The City of Erie reports plow crews made significant progress and more than half of the snow emergency routes are now open.

Snowplow crews and police are working Wednesday and Thursday to open the emergency snow routes throughout the city.

More than half of the snow emergency routes are now clear, but city officials are asking people who live along the  routes to move their cars.

Graders are working around-the-clock to remove thick, hard-packed ice. Crews will continue to work overnight cleaning city streets with snowplows and front loaders.

There are still more than 40 stuck or abandoned cars that are blocking streets, so police are working to tow them out of the way, so those streets can be plowed.  

The city is asking residents to follow odd-even parking and move their cars to the appropriate side of the street where parking spaces have opened up, so crews can clear the rest of the snow.

Mechanics at the municipal garage are working to keep the city's fleet of snowplows running.

Erie City Hall will be closed to the public both Thursday and Friday. Essential city employees - those involved in the clean-up effort or who must be at city hall to complete time-sensitive tasks - should report to work. All others will continue to work remotely.

The City Council Budget Study Session, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been moved to Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

The City of Erie is still operating under a disaster emergency declaration, and people are asked to stay home if possible.

Life-or-death emergencies should be reported by calling 9-1-1.

For non-emergency needs such as a non-functioning furnace, wellness checks, elderly or disabled individuals that need help digging out, dangerous snow buildup on roofs, etc., residents are encouraged to contact 211, the United Way’s resource hotline. The Erie County Emergency Operations Center is working with United Way to coordinate responding to those 211 calls.

Anyone who needs to go out for medical emergencies or to get food or medications is asked to drive slowly. Though roads are being plowed and treated, some are slick.

Staying off the road will make it easier for crews to clear streets and be ready for the next snowfall, according to the city.