Governor Josh Shapiro signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency to ensure the Commonwealth has the resources needed to prepare for and respond to the significant winter storm forecasted to impact Pennsylvania beginning Sunday afternoon and continuing through Monday. The proclamation enables state agencies to quickly mobilize personnel, equipment, and funding to support response efforts before, during, and after the storm.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania National Guard are coordinating closely with county and local emergency management officials to pre-position equipment, deploy personnel, monitor road conditions, and ensure resources are ready to support communities across the Commonwealth.
Residents can monitor the latest updates and safety information at pa.gov/stormlatest. The storm is expected to impact most of Pennsylvania, with the most significant effects in eastern Pennsylvania. Strong wind gusts combined with drifting snow are expected to create dangerous travel conditions and also may bring down trees and power lines.
PennDOT has announced Tier 1 vehicle restrictions for eastern portions of the state beginning at 3:00 PM on Sunday, Feb. 22, meaning many types of commercial vehicles and oversized loads are banned from traveling on Interstates and the PA Turnpike during the storm. PennDOT will likely announce additional restrictions later today restricting all commercial vehicles on certain major roadways in the eastern region beginning Sunday evening. Drivers are encouraged to stay off the roads during the storm and those who need to travel should check conditions first and follow all posted restrictions and guidance from state and local officials. Visit 511pa.com for more information.
“Our teams at PEMA, PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania National Guard have been working around the clock to prepare for this storm and support local communities across our Commonwealth,” said Governor Shapiro. “Today, I signed a disaster declaration to ensure our state agencies have all necessary resources ready to go. If you can stay off the roads, please do. If you must travel, be safe and follow instructions from PEMA and your local authorities.”
“This declaration gives PEMA the flexibility to respond quickly in response to this winter storm,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “While PEMA works to coordinate with state agencies and partners, we urge Pennsylvanians to stay informed, heed the advice of local officials, and make decisions that protect themselves and others.”
The Governor’s disaster declaration will allow the Commonwealth to quickly draw down funding and provide state agencies with the resources needed to assist counties and municipalities with winter storm response efforts.
“PennDOT’s county teams are prepared and staffed for this storm, and the department is surging staff and equipment eastward to assist with the storm and cleanup afterward,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We ask for cooperation from the public, as they did during the last major storm, by staying home unless travel is absolutely necessary. This allows our team to carry out their around-the-clock mission safely and effectively throughout the storm.”
“The Pennsylvania State Police is prepared and stands ready to respond to emergencies as this winter storm moves through the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Colonel George L. Bivens, Acting Commissioner for the Pennsylvania State Police. “We urge all motorists to avoid unnecessary travel. If you must travel during the storm, slow down, increase following distance, and give road crews and emergency vehicles plenty of room. Snow and ice can create dangerous conditions quickly, and our priority is keeping Pennsylvanians safe.”
“Under Governor Shapiro’s orders, the Pennsylvania National Guard is mobilizing about 150 Soldiers and Airmen to support the Commonwealth’s response to Winter Storm Hernando,” said Major General John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s Adjutant General and head of the DMVA. “Our Guard members are standing ready in the critical areas of Philadelphia and Northeastern Pennsylvania with essential vehicles and equipment to respond to the needs of Pennsylvanians and local municipalities as the storm moves through.”
Motorists are advised not to travel during this storm. While the disaster declaration does not explicitly prohibit travel, motorists should be aware of local-level road restrictions that may be in place.
PANG is mobilizing approximately 150 Soldiers and Airmen to stage at critical areas and provide support where needed, while PennDOT is positioning equipment and crews in the most impacted areas, including Northeastern and Southeastern Pennsylvania, to assist with the storm and cleanup. Travel restrictions will likely become stricter in eastern Pennsylvania and other parts of the Commonwealth beginning Sunday evening. PennDOT will provide updates as conditions change.
