Updates

January 21, 2016 | Update

Snow Info - Office of Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau

columbia-heights.jpgWhere to get updated snow information

Your best source for information is snow.dc.gov, which will be updated by the District throughout the storm.

Parking restrictions

The Mayor has declared a snow emergency starting at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, January 22. This means starting at 9:30 a.m. parking will be prohibited on emergency snow routes, which include Georgia Ave, 16th Street, U Street, and parts of Park, Kenyon, Irving, Columbia, Harvard, Florida and 9th. A full map is here: http://1.usa.gov/1PrdET0. If your car is towed, please call 202-541-6083.

I have worked with the Mayor to provide discounted parking at DC USA for residents in the area during the snow emergency. Once the official snow emergency begins, DC USA will allow nearby residents to utilize the parking facility for the price of $1 per day. Upon arrival, after you receive your ticket go to the parking office to have your name and license plate information recorded by the attendant. On your departure, you will have to present the same ticket received in order to get the discounted parking rate. Once the emergency has been lifted, residents will have a 2-hour grace period to retrieve their vehicles. Any resident still utilizing a space after the grace period will be charged the difference at the standard rate for daily parking.

You can stay up to date about the snow emergency status by signing up for text alerts or checking snow.dc.gov.  

Trash pickup

Trash that was regularly scheduled for pickup Thursday will be collected Friday - in addition to regularly scheduled trash pickup for Friday. There is NO scheduled trash pickup for Saturday. If for any reason trash isn’t picked up Friday, please report it to 311. There were many problems with trash pickup during last year’s snow. I’ve already reached out to the Mayor’s office with the list of areas in Ward 1 that had issues to try to avoid repeat problems.

Priority areas

As you know, the plows and snow team have a lot of work ahead of them this weekend and the Mayor’s office tells us they have already begun to pretreat roads. Plows and the snow team will be focused on emergency routes and major thoroughfares first, followed by residential streets and low priority areas. As a result you might find that locations such as the Columbia Heights Plaza have not been cleared until top priority areas city-wide are snow free. If you see an ongoing problem, please use 311 or contact my constituent service team (contact info below).

Clearing your sidewalk

I have proactively reached out to major property owners in the ward to remind them of their responsibility to keep sidewalks clear. According to DC law, all residential and commercial property owners are responsible for shoveling the sidewalk in front of their building in the first 8 hours of daylight after a storm ends. If you see unsafe conditions, please use 311 to file a report.

The Resident Snow Team is a group of volunteers helping neighbors, including seniors and residents with disabilities, clear snow. You can join their efforts here: http://1.usa.gov/1ZPsVIA

Schools

DC Public Schools and public charter schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 22.

Utilities

Pepco has hired additional contractors and reports that they are actively preparing for tomorrow’s snow storm. You can report any outages by calling 1-877-PEPCO62 (1-877-737-2662), visiting pepco.com or through Pepco’s mobile app, available for download at pepco.com/mobileapp. If you are concerned about a downed wire please call 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662). You should always assume that downed wires are energized and can be dangerous.

District rules prohibit a utility company from disconnecting gas or electric used for heating if the temperature is below 32 degrees. More info: http://on.fb.me/1T9LPED

Verizon residential customers can contact Verizon at www.verizon.com/outage; small business customers can visit www.verizon.com/bizoutage. Residential and small business customers can also call 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966) to report service-related issues.

Emergency shelter for power outages

If you are without power and need a safe place to get warmth and/or power, Columbia Heights Recreation Center (1480 Girard Street NW) will be open to serve Ward 1 residents.

Warming center for neighbors experiencing homelessness

If you see someone who is experiencing homelessness or in need of shelter, take a moment to call the Shelter Hotline: 1-800-535-7252. Be sure give a detailed description of the individual you are calling about and their exact location. The shuttle will provide transportation to the appropriate shelter and/or blankets to those staying on the streets.

In Ward 1, Banneker Recreation Center (2500 Georgia Ave NW) will be used as a warming site and shelter for people experiencing homelessness during the current snow emergency.

Metro

Metrorail will be closed all day Saturday and Sunday.

  • On Friday, Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. with service both above and below ground until 11 p.m.
  • At 11 p.m. Friday, the Metrorail system will close and will remain closed all day Saturday and Sunday.
  • Information regarding the restoration of service will be at Metro’s website (wmata.com), and the MetroAlerts system (email and text messages).

Metrobus service will be very limited on Friday and will stop running at 5pm. Bus service will be closed all day Saturday and Sunday.

  • Bus service will begin the day Friday on a “severe” snow weather plan. Under the severe plan, buses operate only on major corridors. For details on which routes operate under the severe plan, visit wmata.com/snow/severe.
  • Bus service will be suspended systemwide at 5 p.m. Friday as the storm moves into the region. The last buses will depart their origin points at 5 p.m. and operate to the end of the route before ending service.
  • Bus service will remain suspended on Saturday and Sunday.

MetroAccess paratransit service for customers with disabilities will be suspended Friday after 6 p.m. To prevent customers from being stranded, MetroAccess will not begin any new outbound trips after 1 p.m. MetroAccess service will remain suspended on Saturday and Sunday.

Problems?

Report it to 311 
Call 311
Visit 311.dc.gov
Download the 311 smartphone app

Contact my Constituent Services Team
Claudia Barahona
Constituent Services Director
Office: 202-724-8043
Cell: 202-286-9741
cbarahona@dccouncil.us 

Elizabeth Horen
Constituent Services Specialist
Office:  202-724-8031
Cell: 202-394-5537
ehoren@dccouncil.us

Stay warm and stay safe!