Montco Prepares For Major Snowstorm, Residents Told To Stay Home

NORRISTOWN, PA — While forecasters still can't say for certain just how much snow may fall in Montgomery County this week, officials are doing what they can to prepare for a major storm. A "code blue" cold weather emergency declaration was made on Monday.

Crews are ready to work "around the clock" throughout the storm Wednesday and Thursday to keep roads passable for emergency workers. But residents are urged to avoid nonessential travel.

"I strongly encourage all Montgomery County residents to stay home during the winter storm and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary,” Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said Tuesday. “Our roads and bridges workers are ready to treat county roads and help keep them passable for emergency responders, healthcare staff, and other critical workers."

>>Latest PA Storm Forecast: 18 Inches Of Snow Possible Wednesday

Predictions for how much snow could hit the area vacillate widely. As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service said that Norristown could see three to seven inches could fall Wednesday, with another nine to 13 inches into the evening. These forecasts vary by locality; in Green Lane, for instance, forecasters say that up to 12 to 18 inches is possible Wednesday night.

The county maintains more than 75 miles of roadway and 131 bridges, which they said is the equivalent of 150 "snow lane miles" — counting the lanes of a road into the equation — that need to be covered.

RELATED: If Big Snowstorm Hits, North Penn Plans 'Traditional Snow Day'

To handle that load, the county has 14 snowplow drivers, eight subcontracted road workers, 11 tucks with both salt spreaders, two dump trucks with plows, and three front-end loaders used to fill trucks with salt, and replace salt at the county's storage facilities.

That's all in addition to preparations being made at the municipal level. Some townships and boroughs, like Royersford, have already declared a snow emergency, meaning vehicles must be moved away from snow emergency routes.

While most local schools are in a fully virtual or hybrid learning format, some are weighing the idea of a "traditional" snow day for students who have had such a nontraditional year.

Additionally, widespread power outages are possible. Outages should be reported to your local utility provider, not 911.

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