PITTSBURGH — The City of Pittsburgh is outlining its plans ahead of the region’s biggest snowfall in years.
Click here for a list of closings and delays.
Click here to track the snow with LIVE RADAR.
During a press conference Friday, Mayor Corey O’Connor said the city is planning an aggressive approach to this weekend’s major winter storm.
“The priority this weekend is the safety of our residents, crews, and first responders,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor’s staff and the Department of Public Works will run a snow operations office, he said, and the city will provide snow updates on its website.
“This has to be a time where we have to be patient and just get through it,” O’Connor said. “We are expecting the worst in Pittsburgh, and we should always be planning for something like that.”
>>> Allegheny County preps for major winter storm, recommends residents stay home <<<
Pittsburgh Public Safety is making sure equipment and vehicles are ready to go.
Channel 11 has reported on problems and safety concerns with the city’s aging vehicle fleet.
O’Connor said he’s aware of what the equipment looks like, and the city is doing the best with what it can.
Although 40 trucks are down, 75 DPW trucks with plows and salt spreaders will be on the road. Nineteen additional trucks will have either plows or spreaders.
Also, environmental service pickup trucks will be equipped with plows after their runs on Saturday for Sunday’s snow.
The heavy equipment facility will be open 24 hours, and the city garage will be open through Tuesday.
The plow tracker is still down at this time.
Click here for how to prepare your house for the incoming snow.
Click here for how to prepare your vehicle for the incoming storm.
O’Connor said salt stores — currently at 8,000 tons — are believed to be sufficient, and more should be arriving within the day. Requests for southern U.S. cities have been depleting supplies for northern cities, he added.
As for staffing, O’Connor said EMS chiefs will have crewson standby, and some police detectives could be working in uniform to help. Chiefs are also planning to stage additional crews, if needed.
The city is asking people not to park on the streets so they can be clear for first responders.
The city is prepared to declare a state of emergency, if necessary, O’Connor said.
The city has been in contact with the Pennsylvania and federal emergency management agencies, O’Connor said. If a state of emergency is needed, those partnerships will allow outside contractors to help with snow removal.
“It depends on what’s coming and how the snow hits us, too. You’re not just talking about a couple inches, you’re talking about possible ice as well. Everything is being monitored,” O’Connor said.
There will be no garbage or recycling pick-up on Monday, as trucks will be dedicated to snow removal.
The city has reinstated its snow angel program after three years, with 110 volunteers currently committed, O’Connor said. Residents are also urged to check on their neighbors.
>>> Vehicle restrictions set on all Pennsylvania interstates, PA Turnpike due to winter storm <<<
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Residents are asked to give themselves extra time if they need to go out, though they should stay home if possible, O’Connor said. You can call 311 for snow removal, and only call 911 for emergencies.
As weather conditions develop, be sure to watch Channel 11 and check our website to get the latest updates.
You can watch Thursday’s press conference below:
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