Current Notices include:
Office of Emergency Management - Governor O'Malley declared a State of Emergency for all Maryland counties and Baltimore City as of 4 p.m. yesterday. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning starting 7 p.m. tonight. The storm will enter our area tonight between 5 and 9 p.m. The most likely tracking scenario calls for 4 - 8" of total accumulations. There is still possibilities of a tracking change which would increase total accumulations to 12-18". The heaviest period of snowfall will be between midnight tonight and daybreak tomorrow. Heavy wet snow is expected to cause power outages due to downed trees, limbs and utility lines. Roads will be snow covered and slippery after midnight into tomorrow before the snow ends in the afternoon. Minor flooding will occur due to high tides and northeasterly winds.
The Emergency Operations Center will activate at 10:00 p.m. Wednesdaynight to coordinate the County's response to the storm. Department of Public Works Highways crews and the Department Operations Center (DOC) are responding to the storm as appropriate. Approximately 63 County trucks and up to 100 contractor vehicles are available for snow removal operations.
Department of Public Works (DPW) - As a reminder, the Department of Public Works (DPW) published Level of Service for the forecasted storm is as follows:
- Bare pavement vehicular access on County-maintained arterial and collector roadways within 24-36 hours AFTER the end of the storm;
- Passable, but not bare pavement, vehicular access on County-maintained local roadways (ie, residential streets, culs-de-sac, dead-ends, etc) within 2-3 days AFTER the end of the storm.
- Citizens are urged to take the necessary steps to ensure their safety during and following the storm and to assist DPW crews as they continue clearing roads.
- Maintain an adequate supply of household necessities, including medications, heating fuel, food and water.
- Reschedule appointments prior to or after the expected storm event.
- Park all vehicles in a driveway whenever possible. If off-street parking is not available, please work with your neighbors to park all vehicles on one side of the road only. If the plows cannot safely access your street due to on-street parking, service will be delayed until adequate access is available or until smaller equipment becomes available.
- Children and drivers should stay clear of plows and other heavy equipment so that plow operators to perform their work efficiently and safely.
- Please clear sidewalks in front of your residence of snow and ice.
- Remove all recycling containers, trash cans and other obstacles from the street to allow plows access.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools - After school programs will be monitored tonight and schedules adjusted on a case by case scenario. The decision for school closures tomorrow will be made this evening around 8 p.m.
Animal Control - Animal Control has cancelled their Weekly Rabies Clinic that was scheduled for Thursday - February 13th 2014 - due to the significant snow storm that is predicted for tonight and tomorrow. We apologize for any inconvenience and anticipate resuming the Weekly Clinic next Thursday.
Budget Town Hall - Due to the predicted snow storm, Anne Arundel County is cancelling the upcoming Town Hall Meeting to discuss the County Budget at Lake Shore Elementary School in Pasadena on Thursday February 13. This meeting will be rescheduled and a notification will be sent out as soon as a new date is determined.
County Executive’s Office - Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman urges citizens to prepare as winter weather is predicted for our area.
“The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the region with significant snow accumulation possible. My first concern is always the safety of the citizens of Anne Arundel County. I cannot reiterate enough how important it is to stay indoors and only venture out on the roadways when absolutely necessary,” advised County Executive Neuman. “The safest thing we all can do is to stay off the roads and allow the Department of Public Works crews to do their work.”
Please utilize the following winter weather safety tips in preparation and during the impending storm:
· Use extreme caution while driving.
· Keep a safe following distance between you and the car in front of you during slick conditions, maintain low speeds and turn on your lights to increase visibility.
· Brake gently to avoid skidding.
· If you must travel, clear all snow from your vehicle, and make sure your vehicle is properly winterized and equipped with all-season or snow tires.
· Carry a survival kit: flashlight, non-perishable food such as protein and/or energy bars, water, sand or other traction material and a shovel in your vehicle.
· Dress appropriately for the cold weather by wearing coats, hats (as much as 50% of body heat is lost through the head), scarves or knit masks to cover the face and mouth, and gloves or mittens.
· Dress in layers of loose-fitting clothes to wick moisture from the body, including extra socks. Wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers hold in more body heat than cotton.
· If shoveling snow, take frequent breaks to avoid over exertion.
· Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine; they dehydrate the body and can cause the heat to be lost more rapidly, increasing the risk of hypothermia.
· Never leave space heaters unattended.
· Always use generators outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for safe usage.
· NEVER use generators inside a home, garage, crawl space or other enclosed or partially enclosed space.
· Finally, remember to check on elderly or disabled family members, friends and neighbors. Please bring pets inside. If it is too cold for you, it is too cold for them.
