Closings and Cancellations for Wednesday, February 18
- Thread starter DeeJay
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Snow Squalls and Traffic Equal Worst Combination for Drivers and Salt Trucks
(February 18, 2015) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is preparing for one of the worst timed snow storms of the season – only one or two inches of snow are expected, but predicted to hit at the worst possible time – rush hour. Current forecasts show precipitation falling between 4 and 9 p.m., which could result in major delays if motorists do not adjust their schedules. The timing of the storm presents problems because SHA trucks will be in the same traffic as everyone else and unable to treat roads, making rush hour not only messy but increasing chances for collisions.
“We’ve seen it before and it is the same every time – one inch becomes a nightmare for commuters and our salt trucks if the snow falls during rush hour as predicted,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “We need motorists to be part of the solution. Leaving work at your normal departure time could significantly add to your commute. We implore drivers to alter their travel plans to be safe and avoid extensive delays in frigid temperatures and bad weather.”
“While it might be sunny and clear at 2 or 3 p.m., this storm will move fast and before you realize it, you may not have time to make your commute home. Please monitor the weather throughout the day and if you cannot leave early, consider staying late or using transit to avoid driving,” added Administrator Peters.
While the best advice is to avoid travel later this afternoon and early evening, if you must do so keep in mind that visibility may be dramatically reduced, so be sure to use your headlights. Not only will it help you see, but will help you be seen by others. Maryland law requires headlight use when wipers are in use.
Traffic cameras and the latest free traffic and weather information is available by calling 5-1-1 from a landline or a hands-free mobile device or logging onto www.MD511.org. Maryland’s 511 service now offers free text and email alerts for most frequented routes through 511Direct – simply register and set your routes and preferences on-line.
(February 18, 2015) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is preparing for one of the worst timed snow storms of the season – only one or two inches of snow are expected, but predicted to hit at the worst possible time – rush hour. Current forecasts show precipitation falling between 4 and 9 p.m., which could result in major delays if motorists do not adjust their schedules. The timing of the storm presents problems because SHA trucks will be in the same traffic as everyone else and unable to treat roads, making rush hour not only messy but increasing chances for collisions.
“We’ve seen it before and it is the same every time – one inch becomes a nightmare for commuters and our salt trucks if the snow falls during rush hour as predicted,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “We need motorists to be part of the solution. Leaving work at your normal departure time could significantly add to your commute. We implore drivers to alter their travel plans to be safe and avoid extensive delays in frigid temperatures and bad weather.”
“While it might be sunny and clear at 2 or 3 p.m., this storm will move fast and before you realize it, you may not have time to make your commute home. Please monitor the weather throughout the day and if you cannot leave early, consider staying late or using transit to avoid driving,” added Administrator Peters.
While the best advice is to avoid travel later this afternoon and early evening, if you must do so keep in mind that visibility may be dramatically reduced, so be sure to use your headlights. Not only will it help you see, but will help you be seen by others. Maryland law requires headlight use when wipers are in use.
Traffic cameras and the latest free traffic and weather information is available by calling 5-1-1 from a landline or a hands-free mobile device or logging onto www.MD511.org. Maryland’s 511 service now offers free text and email alerts for most frequented routes through 511Direct – simply register and set your routes and preferences on-line.
Charles Co. Warming Centers Available to the Public
The National Weather Service in Sterling, Va., has forecast an arctic cold front will push across the Mid-Atlantic region this afternoon and evening. The public buildings listed below are open during regular business hours for use by residents as warming centers during this cold weather:
Capital Clubhouse, 3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf
Open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Daily
Charles County Public Library, all branches
La Plata Branch, 2 Garrett Ave., La Plata
P.D. Brown Memorial Branch, 50 Village St., Waldorf
Potomac Branch, 3225 Ruth B. Swan Drive, Indian Head
Waldorf West, 10405 O'Donnell Place, Waldorf
All branches open:
Wednesday, Feb 18: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Department of Community Services, 8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco
Lobby hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
If you require a warming shelter or know of someone in need of shelter after hours, please contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Department at 301-932-2222.
The National Weather Service in Sterling, Va., has forecast an arctic cold front will push across the Mid-Atlantic region this afternoon and evening. The public buildings listed below are open during regular business hours for use by residents as warming centers during this cold weather:
Capital Clubhouse, 3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf
Open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Daily
Charles County Public Library, all branches
La Plata Branch, 2 Garrett Ave., La Plata
P.D. Brown Memorial Branch, 50 Village St., Waldorf
Potomac Branch, 3225 Ruth B. Swan Drive, Indian Head
Waldorf West, 10405 O'Donnell Place, Waldorf
All branches open:
Wednesday, Feb 18: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Department of Community Services, 8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco
Lobby hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
If you require a warming shelter or know of someone in need of shelter after hours, please contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Department at 301-932-2222.
