Tips for Hoyas to Stay Warm and Safe in DC Weather

By Siddharth Bharani-Dharan

The Washington DC area was hit with a rough snow and ice storm, making conditions difficult and unsafe for residents. Georgetown graduate students live throughout the DMV area and were either snowed in or faced a lot of difficulty in getting around. Both the Hilltop and Capitol Campuses were closed from Sunday through Wednesday,  rendering a lot of key campus resources and transportation options unavailable.

While main roads have been cleared for the most part, there are still plenty of residential roads and sidewalks full of snow, meaning students and faculty are unable to leave their homes. There are some steps we can take to navigate through these tough times.

1. Monitor the transportation system

The DC metro and bus system are slowly getting back to speed as more lines were put back on the schedule late Monday night. Buses are still on detour routes as they come back into service. The WMATA is providing live updates and routes for each bus line and their status. Click here to see the status of the bus and metro lines you may use to get to and from campus.

Additionally, many bus stops throughout the DMV area are still blocked due to snow plows pushing snow to the sides of a road. As a result, up to two feet of snow blocks bus stands, making it difficult to board and get off of a bus. Please take the time you need to safely utilize public transportation.

2. Access to Hoya Hub

In a time where public transportation and daily walking paths are disrupted for Grad Hoyas, grocery stores may not be accessible. When food is such a vital need, that is where the Hoya Hub comes into place. Accessible for all members of the Georgetown community, non-perishable goods and other self-care items are available. There is one location on each Georgetown campus.

3. Office of Neighborhood Life Resources

With sidewalks and roads still blocked with snow in many residential areas, the Office of Neighborhood Life is providing students with support. The university has several winter house locations in the West Georgetown, Burleith, and Foxhall neighborhoods where students can borrow shovels and salt. In the event that supplies are depleted, the office will be available via email and phone to help you with whatever you may need.

These frigid temperatures are not going away anytime soon and more snow may be on the horizon. As such, make sure to keep devices charged, store candles and matches in case of power loss, and dress warm at all times. Stay safe Hoyas!