Washington, DC

(Washington, DC) - With a heavy snowfall predicted, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced today that a snow emergency will go into effect at 7 am on Tuesday, February 17.  By declaring a snow emergency, the District Snow Team (Department of Public Works and Department of Transportation) will be able to clear snow emergency routes curb to curb.  To learn where a vehicle has been towed, call the Towed Vehicle Locator office at (202) 541-6083 or go to dpw.dc.gov/service/locate-towed-vehicle.

The snow emergency will remain in effect until an announcement is made that it has been lifted.  Motorists are asked to tune into television and radio broadcast stations or go to www.snow.dc.gov for a notice that the snow emergency has been lifted.

Vehicles ticketed for a snow emergency violation and towed by DPW will be taken to the DPW Impound Lot at 5001 Shepherd Parkway, SW 20032.  The lot is open weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm, the telephone number is(202) 645-5500.  The lot is closed weekends, holidays and when DC government is closed. Vehicles also may be towed by private towing companies, and vehicle owners can learn where their vehicle has been towed by calling the Towed Vehicle Locator office at (202) 541-6083. To have an impounded vehicle released, these fees must be paid before the vehicle will be released:

• $250 ticket for the snow emergency violation.
• $100 tow fee.
• $20 per day storage fee.

Additional fees also may be required to be paid, e.g., fees for tickets older than 60 days that have not been entered into the adjudication system.

These fees may be paid at the impound lot by bank debit card, credit card (Mastercard, Visa and Discover) or online through the Department of Motor Vehicles Website -- dmv.dc.gov.

Winter Weather Safety and Preparedness Tips:  Motorists are asked to clear all snow from the vehicle first then drive cautiously.  Assist elderly or disabled neighbors with clearing their sidewalks. Also, for plow drivers’ safety, “Don’t crowd the plow.”  Residents are encouraged to go to snow.dc.gov for updates before, during and after winter storms, and for tips to get one’s home and family prepared for inclement weather.  Residents also may sign up at alertdc.dc.gov to receive emergency alerts and notifications from Alert DC.

The Department of Public Works would like to remind its trash and recycling collection customers that because of Presidents Day, Monday, February 16, Monday’s collections in once-a-week collection neighborhoods will slide to Tuesday and Friday’s collections will be made Saturday. Collections in twice-a-week neighborhoods also will slide. Monday’s and Thursday’s collections will be made Tuesday and Friday while Tuesday’s and Friday’s collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday. If the weather should prevent making trash and/or recycling collections, residents are asked to hold onto these items until the next collection day.

To track the plows, go to snow.dc.gov and click on Track Our Plows: http://snowmap.dc.gov/. 

Social Media:
Mayor Bowser Twitter: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser Website: mayor.dc.gov
DPW Twitter: @DCDPW
DPW Website: dpw.dc.gov
DDOT Facebook: facebook.com/DDOTDC
DDOT Website: ddot.dc.gov