What you need to know about parking bans, snow warnings and more

PORTSMOUTH – Public works crews have begun preparations for the 2024-2025 winter season, and city officials are reminding residents of snow parking ban procedures and ensuring safe winter weather operations for drivers, pedestrians and city employees.

Smart911 and Snow phone notifications: The Department of Public Works and Portsmouth Police will continue to use the Smart911 alert system that sends text, email, voicemail and Facebook notifications to subscribers. Snow parking notices are issued prior to an expected snow parking ban; A warning will be issued when the parking ban comes into effect. All reports are distributed via Smart911 and the Snow Phone at (603) 766-7669. To sign up for Smart911, go to: portsnh.co/smart911.

Cancellation of waste collection in winter: The following notification procedure for canceling waste collections will be followed: If the National Weather Service issues a Winter Weather Advisory (a forecast predicting an accumulation of 3 to 6 inches of snow within the next 12 hours, or an accumulation of sleet or freezing rain), there will be no waste collection the next day. The next collection would then take place the following week on the normally scheduled day. The goal is to notify residents of the cancellation the evening before the scheduled trash collection so they can remove obstacles from streets and sidewalks. Information: portsnh.co/snowtifications.

Snow parking bans: Snow plowing operations in Portsmouth typically begin when snow accumulation exceeds two inches. If a citywide parking ban is issued to facilitate snow removal, residents can take advantage of flat rate parking at the High-Hanover garage ($10 per exit) and Foundry Place garage ($5 per exit), starting at the time a expected ban is announced. until 2 hours after the revocation of the ban has been issued. Information on the logistics of parking bans and city lots available to the public during snow crises: portsnh.co/snowimpacts.

“We understand how difficult and inconvenient a parking ban is for many residents. The Department of Public Works does not want to tow vehicles off the streets, but may be forced to do so to clear snow during heavy storms,” said Public Works Director Peter Rice. “We also want to make sure residents and city staff are safe when it comes to picking up trash during a snowstorm. Linking trash collection cancellations to advance weather advisories will make it easier for residents to know when to put items out – and to keep sidewalks and streets clear for snow removal.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth winter 2024-25: Details on parking bans, snow warnings