Mayor Bowser to Activate First Extreme Cold Alert of the Season, Deploy District Snow Team Ahead of Friday's Forecasted Winter Weather

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), in collaboration with the DC Department of Human Services (DHS), will activate an Extreme Cold Alert effective today, Thursday, December 4 at 8 pm. until tomorrow, Friday, December 5 at 9 am. Mayor Bowser also announced that she will deploy the District Snow Team, with pre-treatment brining operations for the National Highway System starting at 7 pm tonight and salting beginning on all major roadways and elevated structures at midnight.

The National Weather Service is forecasting snow to start between 4 am and 7 am on Friday morning with steady activity between 7 am and 1 pm. Snow is expected to taper off between 4 and 7 pm. with a possible accumulation of an inch or more. The low overnight temperature will be 20 degrees Fahrenheit when accounting for wind chill. Due to the mix of precipitation and low temperatures, pedestrians, motorists, and bicyclists should limit outdoor exposure, and proceed with caution when traveling on roads and walkways.

Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and 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. If you believe there is an immediate medical emergency, call 911.

Extreme Cold Alert
Extreme Cold Alerts occur when the National Weather Service predicts temperatures and/or precipitation that pose an imminent risk to residents, especially those who are outdoors and experiencing homelessness. Under an Extreme Cold Alert, the District provides services and supports to protect residents from life-threatening illness and injuries associated with severe cold weather. For a list of shelters and other information about hypothermia season, visit cold.dc.gov.

An Extreme Cold Alert is triggered when the actual or forecasted temperature (including wind chill) falls below:

• 15°F without precipitation, OR
• 20°F if precipitation (snow, rain, or hail) is expected
• Alert messaging will include forecasted precipitation
  

A Cold Alert is triggered when the actual or forecasted temperature (including wind chill) is between:

• 16° and 32°F, OR
• 21° to 40°F if precipitation (snow, rain, or hail) is expected
• Alert messaging will include forecasted precipitation

Extreme Cold Alerts and Cold Alerts are shared through AlertDC, the District's emergency public notification system. Residents can sign up for free email and text alerts and updates at alert.dc.gov.

Cold Weather Safety Precautions

• 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 who are the most vulnerable in our community.
• For all animal emergencies, including animals left outside in extreme temperatures, call the Brandywine Valley SPCA at 202-888-PETS.

Low-Barrier Shelters
The following low-barrier shelters are open 24/7 year-round (except where noted):

Women

• Harriet Tubman - 1910 Massachusetts Avenue SE
• Pat Handy - 810 5th Street NW
• St. Josephine Bakhita - 6010 Georgia Avenue NW (7 pm to 7 am only)

Men

• 801 East - 2722 Martin L. King Jr. Avenue SE
• Adams Place - 2210 Adams Place NE
• Emery - 1725 Lincoln Road NE
• New York Avenue - 1355 New York Avenue NE

LGBTQ+

• Living Life Alternative - 400 50th Street SE

Hypothermia Shelters
The following hypothermia shelters are open 7 pm to 7 am during Hypothermia Season. During an Extreme Cold Alert, hypothermia shelters extend their hours to 24/7, operating around the clock until the Extreme Cold Alert is lifted. Additional sites will be added when the District's shelter system approaches capacity.

Women

• Eve's Place - 2210 Adams Place NE
• Harbor Light - 2100 New York Avenue NE

Men

• 801 East Day Center - 2722 Martin L. King Jr. Avenue SE
• Emery Hypothermia - 1725 Lincoln Road NE
• Federal City 1 North - 425 2nd Street NW
• Naylor Road - 2601 Naylor Road SE

Please note: Adjustments to hours and facilities may occur if circumstances dictate (e.g., utility issues, weather-related access, etc.)

District Snow Team Deployment
The snow team will engage in a full deployment, consisting of more than 200 heavy and light plows. Heavy plows (six- and 10-wheel dump trucks) treat highways, streets, bridges, ramps, and other elevated structures, and light plows (pick-up trucks) treat smaller streets. A second deployment will begin at 12 pm on Friday to address icy concerns.

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.

Residential and commercial property owners are 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. Residents are advised to place their Department of Public Works (DPW) serviced trash, recycling, and food waste bins out for collection before the precipitation begins to avoid risk of falls.

The Department of General Services (DGS) will deploy the snow team at 5 pm on Thursday to pretreat all DC government properties, including walkways, driveways and entryways at police stations, fire houses, DHS shelters, senior wellness centers, DC Public Schools (DCPS) buildings, and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) sites. Based on the performance of storm, DGS is prepared to move into removal, cleanup, and post-treatment operations.

DPW leads the District Snow Team with support from DDOT, DGS, HSEMA, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Serve DC, and several other agencies.

Residents and commuters are encouraged 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.

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 also 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 at snowteam.dc.gov.

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. Failure to do so may result in damage to the furniture or other materials.

Business owners should clear their sidewalks 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.

Winter Weather Safety and Preparedness Tips

• Find your snow shovel and make sure it is adequate for another snow season.
• Check 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.

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