Mayor Bowser to Deploy District Snow Team Ahead of Friday Evening’s Forecasted Snow Showers

Cold Weather Emergency Remains in Effect; Pedestrians, Motorists, and Cyclists Should be Mindful of Possible Icy Conditions

(Washington, DC) - In preparation for snow that is forecast for Friday night into Saturday morning, Mayor Muriel Bowser will deploy the District Snow Team at 9 pm on Friday, January 10. The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting snow showers to begin between 7 pm on Friday and 1 am on Saturday, lasting through 7 am, with approximately one inch of accumulation. While daytime highs in the coming days are forecasted to rise above freezing, overnight temperatures will remain low, potentially leading to icy conditions.

The snow team will engage in a full deployment on Friday, consisting of 136 heavy plows (six- and 10-wheel dump trucks) to treat highways, streets, bridges, ramps, and other elevated structures, and 82 light plows (pick-up trucks) to treat smaller streets. Vehicles can begin plowing after two inches of accumulation has been reached. Bike lanes across the District are serviced by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). DDOT's bike-lane clean up team clears the protected bike lanes after the District Snow Team clears general motor vehicle travel lanes citywide. Protected bike lanes are usually cleared six to 24 hours after motor vehicle travel lanes.

The recent winter weather event made it unsafe for DPW staff and vehicles to maneuver certain alleyways. As a result, some District residents have encountered delays in trash, recycling, and food waste collections. In order to resume regularly scheduled services as soon as possible, DPW suspended recycling pick up, and most residents who normally receive two trash collections will receive one collection this week. Residents whose trash has not been collected should continue to keep their green trash bins at their point of collection through the weekend. DPW is working to resume normal trash and recycling collection operations by Monday, January 13.

Residential and commercial property owners are also encouraged to spread abrasives (e.g., salt, pet-friendly deicer, or non-clumping kitty litter) on their sidewalks before precipitation begins to reduce the possibility of icing and to prevent slips and falls.

Residential Snow Clearing

Residential property owners who are not enrolled in the Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program are required to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks within the first eight hours of daylight following the end of a snow event. ServeDC urges residents to volunteer to clear sidewalks for senior residents and those with access and functional needs through the DC Volunteer Snow Team. Residents can register for the DC Volunteer Snow Team here.

Businesses and Streateries

Commercial property owners are required to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks within the first eight hours of daylight following the end of a snow event. DPW recommends that restaurant owners along the treated routes bring in all furniture and other elements within the outdoor dining areas, except for the barriers. Failure to do so may result in damage to the furniture or other streatery materials.

Business owners should clear their sidewalks, parklets, and streateries of snow within eight daylight hours of the storm's end. Business owner/permit holders are responsible for clearing out all snow within the outdoor dining area and ensuring sidewalks are accessible.

Residents and commuters are invited to register for important weather alerts from the District by signing up for AlertDC at alert.dc.gov. For preparedness tips and additional details on the District's snow response, visit the Snow Season FAQ Guide.

Cold Weather Emergency and Shelters

A Cold Emergency remains in effect. During a Cold Weather Emergency, the District provides additional services and supports to protect residents from life-threatening illness and injuries associated with severe cold weather. Extended outreach to vulnerable residents is underway to assist unsheltered and vulnerable residents with accessing shelters, warming buses and other resources.

Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and to help neighbors experiencing homelessness in need of shelter by calling the Shelter Hotline. To request free, accessible transportation for yourself or someone else, call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or by dialing 311. Transportation to shelter is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you believe there is an immediate medical emergency, call 911.

The following shelter locations are open:

Shelters for Women

• Harriet Tubman - 1910 Massachusetts Avenue, SE
• Pat Handy - 810 5th Street, NW
• St. Josephine Bakhita - 6010 Georgia Avenue, NW (7 pm-7 am only)
• Eve's Place - 2210B Adams Place, NE
• 11th Street Swing Space - 1009 11th Street, NW
• CCNV-2 South - 425 2nd Street, NW
• KBEC Family Life Center - 4100 South Capitol Street, SE

Shelters for Men

• 801 East Men's Shelter and Overflow - 2722 Martin L. King Jr. Avenue, SE
• Adams Place - 2210 Adams Place, NE
• Emery Shelter and Overflow - 1725 Lincoln Road, NE
• New York Avenue Men's Shelter - 1355 New York Avenue, NE
• Federal City-1 North and Drop-In Center - 425 2nd Street, NW
• Church of the Epiphany - 1317 G Street, NW (7 pm -7 am only)
• Salvation Army - 3335 Sherman Avenue, NW

Shelter for LGBTQ+

• Living Life Alternatives - 400 50th Street, SE

Families seeking emergency shelter can call the Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093 or 311 at any time day or night.

For animal abuse or neglect, including pets left outdoors in extreme weather, call the Humane Rescue Alliance at (202) 723-5730. For other animal control and wildlife services, call the Brandywine SPCA at (202) 888-7387.

Safety and Preparedness Tips

• Stay inside if you can. Cover up and limit exposed skin when you go outside.
• Check on your neighbors and learn the signs of hypothermia, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with access and functional needs are the most vulnerable in our community.
• Find your snow shovel and make sure it is adequate for another snow season.
• Check and apply your supply of abrasives - deicer, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter - and get more if necessary.
• Avoid driving during the worst part of the storm. If possible, only travel during daylight hours, don't travel alone, and stay on main roads instead of taking shortcuts.
• Have enough over-the-counter and prescription medications for your family and pets.
• Make sure your gutters are cleared of leaves. Call 311 to report clogged storm drains/catch basins and other non-emergency hazards or damage.
• Keep your vehicle's fluids tanks - gas, water, antifreeze and windshield wiper - full.
• Have a flashlight, blankets, and scrapers in your vehicle before a storm begins.
• Install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home and/or replace the batteries in existing devices.
• Do not use a gas oven, generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline burning device inside your home, basement, or garage.
• Avoid frozen pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run through the pipes.

The District Snow Team will continue to monitor the weather forecast and adjust its response as necessary. For more information about DC's snow program and preparing for winter weather, visit snow.dc.gov.

Mayor Bowser X: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.