Mayor Bowser declared a ‘Snow Emergency’ Sunday that will remain in effect through at least Tuesday, January 7.
WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Sunday afternoon, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that she was declaring a ‘Snow Emergency’ in the District, ahead of the anticipated snow storm.
Bowser said that the city anticipates between 5 to 9 inches of snow, with the possibility of up to a foot in some areas, beginning overnight and continuing into Monday.
“The first band of intense snow will fall overnight tonight and run through midday tomorrow,” said Clint Osborne, director of the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA). “We’re expecting a lull in the snowfall, then a second band of snow in the afternoon and early evening before tapering off overnight.”
To ensure efficient snow removal, Bowser emphasized that vehicles parked along snow emergency routes must be moved by 9 p.m. Sunday.
“People who have their vehicles parked around snow emergency routes, you need to move them and you need to move them now to a new location,” said Bowser.
She said any vehicle still parked along a snow emergency route after 9 p.m., would be relocated.
“If our snow team encounters your vehicle, they will relocate it to a new location,” Bowser warned, advising residents to check the map of snow emergency routes available.
She explained that removing the vehicles allows crews to not only pre-treat the roads, but get straight to work clearing any snow that accumulates.
The city also reminded residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, allowing plow teams to clear the streets effectively. “Give our plow teams plenty of room to work during and after the snowfall,” Bowser urged.
In preparation for the storm, Director Timothy Spriggs of the Department of Public Works (DPW) shared that more than 200 pieces of equipment will be deployed to clear roads. “DPW has been in operation since 12 noon today,” Spriggs said. “We will have more than 200 pieces of equipment concentrating on residential areas as their primary focus.”
Bowser also announced the closure of D.C. public schools on Monday, January 6, due to the severity of the forecast. “Tomorrow, Monday, January 6, D.C. public schools will be closed,” Bowser stated, noting that she rarely makes such decisions. “This should tell you how serious the forecast is.”
City government operations will also be impacted, with many non-emergency in-person services closed, including recreation centers. However, employees with remote work arrangements are advised to stay home.
The mayor urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly those experiencing homelessness. “We have space and shelter for everyone,” Bowser said. “It’s very important given the forecast for this week that people come inside.” The city’s shelter hotline, available by dialing 311, can provide transportation to those in need of shelter.
The snowstorm comes amid other significant events in the city, including the certification of the 2024 presidential election and the state funeral for President Jimmy Carter.
“The counting and certification of the 2024 presidential election will occur during the joint session of Congress tomorrow, and the state funeral for President Jimmy Carter will happen Tuesday through Thursday this week so we also want you to pay attention to closures related to those events,” said Bowser.
She said both of these events are expected to proceed as planned.
“We’ve been planning appropriately, which is effective this morning. We went to a 6 a.m. full activation for all of our personnel, so all of our personnel will be working 12 hour tours from now until the end of the week,” said DC Police Chief Pamela Smith.
As the city braces for the storm, Bowser and other officials urged residents to check on their neighbors, stay informed, and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. “Our priority is the safety of everyone in our city,” Bowser emphasized, urging everyone to take the necessary precautions during this challenging weather event.
