The winter storm has been brutal, dumping as much as 2 feet of snow in some local areas.

On Monday, Tamaqua Mayor Nathan Gerace announced Tamaqua’s declaration of disaster emergency, put into effect Monday at 1 p.m.

“Everyone stay safe during this snowstorm,” Gerace said on a Facebook post. “Please only travel if absolutely necessary and be kind to your elderly neighbors and help shovel in case of emergency.”

Rob Jones, public works director of the Tamaqua Borough, said his crews have been at work around the clock since Monday, and his teams will be either working 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. shifts for the foreseeable future for round-the-clock weather coverage of the borough.

“We’ll continue that probably and start snow removal as early as tomorrow (Wednesday) night, depending on all of the other stuff done. It depends on what happens Friday, too.

Jones said he hopes for the snow removal to begin on Broad Street, and meanwhile, residents have to get their cars moved before snow removal.

“I hate to say it, but that’s the policy,” Jones said. “We usually try to post ‘no parking’ on the streets 24 hours in advance. Most people are used to it. We can’t clean the streets if the cars are there. What residents can do, for now, is try to shovel out fire hydrants by their house - which most people do.”

Jones said the crews have been at work to dig out borough hall as early as 6 a.m.

“Our schedule is based on many years of experience and conversations with the school district and the fire department. It’s going to be a long process, we haven’t had one of these (storms) in a while.”

Garbage and recycling schedule

• Monday’s garbage will be picked up Wednesday.

• Tuesday’s garbage will be picked up Thursday.

• Thursday’s garbage will be picked up Friday.

• Friday’s garbage will be picked up Saturday.

• There will be no recycling pickup this week.

The Schuylkill County Courthouse and all related office were closed Monday and Tuesday. They are scheduled to reopen 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

John Matz, Schuylkill County Emergency Management Coordinator, said increasing winds are expected with the storm, roads are “passable” but motorists should avoid traveling.

Amy Marchiano contributed to this report.