HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency to allow Pennsylvania to quickly mobilize personnel, equipment, and funding as a significant winter storm is forecast to impact much of the Commonwealth from Sunday afternoon through Monday.
What This Means for You
- PennDOT has imposed Tier 1 vehicle restrictions in eastern Pennsylvania starting at 3:00 p.m. Sunday.
- Approximately 150 National Guard members are mobilizing to support response efforts.
- Residents are urged to avoid travel and monitor updates at pa.gov/stormlatest.
The disaster declaration enables state agencies to draw down emergency funding and deploy resources before, during, and after the storm.
A disaster emergency proclamation is a legal step that expands the state’s authority to coordinate response operations and access funding more quickly during emergencies.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and the Pennsylvania National Guard are coordinating with county and local officials to pre-position equipment and deploy personnel across the state.
Forecasters expect the heaviest impacts in eastern Pennsylvania, where strong wind gusts and drifting snow could create dangerous travel conditions and bring down trees and power lines.
“Our teams at PEMA, PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania National Guard have been working around the clock to prepare for this storm and support local communities across our Commonwealth,” Shapiro said. “If you can stay off the roads, please do.”
Travel Restrictions and Road Conditions
PennDOT announced Tier 1 vehicle restrictions for eastern portions of the state beginning at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, banning many commercial vehicles and oversized loads from certain interstates and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Additional restrictions could follow Sunday evening.
Motorists are urged to avoid unnecessary travel and check conditions at 511PA.com, which provides traffic updates, weather forecasts, speed information, and live camera feeds.
“PennDOT’s county teams are prepared and staffed for this storm, and the department is surging staff and equipment eastward to assist with the storm and cleanup afterward,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.
The Pennsylvania State Police also warned drivers to slow down, increase following distance, and give road crews and emergency vehicles room to operate.
State Resources Activated
The Commonwealth Response Coordination Center at PEMA headquarters in Harrisburg has been activated and will remain staffed throughout the storm to coordinate state response efforts.
The Pennsylvania National Guard is mobilizing about 150 Soldiers and Airmen to stage in critical areas, including Philadelphia and Northeastern Pennsylvania, with essential vehicles and equipment.
Under the 2025-26 state budget, disaster response funding available to state agencies was increased from $20 million to $40 million, providing additional flexibility to respond to emergencies.
PEMA Director Randy Padfield said the declaration provides the flexibility to respond quickly and urged residents to heed guidance from local officials.
Officials emphasized that while the disaster declaration does not prohibit travel statewide, local-level road restrictions may be in effect.
Residents can find updates and safety information at pa.gov/stormlatest.
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