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DC Snow Team to Fully Deploy March 4 for Possible 8-Inch Snowfall; Snow Emergency to Start at 7 am Thurs., Mar 5

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

(Washington, DC) Mayor Muriel Bowser will deploy the District Snow Team, starting at midnight Wednesday, March 4 with a full deployment of more than 200 snow trucks that will be on their routes by 2 am Thursday. The District has declared a snow emergency that will go into effect Thursday, March 5 at 7 am to allow the Snow Team to clear major streets curb-to-curb. Any vehicles parked along snow emergency routes (designated by red and white signs) after 7 am may be ticketed and towed.

The forecast calls for 5 to 8 inches of snow to fall through the day and end by 7 pm Thursday. The storm will begin as rain Wednesday night then mix with sleet before turning to all snow by 5 am. Snowfall will be heavy at times. Through most of Thursday, air and surface temperatures will be below freezing, so precipitation will stick. Overnight, Thursday into Friday, temperatures will fall well below freezing to a possible record low of 10F and remain below freezing through Friday.

Whatever the mode of travel, people are asked to be cautious because subfreezing temperatures are expected overnight. Motorists are asked to remove all snow from their vehicles before driving. Snow may blow back on following vehicles and cause accidents. Property owners are asked to put abrasives (pet-safe de-icer, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter) on their sidewalks before the storm starts. Sidewalks are to be cleared within 24 hours after the end of the storm.

Snow Emergency Details

To learn where a vehicle has been towed, call the Towed Vehicle Locator office at (202) 541-6083 or go to dpw.dc.gov/service/locate-towed-vehicle.

The snow emergency will remain in effect until an announcement is made that it has been lifted.  Motorists are asked to tune into television and radio broadcast stations or go to www.snow.dc.gov for a notice that the snow emergency has been lifted.

Vehicles ticketed for a snow emergency violation and towed by DPW will be taken to the DPW Impound Lot at 5001 Shepherd Parkway, SW 20032.  The lot is open weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm, the telephone number is (202) 645-5500.  The lot is closed weekends, holidays and when DC government is closed. Vehicles also may be towed by private towing companies, and vehicle owners can learn where their vehicle has been towed by calling the Towed Vehicle Locator office at (202) 541-6083. To have an impounded vehicle released, these fees must be paid before the vehicle will be released:

  • $250 ticket for the snow emergency violation.
  • $100 tow fee.
  • $20 per day storage fee.

Additional fees also may be required to be paid, e.g., fees for tickets older than 60 days that have not been entered into the adjudication system.

These fees may be paid at the impound lot by bank debit card, credit card (Mastercard, Visa and Discover) or online through the Department of Motor Vehicles Website at dmv.dc.gov

Winter Weather Safety and Preparedness Tips

Assist elderly or disabled neighbors with clearing their sidewalks. Also, for plow drivers’ safety, “Don’t crowd the plow.”  Residents are encouraged to go to snow.dc.gov for updates before, during and after winter storms, and for tips to get one’s home and family prepared for inclement weather.  Residents also may sign up at alertdc.dc.gov to receive emergency alerts and notifications from Alert DC.

The deployment plan is developed and implemented based on predictions made by the weather services; however, predictions may change after the plan has been implemented. Under those circumstances, the District Snow Team will pivot to meet the new conditions.

The Department of Public Works would like to advise its trash and recycling collection customers that employees will make every effort to complete their Thursday and Friday routes; however, conditions may not allow 100 percent completion. Residents whose collections are missed are asked to hold onto their trash/recycling until the next collection day.

To track the plows, go to snow.dc.gov and select Track Our Plows: snowmap.dc.gov.

Social Media
Mayor Bowser Twitter: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
DPW Twitter: @DCDPW
DPW Facebook: DPW on Facebook
DPW Website: dpw.dc.gov
DDOT Twitter: @DDOTDC
DDOT Facebook: facebook.com/DDOTDC
DDOT Website: ddot.dc.gov