Portland, Maine - Today, Portland Public Services crews have begun preparing for this weekend’s forecasted winter storm. While the predicted snowfall is significantly less than the Blizzard of 2013, the public is advised to prepare and stay alert to changing weather conditions. When snowfall begins, motorists are encouraged to avoid driving until roads are clear and safe for travel. Drivers are advised to use caution especially at intersections or hills and make sure to allow plenty of time to reach their destination. Residents and visitors who rely on on-street parking are advised to seek alternate parking arrangements while the storm is underway to help facilitate prompt snow clearing. The public should monitor the local news, visit the city’s website or call the city’s hotline at 879-0300 for up-to-date parking ban information.
These recent weather events serve as a good reminder to the public to make sure they are prepared for emergencies that keep them home – sometimes without power, heat or clean water. Make sure you have an Emergency Kit, which should include everything you may need for three days, such as water, food, batteries, flashlights, and medications. Other items to consider during the winter months include rock salt or other environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways, sand, and making sure that your home has sufficient heating fuel. Additional emergency preparedness tips include fully charging cell phones and creating a family communications plan so you know how to contact one another during an emergency. Visit www.ready.gov for more detailed information on how to prepare.
While the storm is underway, pedestrians should use caution when walking on sidewalks and should avoid walking in the streets. Storm conditions can cause iced-over walkways. To view a map of city sidewalks cleared by Public Services crew, visit the city’s website, http://www.portlandmaine.gov/sidewalkplow.pdf. Weather forecasts call for heavy snow and gale winds, which can cause downed limbs and power lines. Residents should never approach downed power lines, instead call 911 and report the area. Residents should call the Department of Public Services to report tree limbs down in city streets, 207-874-8493.
The city reminds residents of the following during a snow storm:
To improve access to public transportation, the city is a sponsor of the Greater Portland Adopt-A-Stop program. Adopt-A-Stop uses volunteers to keep area bus stops clear of snow and ice. To sign up to adopt your local stop, visit http://www.adopt-a-stop.org/.
Two five gallon buckets of a sand and salt mix are available to Portland residents for use at their homes (not for commercial use). The sand is located at the Deering Oaks parking lot adjacent to State Street behind the Castle in the Park. Sand has also been placed in front of the Cummings Center on Congress Street.
Residents able to park off-street should do so in order to allow crews to remove snow from the streets and emergency vehicles to travel as safely and efficiently as possible.
Members of the community are encouraged to help the Portland Fire Department by keeping their neighborhood fire hydrants clear of snow and ice.
If parking your car on the street, please park as close to the snowbank/curb as possible. Often people park several feet away from the curb in order to allow passengers to move in and out of the car easily. Parking the car in this manner shortens the width of the street by several feet, making it difficult for Portland snowplows to clear the street safely and emergency vehicles to respond as quickly as possible to a fire or medical emergency. If the street is impassible for an emergency vehicle, the vehicle will be towed.
Residents and visitors can sign up online at www.portlandmaine.gov to receive email notices from the city when a city-wide parking ban is declared. People can also get parking ban updates by either becoming a fan of Portland Cityline at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-Cityline/89975485748?v=wall&viewas=1348184770, receiving tweets from PortlandCitylin at www.twitter.com, or tuning in to the local news. Motorists can also call the parking ban hotline at 879-0300 or check the Time and Temperature sign for up-to-date postings.
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