Lower Merion Storm Updates: Snow Emergency Declared

LOWER MERION, PA -- Lower Merion has declared a Snow Emergency effective at 10 p.m. Friday, as snow swiftly blanketed the region and the inches began piling up overnight into Saturday.

During Lower Merion’s Winter Storm Emergency, parking will not be permitted on designated Snow Emergency Routes, and these roads are also restricted to vehicles with four wheel drive or snow chains. Vehicles left parked on these designated Snow Emergency Routes will be ticketed and towed if the owners cannot be located, according to officials.

Lower Merion police are also warning residents not to reserve parking spaces using chairs, cones, or other items. It is illegal, and officers will cite residents.

The Koegel Public Works Complex in Penn Valley will be closed for the duration of the weekend.

All Lower Merion School District activities for the weekend have been cancelled.

Warming centers and phone charging stations will be available at the seven fire companies in Lower Merion and Narberth if anyone loses power during the storm, the township announced.

A complete list of all sections of roads that are considered emergency routes in Lower Merion is located on the township website here.

Several other local municipalities have also declared snow emergencies.

Here’s more on the blizzard which began in Lower Merion Friday. Check back for updates, we will be updating as they come in:

• The National Weather Service has upgraded the Blizzard Watch to a Blizzard Warning, advising all residents to prepare now. The Blizzard Warning, which is issued when serious winter weather is imminent, begins at 7 p.m. Friday.
• Philadelphia International Airport has cancelled all flights on Saturday, when the worst of the storm will be passing through the region.
• SEPTA announced it will suspend service Saturday for at least 24 hours.
• Montgomery County has closed parks, trails,and historic sites across the county.
• Snowfall started in Southeastern Pennsylvania Friday evening at about 7 p.m.
• As much as 18 inches could fall through Sunday, the National Weather Service predicts.
• Here are the hour-by-hour accumulation estimates for Montgomery County.
• Wind gusts of up to 40 mph are expected.
• Travel will be “extremely dangerous” if not impossible and power outages are likely, the NWS says. Click here for tips to prepare.
• PECO says it is ready to tackle storm-related outages: find out what they’re doing in response to the blizzard.
• Pennsylvania is under a State of Emergency. Gov. Wolf is urging residents to be calm but prepared.

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