D.C. Prepares for Snowstorm Feb. 12-13

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Local and federal officials, transportation leaders, and organizations across Washington, D.C. on Wednesday began making preparations for a snowstorm expected to hit the D.C. metro area Wednesday night.

The federal Office of Personnel Managment (OPM) announced at 10 p.m. Wednesday evening that federal offices would be closed Thursday due to the storm.

Mayor Vincent Gray declared a snow emergency at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for the city of Washington, D.C. The snow emergency declaration meant that all vehicles parked on Snow Emergency Routes could be ticketed and towed as of 6:30 p.m. At that time, taxicabs were also permitted to begin adding a $15 charge to each of their regular fares. 

D.C. last declared a snow emergency in 2010.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Washington D.C. and surrounding areas in Virginia and Maryland up to Baltimore from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 3 p.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service predicted that snow would begin falling between 8-10 p.m. Wednesday through Wednesday night and Thursday for a total expected accumulation of 4 to 8 inches. 

The National Weather Service advised the public to avoid travel. “Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous,” they stated. “Only travel in an emergency.”

D.C. public schools and numerous education facilities in the region, including Prince George’s, Montgomery, Arlington and Fairfax county public schools, planned to close Thursday due to inclement weather.

Area transportation systems also began announcing closures Wednesday.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced Wednesday evening that Metrobus will operate under Severe Snow Emergency Routing Thursday, limiting service to major arteries. Late-night Metrobus service was scheduled to be canceled after 1 a.m. Thursday morning and MetroAccess service for riders with disabilities was due to be suspended Thursday.

For further WMATA updates, visit their website’s service status advisory page for Feb. 13, or receive real-time cell phone and email updates by signing up for MetroAlerts.

D.C. law requires property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks, handicap ramps and steps on their property within the first eight daylight hours after the snow, sleet or ice ceases. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) on Wednesday asked property owners to pretreat sidewalks with salt and reminded them to remove snow accumulation. 

In the event of a federal government closure due to weather, the DowntownDC BID maintains a minimal Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) staff to address pressing issues in the DowntownDC BID and report hazardous conditions such as fallen tree branches, downed lamp posts, broken traffic signals and deficiencies including snow on handicap ramps and overflowing trash cans. 

The BID will continue to work with its partner, Pathways to Housing, to assist people who are homeless during the storm. During extreme weather, SAMs focus on reporting and assisting homeless individuals to ensure their safety.

The city of D.C. announced plans Wednesday to open extra warming sites Wednesday night for homeless people and stated that a hypothermia alert would be reactivated at 7 p.m. Wednesday. If members of the public see a homeless person who appears to be in distress due to the elements, they are asked to contact the city’s Hypothermia/Shelter Hotline at 1-800-535-7252.

For further information on snow removal, emergency route policies and other snow policies and procedures in the District, please visit snow.dc.gov.

This site will be updated as additional information on federal and local government closings and/or other storm-related emergency information is made available.