Philadelphia, January 26, 2015 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that a snow emergency will be declared for the City of Philadelphia beginning at 6:00 p.m. today. Mayor Nutter also announced that the City of Philadelphia dismissed all non-essential snow-fighting employees at 2:00 p.m. today. A decision regarding the closure of offices tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27th, is expected later today.rn rnFor citizens, a snow emergency means all parked cars must be moved off snow emergency routes for plowing. When relocating your car, park as far from the corner of the street as possible; vehicles parked too close to the corner impede the turning radius of plowing equipment. Snow emergency information and a map of snow emergency routes can be found at http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/highways/snow/emergency-routes/. Cars left on snow emergency routes will be relocated to accommodate plowing operations. If your car is relocated, call 215-686-SNOW to find it.rn rnThe PPA will offer discounted parking in Center City garages during the snow emergency to help alleviate parking on the street. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. today and running through the end of the snow emergency, the PPA will offer a special 24 hour flat rate of $5.00 for the following parking facilities:rn rnFamily Courthouse Parking Lot (15th & Arch Streets)rnAutoPark at Independence Mall (5th & Market Streets)rnAutoPark at Jefferson (10th & Ludlow Streets)rnAutopark at the Gallery (10th & Filbert Streets)rn8th & Filbert Streets GaragernAutoPark at Old City (2nd & Sansom Streets)rn rnAll public and parochial schools closed early today at 12:00 p.m, and a decision regarding closures tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27th, is expected later today. All early childhood and after school programs are also closed tomorrow. For more School District information and updates, contact the District's Information Hotline at 215-400-INFO (4636) or log on to www.philasd.org.rn rnRegular Tuesday trash and recycling collections will be cancelled tomorrow (Tuesday, January 27th) and postponed until next week. All rear driveway collections are cancelled until further notice. Citizens with rear driveway collections should put trash and recycling out at the curb (street side of house) when collection operations resume until further notice.rn rnThe Philadelphia Streets Department currently has 375 pieces of equipment and 800 people out on the streets. With the current snowfall projections, the City expects to treat and plow all residential streets within 48 to 72 hours after the snow ends. rn rnAll property owners are also required to clear a path of at least 3 feet in front of their property within 6 hours of the snow event ending, including curb cuts. If senior or disabled citizens need help shoveling they can call 311 to request a volunteer to help once conditions are safe to travel.rn rnThe 311 Call Center will remain open 24 hours a day to take calls for non-emergencies. Call 311 to report a street that needs salting or plowing.rn rnSEPTA’s Subway and El will continue to operate on a normal schedule throughout the evening. Bus routes may be delayed/detoured or suspended. Customers should check www.septa.org for the latest updates.rn rnCitizens should contact the Project Home Outreach Hotline (215-232-1984) if they observe a homeless person(s) in need of assistance. During the call, citizens should provide the address, location and description of the person in need.rn rnCitizens should contact the ACCT Philly hotline (267-385-3800) if they observe a dog or other pet outside during extreme cold. It is against City ordinance to leave pets outside in extreme cold and owners can be fined up to $500.rn rn###rn rnStay informed:rnTune to local news for weather updates.rnSign up for emergency alerts, weather updates, and transportation delays from ReadyNotifyPA at www.readynotifypa.org.rnFor more winter weather tips, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management online at www.phila.gov/ready. You can also follow @PhilaOEM on Twitter or find them on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube and Blogspot.rnOther City Twitter accounts to follow for information: @PhiladelphiaGov; @Philly311; @PhilaStreets; @PhillyPolice; and @PhillyFireDept.