of the day. Travel times will similarly be adjusted for slower operating speeds due to the weather and may take up to 10 minutes longer than usual.

Riders are encouraged to sign up for PATCO alerts for service updates.

PHL, EWR and ABE

More than 4,400 flight delays and cancellations have been recorded nationwide Monday, according to flight tracker flightaware.com.

Travelers should expect delays and possible cancellations at Philadelphia International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and Lehigh Valley International Airport.

Travelers are encouraged to check with their airline for further delays or cancellations that may impact flights.

City services impact, from trash collection and courts to ice-skating rinks

Safety information

• Get or give help: Here are extreme cold resources across the Delaware Valley, and here’s how you can help your unhoused neighbors amid frigid temps.
• Be prepared: Take these steps to protect yourself and your pets; and here’s how to keep your pipes from freezing in cold weather.
• Winter driving: If you must drive, here’s how to best prepare, and what to keep in your car.
• Avoiding injury: Here are some do’s and don’ts to avoid injury in a snowstorm, according to Philly-area doctors.
• Emergency contacts: If you live in Philadelphia, here’s who to call for which emergencies, from downed trees to power lines.
• Pet safety: If residents see a dog outside during the extreme cold — aside from bathroom breaks and short walks — they are urged to contact ACCT Philly’s hotline by calling (267-385-3800m ext. 1.

What renters, homeowners and business owners need to know about shoveling

Unless you live in an apartment building or multifamily dwelling, you are responsible for clearing the sidewalk of snow and ice outside your home. That includes both renters and homeowners.

Once snow has stopped falling, all sidewalks — including curb cuts — must be shoveled within six hours. Corner property owners are also responsible for clearing ramps as an extension of their sidewalk.

Pathways should be clear at least 3 feet, unless the pathway is smaller than that, in which case only 1 foot should be cleared. Snow or ice removed from sidewalks cannot be dumped into the street; instead, push toward your building.

The same rule applies to business owners, even if an establishment is temporarily closed due to the snow. Businesses that violate this code face a fine of $1,000 or more.

Residents may report a sidewalk that has not been cleared by calling 311 or submitting a report through the city’s 311 portal.