Winter Storm Targets Haverford: Latest Forecast, Cancellations, How To Prepare

HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP — A potentially record-breaking winter storm is predicted to hit the Philadelphia region this weekend. Forecasters estimate the area could see 12 to 18 inches of snow on Sunday continuing into Monday. See the detailed forecast here.

According to the Weather Channel, Haverford will see 1 to 3 inches of snow Saturday night, while Sunday will see 9 to 15 more inches of snow through the day and night, with winds up to 15 miles per hour. Chances of snow persist into Monday morning.

The National Weather Service said the last time at least 12 inches of snow in one day in Philadelphia was January 23, 2016, when 19.6 inches of snow fell.

Haverford Township officials said its primary objective is safety for residents, motorists, and township employees. Snow operations will proceed in phases.

Snow equipment inspections have been completed, trucks are loaded, and coordination is underway with neighboring municipalities and PennDOT, officials said. About 1,000 tons of salt have been received in advance of the storm.

Roads will be salted first, with plowing beginning once snow accumulates to about 3 to 4 inches. When snowfall becomes too heavy to keep all roads clear, crews will focus on state roads and major arterials while staging safely at strategic locations.

Public Works will assist police, fire and EMS with emergency responses during this period.

When the snowfall rate decreases, township-wide plowing, widening and cleanup will resume. Sidewalks and municipal facilities will be addressed after snowfall ends and this phase may take several days.

Approximately 40 trucks and operators will be deployed for plowing and salting with additional crews assigned to sidewalks and other municipal facilities. Under normal conditions, storm cleanup takes 8 to 12 hours after snowfall ends. Depending on timing and severity, cleanup may take longer.

The township’s first goal is to open one lane of traffic in each direction on every road, followed by curb to curb plowing and clearing storm inlets. Residents are encouraged not to clear driveway aprons until plowing is complete.

Whenever possible, residents are encouraged to park vehicles in driveways and off the street. Doing so allows plow operators to clear roads more quickly and thoroughly. Residents are also encouraged to avoid parking in cul-de-sacs whenever possible. If parking in a cul-de-sac or leaving a vehicle on or near a roadway is necessary, contact the Police Department by calling 911.

In the event of a power outage, residents should contact PECO at 1 800 841 4141, not the township.

Residents are responsible for clearing snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks in front of their property within 24 hours after the storm ends. It is unlawful to shovel or plow snow from private property into any street, roadway, sidewalk or alley and this ordinance is strictly enforced

Below are Haverford Township's snow and ice removal laws.

According to Chapter 138, Section 3 of the township code:

• It shall be the duty of property owners or persons in possession of any premises in the built-up sections of this township to remove snow from the sidewalk in front of their respective premises within 24 hours after the snowfall and at all times to keep said sidewalks free and clear of snow, slush and ice.

Fines for not following the code can be pretty hefty, too. Check out what the Chapter 138, Section 4 says of penalties:

• Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this article shall, upon summary conviction before any District Justice of the Peace pay a fine not exceeding $1,000 and costs of prosecution; and in default of one payment of the fine and costs, the violator may be sentenced to the county jail for a term of not more than 90 days. Each and every day in which any person, firm or corporation shall be in violation of this article shall constitute a separate offense. All fines here under shall be payable to the Township Treasurer.

The code also states in Chapter 157, Section 33 Part A that:

• It is hereby declared to be unlawful for any property owner, resident, his or her contractor, agent or employee, to shovel, plow, discharge or otherwise place snow removed from a private property into any street, roadway, sidewalk or alley within the Township of Haverford.

You can peruse the township's laws online here.