News Release -- Snow Removal Update

City of Rochester

News Release

(Friday, March 2, 2018) – The City of Rochester continues its cleanup efforts after 14 to 18 inches of snow fell overnight and early this morning in the City.

The City’s Department of Environmental Services began clearing arterial routes at 1 a.m. and they are being plowed continuously. A full residential run was completed earlier today, and another run will be done tonight. A sidewalk run is in progress.

Citizens who feel their street has not been adequately plowed can call 311 and a snow inspector will be dispatched.

To track the progress of snow plows, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/plowtrax.

Motorists are asked to take their time to get where they need to go and give snow plows plenty of space to do their jobs.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing residents can do to ensure streets get cleared is to abide by alternate side parking restrictions. These regulations are important during and after snow events -- just one car parked on the wrong side of the street can be an impediment to snow plows.

Residents are also reminded that it is illegal to shovel or plow snow onto the street, sidewalk, or public right of way.

Refuse and recycling collection was delayed by one day so personnel and equipment could be re-purposed for snow removal operations. Residents whose collection day is normally Friday should place their toters and bins out on this Friday evening for a Saturday collection.

Other reminders:

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. Make sure furnace vents are not blocked by snow drifts.

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. 

KEEP PETS SAFE

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

GET EMERGENCY UPDATES

The 911 call center can notify residents of Monroe County by home phone or now by mobile phone in case of emergency using Hyper-Reach.  Home phones are already registered, but citizens should register their mobile phones. To register click here: www.cityofrochester.gov/knownow

If Police or Fire Officials need to notify citizens of an emergency they will call or text registered numbers. Hyper-Reach will also be used to notify citizens of Snow or Parking Emergencies. 

POWER OUTAGE: 

To report downed power lines or power outages, call Rochester Gas and Electric at 1-800-743-1701. Refrain from touching or removing tree debris from downed power lines.  For updates on power outages, visit: http://www.rge.com/outages/outageinformation.html

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.