Full Notification

Hempfield Township Declares a Disaster Emergency
Roadway Travel Restrictions in Place

Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania – February 13, 2014 – Due to the critical shortage of the road salt supply, the Hempfield Township Supervisors have signed a Declaration of Disaster Emergency. This declaration has been initiated because the current snow forecast and critical salt supply levels have created a scenario that is detrimental towards public safety. This Declaration of Disaster Emergency has been deemed necessary due to the unanswered requests for emergency road salt form the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

A Declaration of Disaster Emergency is utilized when conditions are or threatens to be of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant coordinated local government action to prevent or alleviate the damage, loss, hardship or suffering threatened or caused thereby.

The Township of Hempfield has determined that current and future snowfall compounded with dwindling road salt supply may jeopardize the safety of the general public. Provisions of this Declaration of Disaster Emergency are to reduce roadway traffic while roadway conditions are potentially unsafe. Starting at 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 13, 2014 through 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 15, 2014, vehicle travel shall not permitted on roadways maintained by the Township of Hempfield.

There are some exemptions from this restriction for the general public:
- Any citizen travelling to and from their place of employment.
- School buses operating to transport student to and from educational facilities
- Any individual transporting a student or students to and from an educational facility
- Any citizen travelling to and from a hospital, medical center, or medical physician practice.
- The commercial traffic of supplies and services.

In addition, during all hours of the day the following speed limit restriction shall be in force:
- Posted speed limits of 25 mph and under shall be limited to 15 mph.
- Posted speed limits of 26 mph to 45 mph shall be limited to 25 mph.
- Posted speed limits of 46 mph and over shall be limited to 35 mph.

Instructions:

All residents are urged to only travel on the roadways if extremely warranted. The Township of Hempfield requests all unnecessary travel to be delayed until roadway conditions improve.