Ganim Declares Show Emergency

From Mayor Joe Ganim:

In anticipation of the pending snowfall due to impact Bridgeport, Mayor Joe Ganim is declaring a snow emergency for the city to take effect at 8:00 a.m., December 16, 2020. During the snow emergency, residents must move their cars off posted snow emergency streets. December 16th is an EVEN number day; therefore, residents should park on the side of the street with addresses that are EVEN numbers. Snow emergency streets are marked with white signs with red lettering. A list of snow streets can be found on the City’s website by clicking here or the full link: http://www.bridgeportct.gov/content/341307/341423/342861/342870.aspx.

Forecast
The City of Bridgeport anticipates a significant snow fall starting late Wednesday evening and through the overnight which is projected to produce a minimum of eight inches of snow with the possibility of up to 16″ of snow along with forced winds. The Emergency Operation Center (EOC) will continue to monitor forecast updates. Current forecasts predict that Bridgeport will receive 8-16 inches of snow that will begin after 4:00 p.m. and last until Thursday morning.

Emergency Operation Plan is in effect with enforcement of No Parking on Snow Emergency streets to ensure that plows and public safety crews can clear the streets. Emergency street listings can be found at bridgeportct.gov/snow. Vehicles parked on snow emergency streets after the ban goes into effect will be subject to fines and towing.

For secondary roads, as the storm date is December 16th, an EVEN number day, cars must be parked on EVEN side of the street beginning this afternoon. The easiest way to tell the ODD- or EVEN-numbered side of a street is to check the street address of buildings. If the address ends in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) then that building is on the ODD side of the street. If the address ends in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) then that building is on the EVEN side of the street.

Snow Emergency Parking Lots
City officials advise residents to clear the streets and park on EVEN side. In the event that parking is not available for residents, Snow Emergency Parking Lots will be open to the public for parking which include all school parking lots in their district and the Health Department parking lot at 752 East Main Street.

Parking in the school and City parking lots listed will be permitted beginning this evening. Vehicles parked at the schools should be removed by 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 17, 2020.

Vehicles Towed for Public Safety Enforcement.
Owners of vehicles that do not comply with the parking ban on emergency streets or alternate side of street parking will have their vehicle towed and incur a minimum $130 towing fee.

Sidewalks
Commercial and/or residential owners who push snow into the streets or do not clear snow on the sidewalks in front of their buildings are subject to a $100.00 fine per ordinance for each incident.

Adopt a Hydrant–residents are encouraged to clear snow and make a path to a fire hydrant in their neighborhood to assist the Bridgeport Fire Department in case of fire or other emergency.

Plowing
Bridgeport Streets within the City are prioritized to clear major travel routes first. This allows public safety vehicles access to most parts of the City. The initial plowing activities also provide most residents a clearing within two-to-three blocks of their home and most destinations in the City. Other factors include locations of schools, hospitals, major commercial centers and other facilities with large public interest. For snow plowing issues, call 203-576-7130.

Any plowing issues or concerns can be reported using mobile application Bridgeport 311.

Operation Care; to help protect the homeless population from unsafe temperatures, please call 2-1-1. Homeless Outreach Team has begun contacting the homeless population to connect them to shelter such as Prospect House and Operation Hope.

Sanitation and Recycling will be suspended on Thursday, December 17th due to anticipated snow removal. Services will resume on Friday, December 17th. If your normal pick up day is Thursday, it will be postponed until Friday. All other pick up dates will be one day behind the normal schedule. Please be sure that your trash and recycling toters are shoveled out so that crews may have access for proper removal. Transfer Station will also be closed Thursday, 12/17.

Snow Related Emergencies
During the storm, residents may call the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center hotline at 203-579-3829 with any snow-related emergencies.

If residents suffer a loss of electricity call the United Illuminating customer hotline at 800-722-5584 or 203-579-3829. Both numbers are for 24-hour emergency service.

Immediate danger to life and health issues call 9-1-1.

For the latest updates and information about the snowstorm, residents are asked to check Bridgeportct.gov/snow, local media and follow the City of Bridgeport on Twitter and Facebook.