ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today urged Marylanders to avoid all non-essential travel so highway crews can continue to clean up during today’s winter storm. Joined by key members of his cabinet at a press conference this afternoon to discuss clean up and ongoing response, the governor also encouraged Marylanders to be prepared for bitter cold temperatures and low wind chills in the coming days.
"Maryland is moving through this storm with coordination, communication, and collaboration. We are grateful for the state and local first responders that stepped up to keep our roads clear and our people safe,"
said Gov Moore. "Let me be clear—we are still in an active State of Emergency. We ask that all Marylanders please stay off the roads. If you have an emergency that requires you to go out into the snow, please exercise caution. Take care of yourselves, take care of each other, and take care of your people."
The Maryland Department of Emergency Management began coordinating preparation for the storm on Thursday, while the Maryland Department of Transportation has been pre-treating roads and making other preparations since last week.
“We continue to urge drivers to stay off the roads and let our crews do the work. The entire Maryland Department of Transportation is working as safely and quickly as possible to clear the snow,”
said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “If you must travel, slow down, be cautious and give snowplows plenty of room to do their work. Check the Maryland Transit Administration’s website for the latest service alerts and verify your flight with your airline before heading to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. Safety remains our top priority, please make it yours as well.”
“Once the snow stops falling, it’s going to be cold for several days and wind chills may get down to the single digits in some parts of Maryland,”
said Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russ Strickland. “Make sure to dress in layers, to keep winter items in your home and car emergency kits, and to check on family, friends and neighbors to make sure they are warm and safe.”
Key coordinated response actions from State agencies during this storm include:
Maryland Department of Emergency Management- The State Emergency Operations Center transitioned from “ENHANCED” activation on Friday to “FULL” activation Monday at 6 a.m. to coordinate State agency response to the storm and to support certification of the general election.
- Coordinating with state, local, and federal stakeholders to plan response activities in the days ahead as wind chill temperatures are expected to fall to single digits in some parts of the state.
- Opened the Maryland Business Emergency Operations Center, a centralized hub to support emergency management efforts between state agencies, the private sector businesses and other stakeholders during disasters or emergencies. The center facilitates communication, resource sharing, and collaboration to ensure that the private sector can make the best decisions for their employees and business operations and effectively contribute to the response and recovery processes.
Maryland Department of Transportation- The State Highway Administration and Maryland Transportation Authority continue to plow primary and secondary routes.
- Heavy duty wreckers for towing larger vehicles are staged around Baltimore, the National Capital Region, and Western Maryland.
- Both primary runways at Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport are open, with continuing snow removal and de-icing operations; there have been more than 200 flights cancelled thus far.
- The Maryland Port Administration continues to treat and plow port entrances and roadways.
- Maryland Transit Administration suspended 28 bus routes as a safety precaution; commuter bus and rail service remains suspended; Baltimore light rail and subway remains in service.
- All offices and branches of the Motor Vehicle Administration are closed and appointments are being rescheduled, including emissions testing.
Maryland National Guard- Approximately 50 Maryland Army National Guard soldiers assigned to the 58th Troop Command are staged at armories to support civil agencies responding to the storm, including with humvees and high-clearance vehicles for evacuation and transportation.
Maryland Department of Disabilities- The DIAL disability hotline (Disability, Inclusion, Access and Language) opened this morning, with enhanced monitoring of the hotline until 7 p.m. today. The hotline number is 410-767-3948. The disability hotline provides referrals, support and case management for people with disabilities who have complex situations. The hotline is not intended for emergencies that require 9-1-1 services.
Maryland Public Service Commission- Reported fewer than 100 outages statewide as of 1 p.m.
- Utilities report good status and expect minimal disruptions.
Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems and Maryland Department of Health- Eleven EMS departments are on Blue Alert: regardless of injury or illness, patients will be transported to the closest hospital instead of a specialized location, minimizing the travel time of each EMS vehicle to encourage greater safety on roads.
Department of Human Services- Staff are on standby to assist with shelters if needed.
Fire and Emergency Services- Received one request for assistance from Baltimore City for high clearance vehicles fulfilled through the Maryland National Guard.
Key safety tips for Marylanders- Keep your devices charged in case of power outages so you can stay informed.
- Include blankets, hats, mittens, and other warm clothing in your preparedness kit during winter months.
- Bring pets inside if possible, or create a safe space for outdoor animal companions to keep warm, safe from the elements, and able to find food.
- Winterize your vehicle and keep your gas tank at least half full to keep ice from building up in your gas tank and fuel lines.
- Take precautions to prevent pipes from freezing.
- Keep a supply of driveway salt or non-clumping kitty litter ready to go. You can spread either on outdoor surfaces to combat ice and make them less slippery.
- If you are not in good physical condition, be careful when shoveling snow.
- Check for updates from the National Weather Service, and sign up for MdReady text alerts to receive news about storms, watches, and warnings.
- You can find this information on the MDEM website: mdem.maryland.gov
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