Montgomery Township declares snow emergency beginning Sunday morning

A Snow Emergency has been declared in Montgomery Township effective 9 a.m. Sunday. The declaration will remain in effect until further notice.

The Montgomery Township Police Department issues a Snow Emergency when conditions warrant action to protect the health, safety and welfare of township residents.

During the emergency, all Snow Emergency routes must remain clear of parked or unattended vehicles so roads can be properly plowed. Vehicles left parked or abandoned on designated routes may be fined or towed.

The Montgomery Township Public Works Department begins preparing for winter months in advance, stocking salt and materials as early as mid-summer.

As snow accumulates, crews focus first on major “Priority One” roads. Main arteries are repeatedly plowed and kept open to ensure access for emergency vehicles and school buses. Residential streets are addressed once major roads are clear.

Cul-de-sacs are typically the last residential streets to be plowed due to lower traffic volume.

State-owned roadways are maintained by PennDOT. Township plows will assist by keeping blades down while traveling those roads, but primary responsibility rests with the state.

Salting and plowing operations

Snow operations include both salting and plowing.

• Salting begins on major roads when precipitation starts freezing.
• Salt is most effective on well-traveled roads and becomes ineffective when temperatures drop below 20 degrees.
• When snowfall depth requires plowing, salting pauses until final plowing is complete.
• Roads are monitored for icy spots and re-treated as needed.

Residents are reminded that lighter-traffic residential roads may appear untreated due to lower salt effectiveness.

Officials stress that it is nearly impossible to prevent snow from being pushed into driveway entrances during plowing. Residents are encouraged not to push driveway snow into the street, as it slows operations and can create hazards if it refreezes.

Driveway tip: Clear an area to the left of your driveway entrance while facing the street. This allows plows to deposit snow there instead of directly into the driveway.

Mailboxes should be positioned at least six inches behind the face of the curb to prevent damage. Damage caused by snow displacement is typically the homeowner’s responsibility unless directly struck by a plow.

Basketball hoops and trash containers must be removed from the Township right-of-way, generally one foot behind the sidewalk.

By ordinance, sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after snowfall ends. Property owners are also asked to clear snow around fire hydrants to assist emergency responders.

Township officials ask residents to limit travel during and immediately after snowfall unless absolutely necessary. Less traffic allows plows to operate more efficiently.

In emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency concerns, residents may contact Public Works at 215-855-0510 or the Police Department at 215-362-2301. Officials ask that residents call only when urgent issues arise, as rerouting plows slows overall cleanup.

In police, fire or ambulance emergencies, plow drivers are dispatched alongside emergency responders.

Township leaders thanked residents for their cooperation and encouraged neighbors to check on family and friends during the winter storm.

Snow Emergency routes must remain clear for the duration of the declaration to ensure safe and effective snow removal.