What to know about parking bans, snow warnings and more

PORTSMOUTH — Public works crews have begun preparing for the 2024-25 winter season and city officials are reminding residents of snow parking bans and procedures to ensure safe winter weather operations for drivers, pedestrians and city personnel.

Smart911 and Snow phone notifications: The Department of Public Works and the Portsmouth Police Department will continue to use the Smart911 alert system, which sends text, email, voicemail and Facebook notifications to subscribers. Snow parking notices are posted ahead of the anticipated snow parking ban; Warnings are issued when parking bans come into force. All notifications are distributed through Smart911 and Snow Phone at (603) 766-7669. To sign up for Smart911, visit: portsnh.co/smart911.

Cancellation of garbage collection in winter: The following trash pickup cancellation notification procedure will be followed: If the National Weather Service issues a Winter Weather Advisory (a forecast calling for 3 to 5 inches of snow accumulation or sleet or freezing rain in the next 12 hours), there will be no trash pickup the next day. The next collection will be on the normally scheduled day the following week. The goal is to notify residents of the cancellation the evening before the scheduled trash pickup so they can remove obstructions from streets and sidewalks. Information: portsnh.co/snowtifications.

Parking prohibitions in snow: Portsmouth snow plowing operations generally begin when snow accumulation exceeds five inches. If a citywide parking ban is enacted to facilitate snow removal, residents can enjoy flat-fee parking at the High-Hanover garage ($10 per exit) and the Foundry Place garage ($5 per exit); This will be effective from the moment the expected ban is announced. until 2 hours after the ban is lifted. Information on parking ban logistics and public city areas in case of snow emergencies: portsnh.co/snowimpacts.

“We know how challenging and inconvenient the parking ban is for many residents. The Department of Public Works does not want to take vehicles off the street, but may be forced to do so to perform snow removal during severe storms,” ​​said public works director Peter Rice. “We also want to make sure residents and city staff are safe when it comes to trash pickup during a snowstorm. Linking trash pickup cancellations with advance weather warnings will make it easier for residents to know whether to throw away items and keep sidewalks and streets clear for snow removal.”

This article was first published in the Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth winter 2024-25: Details on parking bans and snow warnings