News Release -- As Cold Temps Continue, Warming Centers Open Tomorrow; Mayor Warren Urges Citizens to Use Caution on Roads and Stay Safe

City of Rochester

News Release

(Friday, Jan. 5, 2018) – The City of Rochester remains under a lake effect snow warning and wind chill warning. Mayor Lovely A. Warren is urging citizens to continue to monitor weather forecasts and road closures if traveling, stay safe and check on vulnerable friends and neighbors. City of Rochester R-Centers will continue to operate tomorrow, Saturday, January 6, as warming centers for those needing temporary shelter.

“Bomb cyclone is a new term for something we know all too well in Rochester, snow and freezing temperatures,” Mayor Lovely Warren said. “I would like to urge our citizens to use caution, but also look out for any friends and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to the cold and snow.”

WARMING CENTERS: City R-Centers will be open normal hours tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Gantt Center, 700 North Street, will stay open until 7:30 p.m.

KEEP PETS SAFE: The temperatures are too cold for even the furriest four-legged family members -- Please bring pets inside!

ROAD CONDITIONS: In weather this cold, salt becomes less ineffective. Motorists should pay special attention to road and weather conditions and leave themselves plenty of time to get where they need to go and drive according to road conditions.

HEATING: If a renter has no heat, or inadequate heat, they should first contact building management. If a landlord or property manager cannot be reached, they can call 311.

FIRE HAZARDS: Residents should be mindful of fire hazards while heating their homes, and if they smell gas immediately leave the building and call 911. Space heaters should be placed at least 3 feet away from flammable objects.

WHO TO CALL: City 911 and 311 call centers see a high call volume during weather events. To avoid phone lines being overwhelmed, citizens are reminded of the following:

  • Call 911 if: You are in need of police, fire or ambulance services.
  • Call 311 if: You have questions or are in need of city services. 311 cannot tell callers when their street will be plowed or submit requests for services not offered by the City, such as shoveling driveways after a plow run.
  • Citizens can also use the City’s Plowtrax application to keep up with the progress of the City’s snow clearing operations. For more: http://www.cityofrochester.gov/PlowTrax/
  • The 211 Life Line is available for citizens with emergency needs for food, shelter or other services. For more information visit: https://211lifeline.org. This is not a City service.

SNOW REMOVAL:  The city’s snow removal policies can be found at www.cityofrochester.gov/rocsnow.

Citizens are reminded that it is their obligation to keep sidewalks in front of their homes and businesses clear. For citizens with disabilities, just one inch of snow on the sidewalk can drastically impede movement.

They are also asked to pay special attention to alternate side parking restrictions and keep fire hydrants clear.

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News Media: For more information,  contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.