Rockville Declares Snow Emergency Due to Impending Snowstorm

Rockville has put in place parking restrictions and altered refuse and recycling collections in advance of a winter storm headed this way.

The city declared a snow emergency that requires all vehicles to be removed from Rockville roads, including neighborhood streets, by 9 p.m. tonight.

This is in preparation for a storm that is expected to bring significant snowfall to the Washington Metropolitan region tonight and tomorrow. Residents are urged to stay off the roads once the storm begins.

In order for city crews to safely and efficiently clear snow from streets, all vehicles should be parked in garages and driveways whenever possible. If not possible, cars should be parked on the even-numbered side of the street. In courts or cul-de-sacs, parking is allowed only on the left side of the streets as one enters the cul-de-sac or court. Do not park in the bulb of the court or cul-de-sac.

To help get as many cars off the street as possible, three public parking lots will be open for residents to park their cars at the following locations:
• Rockville Civic Center, 603 Edmonston Drive
• Rockville Swim and Fitness Center, 355 Martins Lane
• Elwood Smith Community Center, 601 Harrington Road

On-street parking in Rockville Town Center will be restricted starting at 11 p.m. tonight until further notice (adhere to posted signs).

Cars parked illegally may be towed.

Thursday’s Recycling/Refuse Collection Shifts
Rockville’s recycling and refuse collection service will be canceled on  March 5, and will be collected on March 6. Residents are asked to keep streets clear of refuse carts so that crews can safely and quickly clear snow from city streets.

Emergency Preparedness
The Department of Public Works is urging patience and preparation on the part of residents. Heavy snowfall may require crews to make multiple passes to ensure roads are passable. Rockville requires that snow be removed from sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved area for public use within 48 hours after a snowfall of three to 10 inches, and within 72 hours after a snowfall of more than 10 inches.

Residents are asked to remove snow from around fire hydrants so that fire crews will have easier access to the hydrants in an emergency. Ice and snow should also be cleared from around storm drains, and the city asks residents to avoid shoveling snow into the street when possible. Residents also are encouraged to check on older neighbors who may not be able to clear snow and may need some help.

For answers to frequently asked questions about snow removal visit www.rockvillemd.gov/winterweather and click on “FAQs.”

To report a power outage, call Pepco at 1.877.737.2662 or visit www.pepco.com. To report a tree blocking a roadway or driveway, call 240.314.8700. For a tree touching a power line, call Pepco at 1.877.737.2662. Be sure to stay clear of downed lines and trees touching power lines.

Drivers are reminded that Maryland law requires vehicles approaching intersections with non-functioning traffic signals to come to a full stop before the intersection or crosswalk stop. If two vehicles approach an intersection with a non-functioning traffic signal at the same time, drivers must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on their immediate right.

For emergency transport assistance, call the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service at 240.773.0027. To report non-emergency concerns to the Rockville City Police Department, call 240.314.8900.

Facility Closure Information
Rockville will post city facility closure information on the city’s website, www.rockvillemd.gov as well as the inclement weather page at www.rockvillemd.gov/weather.

Updates on Rockville’s storm response, City programs and facilities and other information will also be available on Rockville 11 and on the City’s Facebook page. To receive updates on mobile devices or via email, sign up for Alert Rockville at www.rockvillemd.gov/connections.

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Krista Brick

About Krista Brick

Krista Brick is a multi-media journalist with Montgomery Community Media.

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