City of Annapolis Prepares for Impending Snowstorm

December 28, 2010

Annapolis, MD (12-25-10) – With the possibility that Annapolis could be hit with 6 inches or more inches of snow over the next two days, Mayor Joshua J. Cohen wants to ensure that residents are prepared.

The National Weather Service has announced that a winter storm warning for portions of Maryland, including Annapolis, is in effect from 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday. Snow accumulations could range from 6 to 10 inches. If the forecast holds, the Department of Public Works is expected to begin snow removal and salting operations at about 8 a.m. Sunday. All snow removal equipment has already been staged.

The Public Works Operations Center will handle public inquiries beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday, at 410-263-7967. City officials are closely monitoring the situation, and depending upon conditions may open the Emergency Operations Center.

“I have been in contact with our frontline departments, starting with Public Works, to carry out our emergency plans based on the amount of snow we receive,” Mayor Cohen said. “We are taking all practical measures to ensure that the City's response will be effective.”

Mayor Cohen advises residents to review and re-familiarize themselves with regarding the city’s storm policy.

Storm levels:
 
1.    Phase I Snow Emergency: If the local forecast is for 1 inch to 4 inches of snow, the Department of Public Works expect to make the snow emergency routes, snow connector routes and street ends passable within 24 to 36 hours after the end of the storm. Roadways are typically salted to improve melting.
2.    Phase II Snow Emergency: If the forecast is for 5 inches to 8 inches, DPW expects to make emergency snow routes passable within 24 hours after the storm ends; snow connector routes will be made passable within 36 hours after the emergency snow routes have been made passable; all other routes, including side streets, dead-end streets and cul-de-sacs, will be made passable within 48 hours after the emergency snow routes and the snow connector routes are made passable.
3.    Phase III Snow Emergency: If the forecast is for 9 to 14 inches, emergency snow routes will be made passable in three to four days after the storm ends; all other routes, including snow connector routes, will be made passable within four to five days after the emergency snow routes have been made passable.

During a Phase I or II Snow Emergency, vehicles operating on snow emergency routes must be equipped with chains or snow tires. During a Phase III Snow Emergency, vehicles are prohibited from operating on snow emergency routes (except for snow equipment, emergency vehicles and other vehicles authorized by the Mayor.)

To review the City’s snow response plan, find the snow route maps and determine which roads are snow emergency routes and snow connector routes, go to: http://bit.ly/ghpUgv To determine if your street will be cleared by the City, go to: http://bit.ly/ehechY Every attempt is made to make streets “passable” for essential vehicle travel. Icing conditions are handled by applying deicing salt.

Please remember, City Code, Section 14.24.010, requires the abutting property owner to clear the public sidewalk of snow and ice within three hours after the snow or sleet has stopped falling except when the snow or sleet stopped falling between 3 p.m. and 6 a.m., then the snow/ice must be removed from the walk before 11 a.m. Violation of this code requirement is subject to a $25 fine. Please lend a helping hand to any neighbors who may be physically or otherwise unable to clear sidewalks. (Never use fertilizer to melt ice and snow; the nitrogen and phosphorus in fertilizer can harm your local streams, groundwater and the Chesapeake Bay.)

For information about how to prepare for winter weather conditions, go to: http://bit.ly/fWZbA5

If you have a power outage, you can contact BGE at 1-877-778-2222.

Anyone in need of shelter during the storm should contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services at 410-421-8400 or 410-863-4888.

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