(WWJ) - Multiple cities have declared snow emergencies in response to Friday’s storm.
Birmingham has a “snow emergency parking ban” in effect from 5:30 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday. The city said it is a civil infraction to park a vehicle or leave it parked on any residential roadway that has not been cleared of snow. Residents are also asked not to shovel snow into the road or someone else’ property. Vehicles will be ticketed and may be towed at the owner’s expense. Vehicles that have a handicapped parking designation will not be ticketed. Officials said the gates are open to the Chester Street Parking Structure, located at 180 Chester Street. People can park their vehicles for free. Police dispatch can be reached at 248-530-1880. Residents can also find information at https://www.bhamgov.org/about_birmingham/city_departments/public_services/snow_removal.php
South Lyon’s snow emergency is in effect from 5 p.m. Friday until 11 a.m. Saturday. Residents should remove vehicles from city streets so road crews can clear roadways.
Auburn Hills’ snow emergency is in effect from 11 a.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Saturday. Parking on city streets is prohibited. Vehicles that are parked could be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense. Officials said that abandoned vehicles along major roadways, I-75 and M-59 will also be towed.
Howell has a snow emergency in effect from noon on Friday until 5 p.m. Saturday. Vehicles must be off all streets. Vehicles that violate the order will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. Officials are asking residents to clear a path around fire hydrants as well. Residents are encouraged to check the city’s social media or the My Howell MI app for updates.
Huntington Woods’ snow emergency began at 3 p.m. and will end “once all roads have been cleared by DPW, who will be working diligently to improve conditions.” Vehicles must be off roadways. The City said the ordinance that prohibits parking on city streets from 3-5 a.m. is still in effect. Residents can find more information about Huntington Woods snow emergency policy here.
Pontiac has a snow emergency in effect from 10 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Monday. Vehicles cannot be parked on downtown streets between 3 and 6 a.m. on the days covered by the emergency. Vehicles cannot be parked on any snow emergency route. No parking on the even side of streets on even days and on the odd side of the street during odd days. Updates can be found on the city's website or their Facebook page.
Garden City does not have a time set for their snow emergency to end at this time. Vehicles may not be parked on city streets during that time. Residents can get updates on the snow emergency on GCTV, the Garden City website, local radio and TV stations or through Nixle.
Garden City and Detroit have warming centers set up for those who need them. People can warm up during a power outage and charge their phones.
Garden City said the Police Department lobby is open 24 hours a day to be used as a warming or charging center. If you know of someone that needs help dealing with the cold, you are encouraged to call the Police Department. Their non-emergency line is 734-793-1700 or you can dial 911. More information about warming centers can be found at www.GardenCityMI.org/warmingcenters
Detroit has multiple warming centers set up across the city. According to the City’s website, there are four warming centers open to “provide shelter from the cold weather, plus two meals, showers, sleeping accommodations, and housing assistance services to residents experiencing homelessness.” The locations are Cass Community Social Services, which serves women and families, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, which has sections to serve families and women and another section for single men, and the Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center, which serves men, women and families.
Residents need to call the City of Detroit’s Housing Services Helpline. It can be reached at 866-313-2520 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Veterans should call 866-313-2520 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Detroit also has locations that residents can warm up in during normal business hours. All Detroit Public Library branches are open to the public and residents can go in to stay warm. A full list of Detroit’s respite locations can be found here.
Officials also recommend that pet owners bring in pets during the cold weather. Many pets have a hard time staying warm enough when outside for long periods of time, and may develop frostbite or hypothermia, which can be fatal.
Residents should check their city's local website to stay up to date.