It’s winter. We’re in New England. Snow storms happen.

Mayor Segarra has declared a snow emergency effective at noon on Monday. The Emergency Operating Center will be activated later in the afternoon.

Emergency Shelter

Anyone in need of emergency shelter can call 211.

The following shelters will remain open throughout the storm:  Immaculate Conception Shelter: 560 Park St, (860) 724-4823; McKinney Shelter: 34 Huyshope Ave, (860) 722-6922; South Park Inn: 75 Main St, (860) 724-0071.

Parking Ban

A citywide parking ban begins Monday at 3 p.m. and is anticipated to last until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28.

This means that cars should not be parked on Hartford streets after 3 on Monday.

Motorists who do not have off street parking could (1) ask to park in driveways belonging to friends and neighbors, or (2) park in any number of lots available during the parking ban. These lots include those at public schools (Hartford Public School employees will be dismissed at noon on Monday, making those lots open), along with the following: Morgan Street Garage, 2 Holcomb Street, Keney Park entrance lot at Ridgefield, KDA Center lot at Naugatuck Street, Pope Park Rec Center lot, Metzner Center lot on Franklin Avenue, Colt Park lot at Wawarme Avenue, and the lots in Elizabeth Park.

The City of Hartford says: “Residents should remove their vehicles from the lots promptly following the end of the parking ban and contact the Hartford Police Department with questions at (860) 757-4000. The cost for retrieving a towed vehicle is $93.59. An additional $99.00 ticket will be issued which owners are responsible for paying before the answer date.”

This should be common sense. Fewer cars on the street means plows can clear wider paths for travel. It also means less of a chance that your car will be accidentally smacked by a plow truck.

(UPDATE) Driving Ban

Governor Malloy is imposing a travel ban beginning 9p.m. on Monday. This is in place until further notice.

Emergency response and recovery vehicles will be the only ones permitted on the roadways.

Snow Removal

Tenants, property owners, and occupants are responsible for clearing snow and ice within a few hours after the storm has ended.

Fire hydrants should be cleared of snow. Do you want firefighters having to take time to shovel first before putting out a fire near you?

Other Services

Recycling and trash collection will not take place on Tuesday.