Tredyffrin Township Announces Snow Emergency

BERWYN, PA — Tredyffrin Township has declared a Snow Emergency set to begin at 8 p.m. Sunday. The emergency declaration will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Monday.

During this period, parking will be prohibited on all designated snow emergency routes within the township. Residents are also not permitted to park in the circular sections of any cul-de-sac, as this can hinder snow removal efforts. Further information regarding the township's code on snow emergencies is available online.

Cleanup operations following a storm of this size are anticipated to take 10 to 12 hours after the snow has stopped falling. The township advises residents to follow updates provided by the National Weather Service regarding the storm's progression.

>>>RELATED: 18 Inches Of Snow Now Possible As Winter Storm Warning Issued In PA<<<

Community members are encouraged to avoid traveling on snow and ice-covered roads, especially overpasses and bridges, due to potentially poor road conditions. If travel is necessary, main roads should be used, and routes that include extreme curves or hilly areas should be avoided. Traveling when visibility is poor is not recommended.

Motorists who must drive should maintain a safe distance from plow trucks and be aware that plow drivers may have limited visibility. Sudden stops or turns by plow trucks should be anticipated. It is also advised to carry a mobile phone and essential medical information when traveling, ensuring necessary medications are on hand.

If travel is unavoidable, residents should inform someone of their destination and expected arrival time, asking them to contact the police department if they do not check in. Before leaving, checking and restocking winter emergency supplies in vehicles, such as water, a snow brush, an ice scraper, and warm clothing or a blanket, is recommended.

Clearing all snow and ice from vehicle windows, headlights, and taillights is crucial for maximum visibility. Residents should never attempt to remove ice or snow from a windshield by striking it or pouring water on it, as this may cause shattering. In the event of a medical emergency, individuals should call 911 for transport to a medical facility.

Below are Tredyffrin's snow and ice removal laws:

• Clearing of sidewalks. Not later than 30 hours after snow or sleet has ceased to fall, it shall be the duty of all tenants or occupants of occupied properties and the owners or agents in charge of unoccupied properties abutting on public streets in Tredyffrin Township to clear or cause to be cleared a pathway in the sidewalk in front of their respective properties in the event of snow, or to cover the sidewalk with salt, cinders, sawdust or similar ice-control materials in the event of ice or sleet. Such pathway shall be not less than 24 inches in width and shall be thoroughly cleared of snow and ice. To the extent that the private property includes a fire hydrant, the same persons shall be responsible for maintaining a cleared pathway to the hydrant.
• Depositing of snow and ice in certain areas. Where snow and ice are removed from the pathway, it shall not be piled or placed in the gutter, in any stormwater sewer inlet, or obstructing any fire hydrant.
• Depositing of snow and ice in public street prohibited. Snow and ice removed from sidewalks, driveways and other private property shall not be deposited, shoveled, pushed, thrown or plowed from any sidewalk, driveway, parking lot or any other area onto any public street.
• Any person, firm, or corporation who or which violates or permits a violation of §177-12A and/or B, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding, shall pay a fine of not more than $300, plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the Township in the enforcement of § 177-12A. No judgment shall be imposed until the date of the determination of the violation by the District Magistrate and/or Court. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable rules of civil procedure. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.
• Any person, firm, or corporation who or which violates or permits a violation of §77-12C, shall be guilty of a summary offense, punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 plus costs of prosecution for each offense and/or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.
• The continuation of a violation for each successive day shall constitute a separate offense, and the person or persons allowing or permitting the continuation of a violation may be punished as provided above for each separate offense.

See the full Tredyffrin Township code for snow and ice removal here.