Allegheny County officials today assured residents that they are prepared for the second snow storm heading toward Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The Allegheny County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been in continuous operation since last Friday. Allegheny County declared a disaster emergency at 6:30 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 6, as a result of severe winter weather conditions and heavy snowfall. The county remains under the emergency declaration.
The EOC is fully staffed, and all technical systems are up and running in advance of the storm. In addition to Allegheny County Emergency Services personnel, staff members from the county’s public works and human services departments are on hand, as are the American Red Cross, National Guard and PennDOT. The county’s 9-1-1 center is at maximum staffing.
Allegheny County Public Works will have 51 large- and medium-sized plow/salt trucks in operation during the storm, as well as eight high-lift loaders and five backhoes, to clear the 810 lane-miles of county-owned roads. The county will also deploy six heavy-duty pickup trucks with plows and salt spreaders to clear parking lots and other areas at county facilities.
Public Works reports sufficient salt supplies to treat county roads during the storm. The county also has additional plow blades on hand to replace damaged and worn equipment in order to maintain maximum snow removal operations. County road crews started round-the-clock staffing and coverage at 12:30 p.m. today.
Allegheny County’s other 24-hour operations, including the Kane Regional Centers, Medical Examiner’s Office, jail and Shuman Juvenile Detention Center are fully staffed and stocked with needed supplies and provisions. The jail has canceled all visitations until further notice, and Shuman Center has canceled all visitations and clothing drop-offs until further notice.
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging has been taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of high-risk older adults who are registered for care management with the agency. This includes repeated phone calls to frail and homebound individuals, especially those who live alone. Additionally, many home-delivered meal participants who are considered the most vulnerable have received multiple meals and emergency supplies.
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services Office of Community Services, in partnership with Pittsburgh Mercy Health System’s Operation Safety Net, is operating a Severe Weather Emergency Shelter (SWES) program. During these severe weather conditions, the SWES program is providing food, clothing, counseling and warmth for the homeless population who typically live on the streets.
The SWES is located at the Smithfield United Church at 620 Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh. Hours of operation are 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The YMCA of McKeesport at 523 Sinclair Street is also serving as a satellite Severe Weather Emergency Shelter for street homeless in McKeesport and the Mon Valley area.
Additionally, the Northside Common Ministries Pleasant Valley Shelter, Wellspring and Good Shepherds Heart Fellowship drop-in centers will remain open during the day to accommodate homeless and provide warm meals.
Currently, there are 8,286 customers without electrical service in Allegheny County. Allegheny Power is reporting 5,286, and Duquesne Light is reporting 3,000.
For emergency preparedness information, visit the Allegheny County Emergency Services website at www.alleghenycounty.us/emerserv.
For carbon monoxide safety information and other health information, visit the Allegheny County Health Department website at www.achd.net or call 412-687- ACHD (2243).
Important Numbers & Resources
· Emergencies –9-1-1
· Allegheny Power – 1-800-255-3443 or www.alleghenypower.com
· American Red Cross – 1-888-217-9599 or www.swpa.redcross.org
· Duquesne Light – 1-888-393-7000 or www.duqlight.com
· Pittsburgh 311 Response Line (non-emergencies) – 3-1-1 or www.pittsburghpa.gov/311.htm
· Other municipalities – www.alleghenycounty.us/munimap/index.asp or consult your telephone directory
COUNTY GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS UPDATE
Allegheny County Emergency Services
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal is requesting all residents and businesses in Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh to keep fire hydrants clear of snow and other debris so firefighters can easily locate and access them. Please identify the fire hydrant nearest to your home or business and remove snow and other debris from around it. If the nearest hydrant is already clear, please do not pile snow around it.
Allegheny County Emergency Services asks motorists to limit driving as much as possible tonight to allow public works crews, power companies and emergency responders to conduct their work.
Allegheny County Public Works
Cliff Mine Road in North Fayette Twp. and Lougeay Road in Wilkins Twp. are now open.
Trees are continuing to fall and bring down power lines in some areas. The following county-owned roads are currently closed:
Enlow Road in North Fayette Twp. (downed power lines)
Pangburn Hollow Road in Forward Twp. (downed trees)
Broadlawn Drive in Elizabeth Twp. (downed power lines)
Allegeny County Fire Academy
All classes at the Allegheny County Fire Academy are canceled on Wed., Feb. 10.
