Mayor Evans Announces State of Emergency Due to Severe Winter Storm

Community Submission
4 minutes ago
3 min read

Rochester, NY - In response to the winter storm conditions, Mayor Malik D. Evans has issued a State of Emergency for the City of Rochester, and advises no non-essential travel through mid-morning on Monday.

“With a significant amount of snowfall and sub-zero temperatures predicted throughout our region, it is in our residents’ best interests to stay home and stay safe through at least mid-day on Monday,” Mayor Evans said. “Reducing travel will give plows the space and time to clear the roads, and we’ll be able to resume at full capacity on Tuesday.”

City Facilities Adjusting Hours:

Three City R-Centers will be open with reduced hours on Monday. The following locations will be open from 12 noon to 4 p.m., and will provide lunch and dinner:

Thomas P. Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Ave.
Edgerton R-Center, 41 Backus St.
Trenton and Pamela Jackson R-Center, 485 N Clinton Ave. (the pool will also be open during this time period)

The Central Library, 115 South Ave., will also be open Monday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. City Branch Library locations will be closed.

Other City facilities will be closed to the public on Monday and will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, Jan. 27:

City Hall, 30 Church St.
Hon. Loretta C. Scott Center for Human Services, 57 St. Paul St.
Rochester Water Bureau, 10 Felix St.
Rochester Animal Services, 184 Verona St.
Genesee Valley Sports Complex and Ice Rink, 131 Elmwood Ave.
MLK Park Ice Rink, Manhattan Square Park
Rochester Community Sports Complex, 460 Oak St.

City refuse and recycling pickups will be delayed by one day.

City winter weather operations and citizen responsibilities include:

City crews are staffed 24 hours per day and plow major and minor arterial streets.
Private contractors hired to plow residential streets will begin plowing when the snow accumulation reaches three inches.
It is especially critical that motorists follow posted alternate-side parking regulations to ensure plows can clear streets effectively.
To control ice, salt is applied on main arterial streets and on some secondary roadways with special features (e.g., streets with schools, bus routes, bridges, hills, etc.).
Generally, salt is not applied to residential streets, given the sheer amount of salt required and the negative environmental impacts.
City sidewalks are plowed when four inches of new snow have accumulated.
Property owners are responsible for keeping sidewalks adjacent to their property clear of snow and ice.
Snowplow operations can be tracked in real time using PlowTrax, available at: www.cityofrochester.gov/plowtrax.
Shoveling or plowing snow from private property onto sidewalks, roads or fire hydrants is illegal.
Check on neighbors who may be homebound and offer to shovel their sidewalk or walkway.

Safety Reminders:

The City also reminds residents that the risk of fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other hazards can increase during frigid weather. Residents should take the following measures to stay safe during the cold snap:
Do not leave pets outside.
Never use stoves or other cooking appliances to stay warm.
Space heaters should be placed on a level surface away from foot traffic, at least three feet from combustible materials. Inspect the cord for fraying, and after plugging it in, periodically feel the cord near the outlet to make sure the plastic is not getting hot. Do not run space heater cords under rugs or carpeting, and never use an extension cord for a space heater. Keep children and pets away, and turn off the space heater when leaving the area.
Generators must be placed outside to avoid exposure to carbon monoxide.
Limit the amount of time spent outdoors and cover any exposed skin.
Check on elderly family members and neighbors.
To report a power interruption, call RG&E at 1-800-743-1701.

For more information about winter weather safety, parking regulations, and the latest news for travel advisories, closures, cancellations, and refuse delays, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/rocsnow.