Harp Declares Snow Emergency

(Updated: 2:18 p.m.) Battling to keep up with fast-falling snow projected to continue on and off into the weekend, Mayor Toni Harp declared a winter storm emergency Thursday afternoon.

“We are going to be out on the streets all day long and all night long,” Harp (pictured) said at a 1:15 p.m. briefing on Winter Storm Pax at the Emergency Operations Center in the basement of the 200 Orange St. government office building. ​“We are going to fight this storm.”

Acting City Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Pugh said the declaration makes the city eligible for state reimbursement. Then the governor has the authority to make a declaration to seek federal reimbursement for handling emergencies.

“Local resources may be unable to cope” with the storm, Harp wrote in her emergency proclamation.

Plow drivers are struggling on narrow streets with accumulated snow and ice from recent storms as well as the freshly fallen white stuff; up to a foot is on the ground in places. Forecasters said the snow may turn to rain this afternoon, but then return to snow in the evening and continue into the morning. More snow is expected Friday night and Saturday.

The city has announced a downtown parking ban from midnight Thursday night to 6 a.m. Friday morning. People can park overnight in the Granite Square, Crown Street and Temple Street garages through Saturday.

“We are going to dig out now. When it wanes, we’re going to dig out again. We’re going to continue to dig out and cart out this snow so we can use our city again,” Harp declared at the EOC briefing with department heads. ​“I have confidence in you and the work that you do. Let’s get busy. Let’s get back to work.”

Harp appealed to New Haveners to help out crews and offer them coffee as they work around the clock.

Emergency operations director Rick Fontana (pictured conferring with police Lt. Jeff Hoffman) also asked neighbors to shovel out their storm drains. One big danger looming, he said, is that rain this afternoon will have nowhere to go because of blocked drains. As plows push both water and snow onto the streets, flooding and hydroplaning may result.

“They know where the storm drains are,” Fontana said of neighbors out shoveling. ​“Clear them to let the water through.”

There is close to a foot of snow on the streets, Fontana said.

“There’s nowhere for it to go,” said Fontana of the snow. ​“We will make the city the safest city in the state of Connecticut.”

Public Works Director Doug Ardnt said 35 crews are working in the streets.

Homeless shelters are allowing people to stay inside during the day, according to deputy community services chief Jackie James.

Please update us on how your block is faring with snow-plowing in this latest storm by posting a comment below. What are the conditions, as of what time? Any unusual conditions? How was the street before this latest storm began?

You can also report any snow-related concerns on SeeClickFix.