Community College of Allegheny County
CCAC will be closed all day and evening on Wed., Feb. 10. All CCAC campuses and centers are closed, including all offices, classes and activities. Nursing students should not report to clinicals. Please monitor www.ccac.edu and the campus hotlines for updates.
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Port Authority is providing update on its website at www.portauthority.org and its Twitter site at twitter.com/pghtransit.
Allegheny County Human Services
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging continues to encourage residents to check on older adults who live alone to ensure their well-being and safety during this severe winter weather. This includes verifying that their homes are well heated and that they have enough food, water and medication to last for several days. If the house feels cold, make sure the furnace is working. Be alert to dangerous methods of heating a room, such as open flames or ovens.
Teenagers who are home from school on a snow day are encouraged to volunteer to shovel a driveway, walk a dog, or run an errand to help an older person during this severe weather event.
Information about programs and services for older adults is available by contacting SeniorLine at 412-350-5460 (TDD/TTY 412-350-2727) or seniorline@alleghenycounty.us or by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/olderadults.aspx.
Allegheny County Shelters
In response to the severe snow storm which struck our region, the American Red Cross and its partner agencies have opened multiple shelters in strategic locations in the area. If you are in need of warmth, food, or a place to stay, you are encouraged to go to the nearest shelter.
Bethel Park – Hamilton Presbyterian Church, 4500 Hamilton Road
Elizabeth Twp. – Elizabeth Forward High School, 1000 Weigles Hill Road
Elizabeth Twp. – Blaine Hill Fire Department, 409 Oxford Avenue (Pet Friendly)
If you must go to a shelter, please be sure to bring bedding, extra clothes, personal hygiene supplies, snacks, and other supplies with you. It is also suggested that you bring books, games, portable music players with headphones, or something else to pass the time, especially for children. Meals will be provided.
For additional information on the American Red Cross shelters, call 1-888-217-9599 or visit www.swpa.redcross.org.
Allegheny County Warming Centers
Warming centers will continue to operate this evening. Warming centers are places where people can go, get warm and have a hot beverage and snack. The currently open warming centers are:
- Baldwin Borough – McAnnulty Elementary School, 5151 McAnnulty Road
- Bethel Park – Community Center, 5151 Park Avenue, open 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Collier Township – Municipal Building, 2418 Hilltop Road
- Dormont – Municipal Building, 1444 Hillsdale Avenue
- McKeesport – 6th Street Towers, 601 6th Street
- McKeesport – Palisades Dance Hall, 100 Fifth Avenue
- Mt. Lebanon – Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road
- North Braddock – Municipal Building, 600 Anderson Street
- North Fayette Twp. – Pittsburgh Technical Institute, 1111 McKee Road, open 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Scott Twp. – Vanadium Woods, 50 Vanadium Road
- Upper St. Clair – Fire Station, 2001 Washington Road
Allegheny County will notify the public as warming centers open or close.
Emergency Declarations
Allegheny County declared a disaster emergency at 6:30 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 6, as a result of severe winter weather conditions and heavy snowfall. The disaster emergency declaration enables Allegheny County to take all necessary actions to address storm-related issues, including bypassing standard procurement and contract procedures to hire temporary workers, rent equipment, and purchase supplies and materials if needed. The declaration also positions the County to request resources, assistance and funding from the Commonwealth and federal governments if needed.
In addition to Allegheny County, the following 47 municipalities have declared emergencies: Bethel Park; Braddock Hills; Carnegie; Castle Shannon; Clairton; Crescent Twp.; Dormont;
Elizabeth Borough; Elizabeth Twp.; Etna; Findlay Twp.; Forest Hills; Forward Twp.; Fox Chapel; Glassport; Green Tree; Heidelberg; Jefferson Hills; Kennedy Twp.; Leet Twp.; Lincoln; McKeesport; Millvale; Monroeville; Moon Twp.; Mt. Lebanon; Mt. Oliver; Munhall; North Fayette Twp.; North Versailles Twp.; O'Hara Twp.; Pittsburgh; Pleasant Hills; Plum; Ross Twp.; Scott Twp.; South Fayette Twp.; Springdale Borough; Swissvale; Verona; West Elizabeth; Whitaker; White Oak; Whitehall; Wilkins Twp.; Wilkinsburg; and Wilmerding.
Comments