Winter storms can range from moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard that lasts for several days. Regardless of the severity of a winter storm, Horsham Township wants the community to be prepared and remain safe during these events. Many winter storms bring low temperatures, strong winds, sleet and freezing rain. Make sure you have emergency supplies for your entire household in case you end up having to remain in your home for a few days.
Horsham Township recognizes the importance of snow removal, not only to residents, but to everyone who needs to travel to or through our community. Help us, help you during a snow event by doing the following:
- Once snow accumulates two (2) inches or more and until the roadway is cleared by the Public Works Department, no vehicle, trailer, boat or camper may be parked in the roadway.
- It is impossible for snowplows to avoid having snow placed at the bottom of driveways. Unfortunately, this is the reality of snow removal. A helpful hint, that may limit the amount of snow in your driveway, is to shovel snow in driveways to the right side of the driveway (as you face the road) and clear the area immediately to the left of your driveway.
- Keeping sidewalks safe is an important winter concern. Please clear snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks in front of your property no more than 24 hours after a storm as required by township ordinance. Please help to ensure that our children get to and from school as safely as possible during the winter months.
- Please do not shovel, blow or plow the snow from your driveway and/or sidewalk into the street.
- Remove trash and recycling cans, basketball nets from the roadway to avoid damages.
- Keep the storm water inlet open near your property. Keeping it open will prevent flooding and icing conditions on the street.
- If you have a fire hydrant on your property, please help the Horsham Fire Co. help you by clearing 3 feet in all directions so it is visible from the road, and easily accessible to connect a fire hose to it. Snow accumulation or the result of plowing and snow clearing can completely cover or restrict access to fire hydrant.
- After a severe storm, the township road crews are required to clear roads and right-of-ways of fallen trees/branches (not in electric wires) for traffic and accessibility should there be an emergency. Should trees/branches belonging to a homeowner fall on a road or right-of-way, the road crew will clear the abstraction from the roadway - but it is the responsibility of the homeowner for its proper disposal.
- To avoid any interruption in your mail service from the post office, please remove all snow from in front of your mailbox. Additionally, check that your mailbox and post are in good repair and that they are behind the curb, not leaning out over the street.
Problems may be reported to Horsham Township on our website (www.horsham.org) at Report a Concern.
PennDOT clears the following 23.72 miles of state roads: County Line Road, Easton Road (Route 611) and Route 309. For questions or concerns contact PennDOT at: (610) 275-2368
The Public Works Department works extremely hard to make traveling on Township roads safe for everyone. Please be patient and allow time for them to arrive in your area and effectively remove snow and ice from the streets.
Winter Emergency Preparedness Brochure What is a Snow Emergency?
Declaring a Snow Emergency in the Township helps ensure the safety and efficiency of the employees working to remove the snow and ice. It also provides better and easier access to roads for emergency police, fire, and emergency medical services vehicle access as this becomes a very busy time for our emergency responders.
- No vehicles shall be parked to impede or obstruct snow/ice removal efforts or create a hazardous condition.
- Please remove cars, trailers, boat or campers as well as portable basketball hoops, trash cans and recycle containers from the street.
- Sidewalks should be cleared or covered with salt or sand or similar substances or materials within 24 hours after the cessation of the snow/ice event.
If possible, please stay off of the roadways and allow crews to clear the roads. If you are out on the roadways and come upon downed wires DO NOT approach or touch them.
The Township appreciates your cooperation and hopes that all residents understand that a snow emergency is not intended to inconvenience but rather to be helpful in promoting the most effective and efficient removal of snow and ice from the Township roads and highways.