1. Please do not place the snow from your driveway, parking space or sidewalk into the community driving lanes. The snow becomes compacted by vehicular traffic, turns to ice and is impossible to remove with a snow plow.
2. Please assist the contractors by removing snow from postal boxes, fire hydrants and storm drains. This is a snow emergency and we need the assistance of all capable residents to work together as a community.
3. Please don’t provide instructions to the snow plow drivers. Plowing is not an intuitive service, what looks possible from a common sense point of view, often is not. The drivers are tired, stressed and really need to be left alone to do their job.
4. Don’t park vehicles in driving lanes or in areas that will block snow removal contractors from gaining access to an area.
5. In most neighborhoods we are out of space to put snow and we don’t have time or equipment to physically remove it. Anticipate driving lanes will become smaller due to the increased volume of snow.
6. The existing snow is really heavy, is partially or fully frozen and virtually impossible to move with a plow. The pending snowfall is expected to deliver 10 to 20 inches of new snow and winds in excess of 30 MPH which will create significant drifting.
7. Advise residents to get fresh batteries, charge their phones, purchase food supplies and other essential items, including a full tank of gas, this morning.
8. It is highly likely electricity will be lost in a lot of areas. Be prepared to help neighbors who need assistance including the ill, handicapped and elderly.
9. Remind homeowners to clear the snow from around their exterior heat pump compressors, furnace vent pipes and window wells if possible.
10. If they lose electricity they should turn off all major appliances to prevent an electrical surge when the power returns.
11. Should the power be off for a day or so, please turn off the valve to the main water line where it enters the property, place clean containers under the lowest faucet and drain the water from the lines. Open the faucets on higher floors to facilitate draining. This will allow residents to have potable water and will help prevent lines from freezing should the temperature drop below 32 degrees inside the house.
12. If there is a power outage It would also be helpful to turn off the breaker and water supply to the hot water heater.
