We’ve Got Your Guide to Snow Emergencies, How to Prepare, and What Your Responsibilities Are as a Business Owner
It’s the holiday season, which means winter weather is here! We have partnered up with the City of Bridgeport’s Office of Emergency Management to share information about how to prepare for a storm, what to do during and after a storm, and any responsibilities you may have as a business owner.
Before A Storm
Winter weather events, such heavy snowfall, strong winds, freezing temperatures, and ice can create unsafe living and travel conditions. It’s important to stay aware and be prepared! Here are the actions you can take in preparation for a winter storm:
Stay Informed:
- Sign up for winter weather alerts from the City’s Office of Emergency Management here.
- Follow the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s Facebook page for storm updates.
- Check bridgeportct.gov/snow for information on the forecast and snow emergency updates.
- Listen to local news outlets.
- Email Scott Appleby, Director of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, to be added to the weather and other emergency alerts email list.
Create an emergency plan and prepare an emergency supply kit. Check out this list of emergency shelters where you can stay during a storm – please note, most pets are not allowed in a shelter so be sure to plan for their care during a storm. And, ensure that your emergency plan includes updated contact information for utility providers:
- UI – Avangrid (Power): (800) 722-5584
- Eversource (Electrical): (800) 286-2000
- Eversource (Gas): (877) 944-5325
- Southern Connecticut Gas – SCG (Gas): (800) 513-8898
- Police/Fire/EMS (Emergency): 911
- Police/Fire/EMS (Non-Emergency): (203) 576-7671
- Bridgeport Health & Social Services: (203) 576-7680
- Bridgeport Water Pollution Control Authority: (203) 576-7171
Be proactive! Ensure proper maintenance for heating units, pipes, electric units, and other utilities is complete prior to a storm. Speak with your landlord to make sure they are aware of any issues, and that you know where your emergency utility shutoffs are and how they operate.
When snow is in the forecast, plan your trips for supplies, any deliveries, etc. before it snows. The less traffic the snow plows have to deal with, the faster they can work.
Snow Emergency
When the Mayor declares a state of snow emergency, parking or standing on a designated snow emergency street is prohibited until the Mayor has declared the emergency terminated. The notice of a snow emergency is sent out between 8-24 hours ahead of a storm. Snow emergency streets are then marked with signs. The police department announces on speakers to move cars and attempts to identify and contact the car owner, tow trucks directed by the police department follow those two actions as a last resort. Owners of vehicles that do not comply with the parking ban on emergency streets will have their vehicle towed and incur a minimum $130 towing fee.
Downtown Snow Emergency Streets: Broad Street, Congress Street, Fairfield Avenue, Golden Hill Street, John Street, Lafayette Blvd, Main Street, State Street, Water Street from Fairfield Avenue to State Street. Review the citywide list of the snow emergency streets here.
Parking
In the event that parking is not available on non-emergency streets, 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:
- City Hall parking lot at 30 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport, CT 06604
- Amphitheater parking lots at 2 Allen Street and 66 Railroad Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604
- Geraldine Johnson School at 475 Lexington Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604
- Cesar A. Batalla School at 606 Howard Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605
- Jettie S. Tisdale School at 250 Hollister Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06607
- Hall School at 290 Clermont Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06610
- Central High School at 1 Lincoln Boulevard, Bridgeport, CT 06606
In addition to these locations, there are paid parking garages located in Downtown Bridgeport that can accommodate additional vehicles during a snow emergency. See the Getting Around page on colorfulbridgeport.com for a complete listing of paid garages.
During A Storm
Stay inside unless it is an emergency! During the storm, you may call the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center hotline at 203-579-3800 with any snow-related emergencies. Stay informed through text alerts, social media, bridgeportct.gov/snow, and local news outlets.
Learn more about how to protect against extreme cold and heat here.
After A Storm
Once a snow emergency is lifted, the Office of Emergency Management will issue an alert that the storm has passed. Stay informed through text alerts, social media, bridgeportct.gov/snow, and local news outlets.
Plowing
Bridgeport streets that are major travel routes are prioritized to be cleared first. This allows public safety vehicles access to most parts of the city. The initial plowing activities also provide most residents with a clearing within two to three blocks of their homes and to 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 203-579-3800 or by using the mobile application Bridgeport 311.
Safety tip: Don’t allow children to play on or near the street when snow plowing/ice control is in progress. Please do not pull out in front of or attempt to pass a snowplow. Never tailgate a snowplow truck – stay at least 200 feet away at all times. If you can’t see the mirrors on the truck, they can’t see you. Give snowplow trucks backing up plenty of room.
Sidewalk Clearing
Commercial and/or residential owners must clear the sidewalk of snow, ice, or sleet within six hours of the end of a storm. Owners who push snow, ice, or sleet into the streets or do not clear snow, ice, or sleet on the sidewalks in front of their buildings are subject to a $100.00 fine for each incident. If snow, ice, or sleet are not cleared from the sidewalk, the commercial and/or residential owner, and not the City, is liable to any person injured in person or property caused by the presence of ice or snow on a public sidewalk. So! check in with your landlord to ensure that you know who will clear the sidewalk in front of your store – either the management company or a contractor – and have their contact information handy.