Mayor Bowser also declared a snow emergency that will go into Saturday, Jan. 24 that will go into effect until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
WASHINGTON — Ahead of the winter weather storm, Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a State of Emergency for the District beginning Friday, Jan 23.
Mayor Bowser also declared a snow emergency that will go into Saturday, Jan. 24, and will stay in effect until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27. During a snow emergency, drivers cannot park on snow emergency routes and have to be off the routes no later than noon on Saturday. Ticketing and towing will be enforced. A map of snow emergency routes can be found here.
Bowser also requested the help of the National Guard. At a press conference, she said she does not know if the out-of-state National Guard will help or who will be a part of the request, but expects it will be the DC National Guard that helps.
The snow team will engage in a full deployment, consisting of more than 300 heavy and light plows. Heavy plows treat highways, streets, bridges, ramps, and other elevated structures, and light plows treat smaller streets.
Residents should expect delays in trash collection and are advised to place their Department of Public Works-serviced trash, recycling, and food waste bins out for collection before the precipitation begins to avoid the risk of falls. Leaf collection and holiday tree collection will be suspended during the snow deployment.
According National Weather Service, snowfall is expected to begin Saturday late afternoon and could last through Monday morning, with the greatest accumulation Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for free email and text alerts and updates through AlertDC, the District’s emergency public notification system, at alert.dc.gov.
Residents who are indeed of housing can call the Shelter Hotline and can request free transportation at 202-399-7093 or 311.
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 (7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. only)
- 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
- Living Life Alternative – 400 50th Street SE
Hypothermia Shelters
The following hypothermia shelters will begin extended, 24-hour operations starting Friday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. through Tuesday, January 27 at 7:00 a.m.:
- Eve’s Place – 2210 Adams Place NE
- Harbor Light – 2100 New York Avenue NE
- 801 East Day Center – 2722 Martin L. King Jr. Avenue SE
- Blair Hypothermia – 635 I Street NE
- Emery Hypothermia – 1725 Lincoln Road NE
- Federal City 1 North – 425 2nd Street NW
- Naylor Road – 2601 Naylor Road SE
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 walkways for senior residents and those with access and functional needs through the DC Volunteer Snow Team. Snow Team Heroes can pick up their volunteer gear today from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the following locations:
- 899 North Capitol Street NE
- 2235 Shannon Place SE
- Deanwood Community Center (1350 49th Street NE)
- Emery Heights Community Center (5701 Georgia Avenue NW)
The cutoff to become a Snow Hero for this storm is 3:00 p.m. Saturday, when the final pickup session ends, however, residents are still encouraged to sign up to be a Snow Hero for future storms at snowteam.dc.gov. Snow Team Hero volunteers will receive deployment assignments via email or phone anytime from now through Monday, or when snowfall is expected to let up.
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.