Winter is about to show its true face to Chester County as a monster storm is headed this way, bringing with it wind, snow, and a very good chance of a weekend indoors.
Governor Tom Wolf has declared a state of emergency ahead of the impending weather and a blizzard watch has been put in effect by the National Weather Service effective Friday through Sunday morning write Andy Hachadorian and Pete Bannan for Daily Local News.
The borough of Downingtown declared a snow emergency effective at 7 p.m. today, which will remain in effect until further notice, and is asking that all vehicles be removed from designated snow emergency routes or risk being ticketed and towed.
West Chester borough has mirrored the request to vehicle owners, adding that during the snow emergency vehicles can be parked in parking lots and garages owned by the borough free of charge.
Phoenixville Borough is declaring a snow emergency starting at 6 p.m. today, and the city of Coatesville is also declaring a snow emergency starting an hour later. The same warning for vehicles applies in both cities.
While the towns’ officials prepare for the storm, the Chester County’s Department of Emergency Services is asking residents to sign up for the ReadyChesCo.org text and e-mail service that will provide them with local emergency updates and notifications free of charge.
“To keep up to date before, during and after the storm, we urge all citizens to sign up for the text and e-mail service at www.readychesco.org,” urged Chester County Commissioners’ Chair, Terence Farrell. “This system allows your county and local municipal officials to send e-mail or text messages to cell phones, pagers or other e-mail enabled devices during an emergency.”
Commissioner Kathi Cozzone has asked all residents to follow the forecast closely and evaluate whether their need to travel is really necessary. Her best advice is to make every effort to stay off the roads in the event this storm comes to fruition.
Her colleague, Commissioner Michelle Kichline, is also reminding residents that preparedness does not only mean stocking up on food, but also making sure to have “enough water for your family and pets, fresh batteries for flashlights and battery operated radios, and enough prescription medicine to last you for three days.”
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