Snow Emergency Extended Thru Friday (Video)

UPDATED Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett has declared that the “Snow Emergency” for Montgomery County will be extended through Friday, Feb. 14.

County officials continue to urge residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

A “Snow Emergency” declaration means that parking is prohibited along routes signed and marked as a “Snow Emergency Route.” Vehicles parked on emergency routes will be ticketed and towed. During a “Snow Emergency,” vehicles on the road must have all-weather or snow tires or chains. Residents are asked to move vehicles off-street if at all possible so snow plows can remove snow more efficiently.

The city of Gaithersburg has lifted its snow emergency declaration.  See additional post for more info: https://archive.mymcmedia.org/snow-emergency-lifted-in-gaithersburg/.

The city of Rockville remains closed and officials also extended the city’s snow emergency declaration. See additional post: https://archive.mymcmedia.org/rockville-government-closed-feb-14/

Free Parking Extended through Friday for County-Owned Lots and Garages

Free parking in County-owned parking lots and garages only continues through midnight Friday to encourage residents to park vehicles off-road in Bethesda, Silver Spring, Wheaton and Montgomery Hills. Where parking is still permitted, payment will be required at on-street meters.

Follow Snow Plow Progress

An online map of Montgomery County indicates the progress of snow plows in clearing roads. Plows first clear emergency routes, Ride On bus routes, and main roads. Only once these roads are passable do plows begin clearing operations in neighborhoods.

Crews work continuously around the clock until all 5,000 lane miles of County-maintained streets are passable. Numbered roads are State roads and are cleared by the Maryland State Highway Administration. Following a 15-inch snowfall, it can take crews about 35 to 40 hours to complete plowing.

Taxicab Surcharge

Taxicabs operating in Montgomery County during declared snow emergencies are allowed to charge $2.50 extra per trip.

Sign Up for Alert Montgomery

The best way for residents to receive timely severe weather and emergency notifications directly to cell phones and/or email addresses is from Alert Montgomery.

Emergency Numbers

• For a true emergency, residents should call 911.

• For a Police non-emergency, call 301.279.8000.

In case of power outages, contact your power provider:

*BG&E 877.778.2222

*First Energy/Potomac Edison 1.888.544.4877

*PEPCO 1.877.737.2662

• WSSC 301.206.4002 or EmergencyCallCenter@wsscwater.com

Updates on County Website, Facebook, Twitter or from 311

The latest information about closings, delays and other snow-related updates are also available on the County’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/snow or by calling the MC311 Call Center at 311 or 240.777.0311.

Or, follow Facebook or Twitter and use #mocostorm.

ORIGINAL POST

It will continue snowing across the county throughout the day.

Residents should expect a brief mix of freezing rain and sleet south of the ICC before precipitation changes back to snow after the lunch hour.

Accumulating snow will end from west to east between 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Snowfall totals will range from 12” – 16” countywide.

County officials remind residents that a Snow Emergency Declaration is in effect for Montgomery County, which prohibits parking along routes signed and marked as “Snow Emergency Route.” Vehicles parked on emergency routes will be ticketed and towed. Residents are urged to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

Montgomery County government is closed on Thursday, Feb. 13. Government facilities will not be open to the public. Ride On bus service is suspended due to road conditions.

The County’s 3-1-1 call center is open and can be reached by calling 311 or 240.777.0311.

In case of power outages, contact your power provider:

• BG&E 1.877.778.2222
• First Energy/Potomac Edison 1.888.544.4877
• PEPCO 1.877.737.2662

Call 911 only for emergencies. For police non-emergencies, call 301.279.8000.
In this video, County Executive Isiah Leggett met with drivers before the snow event: