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Maryland Department of Emergency Management

State Agencies Activated as Winter Storm Hits Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

State Agencies Activated as
Winter Storm Hits Maryland

 

Winter Storm Warning Sign

Marylanders encouraged to avoid travel if possible 

REISTERSTOWN, Md. (February 20, 2019) — Maryland state agencies have been busy preparing for the snowstorm that has begun impacting Maryland communities this morning.

“Our state agencies are working hard to ensure Maryland is prepared for this dangerous storm, and we are doing everything possible to keep Marylanders safe,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “However, this storm is creating dangerous conditions in many areas of the state and the snow is continuing to fall, so I urge Marylanders to take extreme caution, avoid travel if possible, and heed all local warnings.”

Here are some of the activities state agencies have been conducting in response to the storm:

Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

  • Coordinating conference calls with the National Weather Service, local emergency management partners, state agencies, and non-governmental stakeholders.
  • Conducting enhanced operations and coordination in the State Emergency Operations Center.

Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)  State Highway Administration (SHA)

  • SHA has deployed more than 2,200 pieces of equipment (plows, salt trucks, etc.) to mitigate the impacts of snow this morning.
  • MDOT SHA is encouraging Marylanders to delay unnecessary travel as snow continues to fall throughout the day.
  • Asking motorists to remember to clear ENTIRE vehicle off before traveling as large sheets of snow/ice can fly off vehicles and be a hazard.
  • Coordinating activities and snow operations through the Statewide Operations Center at SHA headquarters in Hanover, MD.

Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA)

  • MDTA has deployed 119 pieces of equipment clearing roadways on its eight toll facilities.
  • MDTA is encouraging residents to stay home and off the roadways to allow crews time and space to treat roads.
  • MDTA has closed several E-ZPass Maryland Customer Service Centers.

Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport

  • The BWI Marshall Airport winter weather team has been in place since the early morning hours.  Personnel pre-treated runways and taxiways, and the airport’s winter weather employees will treat and plow the airfield, and parking lots, and public roadways as appropriate.
  • Airline flights are operating. However, airline flight delays and cancellations are expected throughout Wednesday.
  • BWI encourages passengers with travel plans to contact their airlines for updated flight status information.  The BWI Marshall Airport website also provides airline flight information.

MDOT Maryland Transit Administration

  • For a full list of service status, go to MTA website.
  • Light RailLink: There is no impact to service at this time. Customers are reminded to use extra caution in and around stations and platforms.
  • Metro SubwayLink: There is no impact to service at this time. Customers reminded to use extra caution in and around stations and platforms.
  • MARC: Penn and Camden lines will operate on an “R” schedule. Brunswick Line Service is suspended.
  • Mobility: Mobility service is running.

MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration

  • MDOT MVA Salisbury (Wicomico County) and Easton (Talbot County) branch offices are open for service today.  The remaining offices and VEIP stations are closed. Customers will be contacted to reschedule appointments. MDOT MVA also encourages customers to complete transactions online at MVA’s website.

Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore

  • All public marine terminals were pre-treated in advance.
  • Truck gates are open at both the Dundalk and Seagirt marine terminals.  Ships are being worked.
  • Maintenance crews will operate on 12-hour shifts for snow removal.

Maryland State Police

  • MSP is conducting regular and supplemental patrols to address rush hour traffic. MSP units will provide assistance throughout the duration of the event.
  • Between midnight and 10:30 a.m. MSP reports 80 total accidents (61 non-reportable and 19 reportable) and 394 calls for service.
  • Accident numbers were trending lower than normal until approximately 08:30 a.m., then they spiked higher.
  • Current Snow Emergency Plans are in effect in 15 Counties:
    • Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garret, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Saint Mary’s, Queen Annes, and Washington.
  • The closures have caused less traffic which has greatly assisted. If a motorist does become stranded, they should not attempt to walk.
  • MSP discourages citizens from calling to ask about road and weather conditions.

Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC)

  • The Maryland PSC has reached out to Maryland utility providers to assess their readiness activities and to confirm the utilities have emergency power restoration plans in place.
  • Baltimore Gas & Electric has deployed extra crews Wednesday morning and are staging at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to address any power restoration issues that may arise from the winter weather.

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CONTACT:

Ed McDonough, ed.mcdonough@maryland.gov, 410-446-3333
24/7 line: 877-636-2872