Philadelphia Grapples with Lingering Effects of Winter Storm, Heating Issues
Philadelphia residents continue to face challenges nearly a week after a major winter storm impacted the region.While the snow itself is being cleared, issues related to frozen infrastructure and heating outages persist, impacting daily life for many.
Snow Removal Efforts Continue
City crews are actively working to remove large piles of accumulated snow, particularly in South Philadelphia. Streets are being temporarily closed to facilitate the removal process, which involves loading snow into dump trucks. Residents like Maryann Mont of Greys Ferry expressed relief that the work is finally underway, hoping it will alleviate parking and pedestrian access issues. NBC10 Philadelphia reports that the city has received over 1,200 calls to 311 regarding snow removal.
City officials urge residents needing road clearance to contact 311. The process is described as time-consuming, especially on side streets in North and South Philadelphia, due to the logistical challenges of snow removal.
Sidewalks Remain Hazardous
Despite city code requiring property owners to clear sidewalks within six hours of snowfall, many remain covered in snow. NBC10 observed sidewalks near Federal and Broad Streets still wholly covered, posing a hazard to pedestrians.
Heating Outages Leave Residents in the Cold
The prolonged cold snap – eight consecutive days below freezing as of January 31,2026,with temperatures not expected to rise above 32 degrees until Monday – is exacerbating existing problems. At the Smith School Apartments in south Philadelphia, approximately 20% of units are without heat.
The Owlia family is among those affected, forced to confine themselves to a single bedroom due to the frigid temperatures in the rest of their apartment. “Here is very cold, and I had to move to only one bedroom,” said Roya Owlia. The family is actively seeking alternative housing.
This isn’t the first time the Smith School Apartments have faced heating issues. Philadelphia Licenses and Inspections records from January 20, 2026, show the building failed a property maintenance inspection and has an open mechanical equipment violation.
Building Owner Responds
OCF Realty, the building’s owner, acknowledged the problem. CEO Orrie Feibush stated that extensive HVAC repairs were completed last spring after similar issues arose last year. He expressed regret that some tenants are experiencing problems again and announced the installation of secondary heating units, as well as offering rent credits or alternative housing options. A crew is scheduled to address the repairs on Monday.NBC10 has more on this developing story.
Parking Dispute Turns violent
The challenging conditions also contributed to a violent altercation over a parking space in Kensington on Thursday. Neighbors shared their perspectives on the practice of “saving” parking spots, highlighting the tensions created by the limited availability of parking during and after the storm.
Key Takeaways
- Philadelphia is still recovering from a major winter storm.
- Snow removal is ongoing, but challenging, particularly on side streets.
- Many sidewalks remain uncleared,posing a safety risk.
- A significant number of residents are without heat, especially at the Smith School Apartments.
- The building owner is working to address the heating issues.