Harford County Urges Citizens to Prepare for Blizzard; State of Emergency Declared

From Harford County government:

Harford County has now been placed under a Blizzard Warning effective for 6 PM on Friday and continuing until Sunday morning. We can expect periods of white-out conditions Friday night through Saturday and I would encourage our citizens to stay off the roads. If that is not possible, everyone should have a survival kit in their vehicle. This is the time to be pro-active and plan ahead, make sure you have canned foods and water for several days, prescriptions refilled if necessary, have a battery operated radio and charge your cell phones.

From Harford County Councilman “Capt’n” Jim McMahan and Bel Air Commissioner Susan Burdette:

This storm will make the top ten!
Blizzard warning is in effect from Friday afternoon thru Sunday morning.
Heavy snow and strong winds
Most serious conditions for life threatening conditions will be a possible “white out” period from 3 am Saturday to 3 pm Saturday
Winds — Friday night thru Saturday night
Northeast 20 to 30 mph gusts to 40+

Snow amounts 18” Aberdeen – 24” Norrisville
The potential for drifting snow, blocking roads, is high. Saturday 50 mph gusts will not be uncommon. Power outages are expected. Do not operate generators inside!!!
Prepare for power outages with flash lights and generators not candles.
Do not cook on outside grills, inside your home
Governor Hogan has issued a declaration of emergency for this snow event. With a wide spread area of lost power, local fire stations most likely will be opened as warming centers.
Today— prepare
Top off gas tanks. After storm begins stay off the roads so crews can clear and emergency vehicles have access. Use 911 for emergencies only. The non-emergency “hot line” will be activated tomorrow. I will give you the number tomorrow. Snow in the greater Harford County area is expected after 6 pm tomorrow. It will be a 36-hour event.
Do not take chances.

From Harford County government:

Harford County Urges Citizens to Prepare for Winter Snow Storm

A winter storm system is heading toward Harford County and is expected to bring heavy snow, high winds, and cold temperatures to the area. The storm is expected to begin Friday evening with the heaviest precipitation occurring Friday evening through Saturday. The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for all of Harford County, along with other areas of the state. In addition to potential blizzard conditions which correlate to gusty winds and low visibility, white-out conditions could occur.

Harford County Executive Barry Glassman and the Department of Emergency Services urge citizens to make preparations and stay off the roads during the height of the storm.

“I encourage our citizens to take steps now to be ready for this winter storm,” said County Executive Glassman. “Also, please check on your family and neighbors to make sure they are prepared. Follow safety guidelines and use available resources such as the county’s You CLICK We FIX app, and online Snow Plow Tracker to keep you informed throughout the winter storm season. Governor Larry Hogan has signed a declaration of emergency that takes effect on Friday morning, and I plan to sign one for the county shortly thereafter. This will allow us to access National Guard resources, which we have begun to do.”

The county’s Snow Plow Tracker will generally be activated by six inches or more of snow; however, activation will not begin until precipitation is near an end, to avoid confusion about which roads have been cleared. When activated, the Snow Plow Tracer icon will appear on the homepage of the county website www.harfordcountymd.gov

The You CLICK We FIX application now has a category designated for questions about snow removal. The app can be accessed from the county website at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/1737/You-Click-We-Fix or downloaded for free onto your smartphone or mobile device. To use the app, select “Snow Removal” from the “Category” drop-down menu. From there, find the drop-down menu to select one of the “Issues” to report, such as “My driveway is plowed in”, “My street is partially plowed”, or “My street is icy and slippery”.

From the Maryland State Highway Administration:

MARYLAND STATE POLICE AND STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION TO DECLARE SNOW EMERGENCIES FOR ALL COUNTIES BEGINNING FRIDAY AT NOON

Snow Emergency Plan Restricts Parking on Snow Emergency Routes and Permits Maryland State Police to Tow Vehicles

The Maryland State Police and Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) are proactively announcing that snow emergency plans will go into effect at noon Friday in advance of the predicted severe storm expected Friday and Saturday. The Statewide Snow Emergency requires vehicles restricts traveling on all highways designated as snow emergency routes be equipped with chains, snow tires or all season radials. Additionally, special hauling permits for commercial vehicles are not valid during snow emergencies.

The snow emergency plan also allows the Maryland State Police (MSP) to call tow companies to remove abandoned vehicles in the road or on the shoulder and restricts all parking on designated snow emergency routes.

“It is important for all Marylanders to heed Governor Hogan’s warning about the coming storm and to make every effort to refrain from travel through the weekend,” Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel William Pallozzi said. “Implementing the snow emergency plans in every county is an indication of the serious nature of this storm and the statewide impact it will have. Our goal is to keep citizens safe and this is one of the many steps we will be taking to do that.”

Significant snowfall, high winds and treacherous driving conditions are expected from late Friday, all day Saturday and into Sunday. If forecasts materialize as expected and more than two feet of snow falls, cleanup will take several days and extend into early next week.

“Please avoid traveling during the storm to allow our crews the space needed to plow the roads,” said SHA Administrator Gregory Johnson. “Our goal is to keep one travel lane open and passable on major highways for emergency vehicles during the storm and focus on plowing all lanes once the snow stops.”

Commercial vehicle drivers have the option to wait out the storm at one of Maryland’s 17 designated safe haven ridesharing lots in order to avoid travel during hazardous conditions.