Lansdale Area Snow Updates: Downed Trees, Snow Alert Declared

LANSDALE, PA — A major snowstorm is battering the Lansdale area and surrounding region for the second time in less than a week. Forecasters say since it is a heavy, wet snow, it could cause widespread power outages just days after Friday's storm knocked out electricity for thousands.

A snow alert is in effect in Lansdale. Snow emergency routes must be cleared of parked vehicles to allow plows to come through. Roads where signage indicates "no parking during a snow alert" must be cleared of vehicles.

"No saving spaces with inanimate objects. Above all, just be a good neighbor. Hopefully you have enough supplies to last the storm," police said on Facebook Tuesday night.

If you have a power outage, report it to PECO at 800-841-4141. If you see any downed wires, stay away and call Lansdale Electric at 215-361-8372 with the location. Only call 911 for emergencies.

Here are the latest impacts the storm is having in the local area:

• Three trees went down on Pennlyn Pike in Lower Gwynedd near Gypsy Hill Road. They are blocking the road, authorities said.
  There was also an accident on Walnut and 7th street in North Wales, according to Montco PA Active incidents. It occurred at about 2:05 p.m. It's not yet clear if there were any injuries.
• In Upper Gwynedd, there was is a disabled vehicle on S. Broad Street near Allentown Road as of 1:58 p.m., authorities said.
• Officials are urging residents to keep off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
• North Penn schools are closed for the day Wednesday. No announcement has been made regarding Thursday.
• Borough offices are closed Wednesday.
• Council committee meetings and work sessions scheduled for Wednesday evening have also been postponed. All meetings scheduled for Wednesday have been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 14.
• More than 12,000 Montgomery County residents were without power Wednesday afternoon at around 4:30 p.m. However, no Lansdale residents were impacted.
• SEPTA has altered its regional rail schedule for Wednesday, and several delays are already being reported.
• Pennsylvania is under a state of emergency, and unnecessary travel is not advised.
• Speed limit restrictions are in place on local highways 202 and 422, in addition to other major roads around the area.
• Speaking of 422, various delays have been reported throughout the morning and early afternoon. Exercise caution if you must drive.
• The PA Turnpike has announced restrictions on empty, straight CDL weighted trucks, large combination vehicles, tractors hauling empty trailers, trailers pulled by passenger vehicles, motorcycles and RVs on I-76 between Harrisburg and Valley Forge and I-276 between Valley Forge and New Jersey and Pa. Turnpike I-476 between Mid County and Clarks Summit.

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Check back to this page for more local updates on the storm's impact.

Patch file photo