Email Archives
Subject: Snow Emergency Information
Date Sent: January 22, 2016
The following is some useful information from the County concerning the impending snow event:
Residents concerned about the safety and well-being of children, elderly residents, homeless individuals, or adults with disabilities during the storm should call the County's Crisis Center at 240-777-4000.
Road Conditions and Snow Plowing Efforts
County Highway Services have already begun its salt-brine pre-treatment of primary and secondary routes. The County will begin plowing primary and secondary roadways after 3 or more inches have fallen - anything less than 3 inches can damage both the road and the plows. These primary and secondary roads are the most important routes MCDOT is tasked with clearing, as they are the major thoroughfares and emergency routes in our County. State roads - any roadway that is numbered - are maintained by the State Highway Administrationtion. The Statewide Operations Center can be reached toll free at 1-800-543-2515 or 410-582-5650. All told, MCDOT has over 5,000 miles of roads to plow. When arterial roads are clear, they will begin to clear the rest of our county roads.
The County has over 200 internal vehicles to handle snow response, and is bringing in an estimated 225-275 additional pieces of equipment and contracted labor to assist with snow removal. You can check the progress of the snow plowing efforts by logging on to the County Snow Removal Tracker, and by following the County's Highway Services social media presences as they issue frequent updates on their Twitter and Facebook pages.
With the volume of snow and the strength of storm expected, snow removal may take days to complete. Roadways will be icy and treacherous, power outages may down signals, and visibility may be minimal. Between the strength of the storm and the amount of snow we may see, it is strongly advised that you keep off the roads.
Power Outages & Downed Power Lines
To report an outage, call Pepco at 1-877-737-2662. Pepco asks that even if you think a neighbor has already reported your street as experiencing an outage, that you still call to report your home as out also.
If you have access to the Internet, you can report outages at Pepco's outage website or on their outage mobile application on the iPhone or Android.
To report downed trees on public property, residents should call 311.
"Hot" wires or sparking wires, especially those across roadways, should be reported by calling 911.
After the Storm
Within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm, all residential and commercial property owners are required by County law to clear their sidewalks. Residents are encouraged to help elderly or ill neighbors with this task. When shoveling, "Adopt a Fire Hydrant" by making sure that the nearest hydrant is shoveled out so it is visible from the street.
Exercise caution when shoveling snow. Try to shovel snow into the yard rather than into the street. Cold weather puts an extra strain on the body. Individuals with heart disease or high blood pressure should follow their doctor's advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. Avoid overexertion. Heart attacks from shoveling heavy snow are a leading cause of deaths during winter.
Serious health problems such as hypothermia and frostbite can be caused by prolonged exposure to the cold. Watch for loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes and the tip of the nose. Signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. In both cases, residents should get medical attention immediately if symptoms are present.
When preparing to drive, be sure to thoroughly clear the snow from the entire car - including roofs, windshields trunks and hoods - to ensure visibility and prevent snow from blowing onto surrounding cars. When driving, do not speed and be sure to leave plenty of space between your car and the one in front of you. Avoid pulling out in front of other vehicles and do not slow down before going up a hill.
Montgomery County officials urge residents to use extreme caution when driving and walking following a snowstorm. Drivers should watch for pedestrians in the roadway, particularly at night when visibility is low. Under the law, a driver approaching a traffic signal that is not working must completely stop before entering the crosswalk or intersection. When two or more vehicles approach an intersection without a working traffic signal, the driver on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on his or her immediate right.
Other Information:
With significant snow accumulation is the potential of tree limbs to come down on power lines. Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlight, extra prescription medication, and charge cell phones or other critical battery-operated equipment in your home.
Please stay off the roads during dangerous driving conditions. If you must drive, make sure you have a full tank of gas. Include an emergency kit in your car with extra blankets, some food and water, a cell phone, and a first-aid kit.
Montgomery County will send out periodic updates on the status of county government, school, and transportation via Alert Montgomery. To find information between updates, visit the following:
- Monitor street plow status
- Montgomery County Government Status Updates (including RideOn Bus status, trash and recycling collection, and library and recreation center closures):
- MCPS School Closure Information: Important Contact Information
- For non-emergencies, contact Montgomery County Government at 311 or (240)-777-0311
- For emergencies, call 911
- To report power or other utility outages:
- PEPCO: 1-877-737-2662
- Baltimore Gas and Electric: 1-877-778-2222 or 1-800-685-0123
- Potomac Edison (Allegheny Power): 1-800-255-3443
- Washington Gas: 1-800-752-7520 WSSC: 1-800-828-4002
Stay warm and safe.
Best Wishes,
Ted Garrett,
BCA President