PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Sunday’s winter storm dropped 14 inches of snow on the city of Philadelphia, prompting large-scale cleanup efforts and damage assessments.
Strong wind gusts contributed to scattered power outages and downed trees across multiple neighborhoods. City officials say the storm’s effects on Philadelphia’s tree canopy could continue well beyond the winter.
“I think they did a really good job,” said Wanda Washington of West Philadelphia, praising the city’s initial response.
Still, cleanup remains ongoing.
“There’s still a lot of potholes up there on Girard Avenue,” Washington said.
The city’s snow emergency is set to be lifted at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Any parking restrictions associated with that emergency will be lifted as well.
City leaders say they are now shifting focus to storm damage and recovery, with at least 100 reports of downed trees. A tree crushed the back of a sedan in East Mount Airy, while another fell in Rittenhouse Square.
In Spring Garden, multiple cars were damaged near Green and 17th streets.
No injuries have been reported and city arborists have completed 70 inspections so far, prioritizing the most severe cases
During a news conference on Monday, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson said damage will continue to unfold even after the seasons change.
“Heavy snow load stresses branches, root systems, and we may have additional damage in days and weeks and months to come,” Slawson said. “This moisture, this snow is going to continue to affect so early on in the spring, we may continue to see trees come down,” she added.
In South Philadelphia, a massive snow melter at 7th Street and Pattison Avenue was back in operation, melting tons of snow hauled in from around the city. It is one of three snow melters currently in use. Elsewhere, snow storage sites, including one in Roxborough, are expected to gradually melt as temperatures rise.
The city deployed more than 1,000 workers and 800 pieces of equipment over the last day to manage snow removal and storm response.
“As mayor of the city, our response is united, it is coordinated, and it is focused on public safety,” Mayor Cherelle Parker said.
City officials continue to urge residents to report downed trees and other issues.
For residents like Washington, the effort has so far been effective. “Basically, I think they did a good job. I really do,” she said.
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