PA SNOW: Pennsylvania Governor Wolf issues a disaster emergency due to the winter storm

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (WPVI) – Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has issued a disaster emergency as a major winter storm continues to shed snow across the region on Monday night. More than 50 centimeters of snow has fallen in some areas of the community since the storm started Sunday night.

“We are in the midst of one of the most impactful state storms we’ve had in a long time,” said Under-Secretary for Highway Administration, Melissa Batula. “This is really a situation that involves everyone on deck and our teams are working hard to keep the roads safe and passable.”

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There has been nothing but dark conditions all night in the Lehigh Valley.

Plow trucks were everywhere. They are doing their best to clear the main roads around Allentown and Bethlehem. But with snow falling like on Monday, it is a difficult task.

Pat Deginto, 71, from Allentown, was cleaning his sidewalk for the third time and it was only 5:00 pm.

“I’m thinking that next year I’m going to move to Florida,” she said.

Dennis Hafemann was also trying to stay on top of the accumulation.

“I’m always ready for that. I’ve already done an excavation and I’m going to excavate again,” said Hafemann.

Authorities said a 67-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease who allegedly left her home was found dead from hypothermia on an Allentown street on Monday morning. About 60 miles north of Plains Township, a shootout after an argument over snow removal killed a couple, and the suspect was found dead in his home near an injury believed to have been self-inflicted, officials said. from Luzerne County.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the people involved had a long-standing conflict, but “this morning, the dispute was exacerbated by a disagreement over snow removal,” prosecutor Stefanie Salavantis said.

In Montgomery County, the teams controlled a mixture of snow and hail, making the roads icy.

At some points on Monday, plow trucks began to spread salt and brine to keep the roads from freezing.

SEE TOO: Montgomery County in snow emergency, drivers are encouraged to stay home

In Springfield, Delaware County, families have been crowding on a hill outside the local police department all day. From children to parents who call themselves big children, they didn’t get tired.

The storm caused authorities to impose speed restrictions on the community’s many highways.

Drivers are advised to avoid travel during the storm, if possible. But if you need to travel, be careful, slow down and be aware of changing weather conditions.

“During the storm, PEMA is working with our state and local partners to ensure that we have a clear understanding of the storm and how it is affecting different parts of the state,” said PEMA director Randy Padfield. “We are particularly concerned about sending and delivering COVID-19 vaccines, so we thank citizens who are taking this storm seriously and staying off the road because fewer vehicles means fewer incidents that can delay these operations.”

PennDOT implemented Level 1 of the vehicle restriction plan for Commonwealth weather events across all interstates in Philadelphia. This includes the following roads: I-76, I-95, I-295, I-476 and I-676.

Under Level 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not allowed on the affected roads:

-Tractors without trailers
– Tractors that tow unloaded or lightly loaded closed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers
-Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers
– Closed cargo delivery trucks that meet the definition of a CMV
– Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickups, etc.) towing trailers
– Recreational vehicles / motorhomes

– School buses, commercial buses and motorized buses that do not carry chains or Alternative Traction Devices (ATDs)
-Motorcycles

A 45 mph speed restriction remains in effect on the interstates mentioned above, as well as on the following main roads:

– US Routes 1, 30, 202, 422
– State routes 63, 100 Spur and 309

Level 1 and speed restrictions will remain in effect until conditions warrant their removal.

Why the I-95 corridor can be the dividing line between snow and rain