Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim is urging residents of Connecticut's biggest city to stay off snow emergency routes through Sunday afternoon.

"There's often this false impression that when the snow ends and the streets are safe and passable, that the emergency is over -- and that's simply not the case," Ganim told News 12 Saturday.

"We have to get the word out that snow cleanup efforts will continue overnight as the temperatures go down, below freezing, turning slick roads into sheets of ice. That's why we need folks to stay off snow emergency routes -- so our trucks can continue to treat them," Ganim said.

Ganim says his day began at 4 a.m. when he was on the phone with workers at the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center, helping to coordinate the cleanup.

"We have more than 70 trucks out on the roads, and many of those trucks will remain in service until this is over, probably well into Sunday night," Ganim said.

Many residents spent Saturday digging out.

"It took a lot of effort that's for sure," said Rionel Hart, who lives on the East Side. "We've been digging out and digging out and now it's time to go inside and get warm."

MORE INFORMATION: Snow Emergency Streets & Process

Mayor Joe Ganim declared a snow emergency for the city which is in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday.