Snow Emergency
A Snow Emergency gives crews the operating space they need to safely clear roads and, during the height of the storm, keep Snow Emergency Routes open.
When a Snow Emergency is declared, the following activities are unlawful:
- Parking a vehicle or allowing a vehicle to remain parked on any Snow Emergency Route
- Driving on a Snow Emergency Route unless the vehicle is equipped with snow tires, chains or other suitable traction devices
- Driving a vehicle that becomes stuck on a Snow Emergency Route due to lack of proper traction equipment.
What to Expect
Heavy snow expected. Total accumulations between 14 and 18 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
How the Township Will Respond
Our primary objective is safety for residents, motorists and our employees. Snow operations will proceed in phases.
- Preparation: Equipment inspections are complete, trucks are loaded, and coordination is underway with neighboring municipalities and PennDOT.
- Initial Operations: Roads will be salted first with plowing beginning once snow accumulates to approximately 3 to 4 inches.
- Peak Storm: When snowfall becomes too heavy to keep all roads clear, crews will focus on state roads and major arterials while staging safely at strategic locations. Public Works will assist Police, Fire and EMS with emergency responses during this period.
- Post-Storm Cleanup: Once snowfall rates decrease, Township-wide plowing, widening and cleanup will resume.
- Shoveling: Sidewalks and municipal facilities will be addressed after snowfall ends, and this phase may take several days.
Approximately 40 trucks and operators will be deployed for plowing and salting, with additional crews assigned to sidewalks and other municipal facilities.
There will be no brush collection on Monday, February 23, 2026.
Important Reminders for Residents
- To ensure the safety of residents and our crews, it is important to minimize travel and keep cars off the roads while crews are actively working.
- Whenever possible, residents are strongly encouraged to park vehicles in driveways and off the street. Doing so allows plow operators to clear roads more quickly and thoroughly. With fewer vehicles on the road, plows and salt trucks can operate more safely and effectively.
- Plow operators will make several passes in an effort to clear as much of the road as possible. To avoid having snow plowed back into your parking spot or sidewalk, wait to do your final, clean-up shoveling until after the plows have passed. If the storm is long, shovel periodically to keep, but leave the edge of the street/driveway for last.
- Residents are responsible for clearing snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks in front of their property within 24 hours after the storm ends.
- It is unlawful to shovel or plow snow from private property into any street, roadway, sidewalk or alley and this ordinance is strictly enforced
- Avoid parking in cul-de-sacs whenever possible. If you must park in a cul-de-sac or leave a vehicle on or near a roadway, you must notify the Police Department by calling 9-1-1
- Under normal conditions, storm cleanup takes approximately 8 to 12 hours after snowfall ends. Depending on timing and severity, cleanup may take longer
- The Township’s first goal is to open one lane of traffic in each direction on every road, followed by curb-to-curb plowing and clearing storm inlets. To avoid frustration, residents are encouraged not to clear driveway aprons until plowing operations are complete
- In the event of a power outage, residents should contact PECO at 1-800-841-4141, not the Township.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of residents who recognize the effort involved in doing this work safely and effectively in extreme cold, and we thank you for your cooperation.
Staying Informed
Updates will be shared through press releases, Constant Contact, social media, the Township website and Reverse 9-1-1 as conditions evolve.
We appreciate the patience and cooperation of our residents and the dedication of our Public Works, Police, Fire and EMS teams as we work through this winter storm.
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