HARRISBURG SNOW OPERATIONS IN FULL GEAR; TIPS FOR CITIZENS OFFERED
Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today reported on Harrisburg snow-related operations and provided tips to citizens for dealing with the current massive snow accumulation.
- 36 trucks with plows are in operation and will remain so on 12-hour shifts, 24 hours per day until plowing and snow removal have been accomplished; the total number of city staff directly engaged in snow operations in the field is 90;
- Private contractors are being engaged to supplement city crews, which will increase the number of trucks, plows and personnel in the field
- Snowmobiles are being utilized by city fire crews, in addition to the regular fire apparatus, to reach areas; most calls have involved emergency medical cases thus far;
- The most significant problem being faced is snowed-in side streets, many of which are narrow and have vehicles parked on one or both sides; smaller plow trucks may not be able to move the snow; measurements taken at many side streets indicate 2 to 3 feet of snow, with some of the depth caused by wind-blown drifting; when larger trucks are used to move the snow, there is little room to maneuver between cars; plowing side streets is labor intensive, takes extra time and patience is needed; crews will get to the side streets as soon as possible; main highways are done first, then side streets;
The Mayor asked for the public’s cooperation by offering several tips:
- Do NOT dump snow into the streets when clearing cars and sidewalks
- Park as close to the curb as possible; vehicles jutting into the street prevent plow trucks from getting by; vehicles abandoned in the street will be ticketed and towed;
- Clear snow from the nearest fire hydrant and be sure to also clear rear entrances to homes and buildings; rear entrances may be needed by emergency crews in the event of a fire or medical emergency and it may be the only available escape route for occupants;
- If a home or building has a flat roof, clear it of snow; the extensive snowfall will further absorb moisture from the air and will be very heavy, creating the risk of roof damage or collapse;
- Buy flood insurance for the home or business if in a floodplain area; regular property insurance does not cover flood damage; under federal rules, it takes 30 days for flood insurance to go into effect; the snow pack throughout much of the Susquehanna River Basin area is now extensive; warmer temperatures above freezing and future rain can produce significant and rapid melting and run-off;
- Trash and Recycling collections are suspended for the remainder of the week, and will resume their normal collection schedule on Monday, Feb. 25
- Reed said arrangements have been made for city residents to move their vehicles to the Farm Show parking lot starting at Noon tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 18) until Noon on Friday, February 21; the parking is free and is for any city vehicle owner who has no place to put their vehicle after digging it out of the snow; a shuttle service going to and from the Farm Show Parking Lot to regular bus stops along major streets in the city will transport people to and from the parking lot; the bus service will run from Noon Tuesday to Noon Friday; all vehicles must be off the lot by Friday at Noon due to the Annual Builders’ Show that will be using the complex; the streets where persons going to and from the parking lot can be picked up and dropped off are Second, Fourth, Sixth, 17th, Herr, State, Market, Derry, Berryhill and Paxton Streets, all at the already posted regular bus stops on those streets; the Farm Show lot has to first be plowed and snow removed, which is why it is not available until Noon Tuesday;
- Citizens are urged to not over-exert in doing snow shoveling; persons with Coronary, respiratory or other limiting factors are at risk with too much exertion too quickly.
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