(Washington, DC) – Tonight, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that on Thursday, February 11, DC Government and DC Public Schools will open on time. Vaccination sites will also open on time. Public COVID-19 testing sites will be closed on Thursday.
The Department of Parks and Recreation is also cancelling swimming reservations between 6 am and 8 am; but, beginning at 8 am., reservations will resume as scheduled.
Earlier today, Mayor Bowser deployed the District Snow Team in advance of snow falling Wednesday through Thursday and possibly into Friday. The deployment consists of 138 heavy plows (six- and 10-wheel dump trucks) to treat highways, streets, bridges, ramps, and other elevated structures and 81 light plows (pickup trucks) to treat smaller streets. On Monday evening, brine application crews began spraying the “hot mix” combination of brine and beet juice on bridges, ramps, and other elevated structures to lower the temperature where ice bonds to the pavement.
The Snow Team is also pre-treating and will remove snow at municipal buildings, DC Public Schools, first responder locations, hypothermia centers, homeless shelters, and COVID-19 testing sites.
Hypothermia Alert and Shelters
If you see someone outside in need of shelter or a welfare check, during freezing temperatures, call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093, or dial 311. If there is an immediate risk to safety call 911. Transportation to shelter is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Winter Weather Tips
- Find your snow shovel and make sure it is adequate for another snow season.
- Check your supply of abrasives – deicer, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter – and get more if necessary. The District has used pet-friendly deicer on its pedestrian bridges for several years and found it to melt ice effectively and be easy on pets’ paws.
- Have enough over-the-counter and prescription medications for your family and pet(s).
- Make sure your gutters are cleared of leaves. You don’t want leaves to block the flow of rainwater that may freeze.
- Turn off all outdoor water faucets.
- Keep your vehicle’s fluids tanks – gas, water, antifreeze and windshield wiper – full.
- Have a flashlight, blankets, and scrapers in your vehicle before a storm begins.
The District Snow Team will continue to monitor the weather forecast and adjust its response as necessary. For more information about DC’s snow program and preparing for winter weather, visit snow.dc.gov.