Charles County Prepares for Arctic Blast after Winter Storm
Dept. of Emergency Services urges residents to check on vulnerable populations
The Charles County Department of Emergency Services wants residents to be prepared for extremely cold weather over the next few days. The National Weather Service in Sterling, Va., has forecast unusually cold temperatures through Saturday morning around the state.
“Now is the time to make preparations for you, your family members, home, car, and pets,” said Department of Emergency Services Director Bill Stephens.
Make sure pipes, especially those on exterior walls, are insulated or keep a faucet on the lowest level of your home turned on a slow stream. Make sure pets have appropriate shelter, free of frozen blankets. And make sure all of the fluids in your vehicles are full, have a car charger available, keep a blanket in your car, and make sure family and friends know your expected time and route of travel in case you are in an accident or become disabled.
Because of cold temperatures, sidewalks and some roadways may have patches of packed snow or ice, making falls a serious hazard. Residents, especially the elderly and those with limited mobility, should avoid walking on slippery surfaces.
“Help us help you,” said Maryland Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Clay Stamp. “If possible carry a cell phone with you at all times, even when just walking out to get the mail or newspaper. In some neighborhoods or rural areas, your fall might not be discovered quickly, and frostbite, hypothermia and death could occur quickly in single-digit temperatures.”
Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature falls below 95ºF. Frostbite is the freezing and subsequent destruction of body tissue that is likely to occur any time skin temperature gets much below 32ºF. The areas most likely to freeze are toes, fingers, ears, cheeks, and the tip of the nose.
While there were relatively few power outages as a result of the recent snow storm, the widespread cold front could affect regional power supplies. Residents should be prepared now in the unlikely event of a temporary power outage or reductions.
The Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf, Charles County Public Library (all branches), Department of Community Services in Port Tobacco, Nanjemoy Community Center, and Richard R. Clark Senior Center in La Plata are open and available as warming centers during normal operating hours. For information on operating hours for each location, visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov. If you require a warming shelter or know of someone in need of shelter after hours, contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-2222.
Here are other tips for dealing with the upcoming cold weather:
· Keep devices charged so you will have a way follow weather forecasts and local emergency information.
· Dress in layers, taking care to keep your hands covered.
· In the case of a power outage, contact SMECO at 877-747-6326 to report the outage.
· Cover your head. You lose as much as 50 percent of your body heat through your head.
· Wear several layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. The air between the layers acts as insulation to keep you warmer.
· Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect lungs from direct cold air. Cover your ears and the lower part of your face, too.
· Wear mittens rather than fingered gloves. The close contact of fingers helps keep your hands warm.
· Wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks, or two pairs of lightweight socks.
· Wear waterproof boots or sturdy shoes to keep your feet warm and dry.
· Maryland residents in need of housing or energy assistance to keep warm this winter should call 2-1-1 to see if there are resources available to help.
· Be alert to other common winter hazards, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and injuries from heat sources. CO is produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. This colorless, odorless gas can cause severe illness and death. Heating sources can also cause fires, electrical injuries and burns if not properly installed, operated and maintained.
· Review your family emergency communications plan and emergency supply kits for homes and vehicles. Each family member should know what to do and how to contact others should an emergency arise. The home emergency supply kit should include unexpired food items, medical supplies and batteries. Vehicles should contain items such as heavy blankets, water, nonperishable food, a flashlight and a snow shovel.
For more information about winter weather preparedness, please visit the following websites:
Charles County Department of Emergency Services: www.charlescountymd.gov/es/em/emergency-management
MEMA: www.mema.maryland.gov
DHMH: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/winterrpts/SitePages/Home.aspx
FEMA: www.ready.gov and click on the Winter Storms link
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster and click on Winter Storm.
Severe weather notices are posted online at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov, on CCGTV cable television (Verizon channel 10 and Comcast channel 95), on Facebook and on Twitter. Sign up for the Citizen Notification Service (CNS) at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/CNS to receive inclement weather notifications by email or text message. For snow removal inquiries, call the Snow Removal Hotline at 888-460-SNOW (7669). For updated information on power outages, view the SMECO outage map at stormcenter.smeco.coop. Call 877-747-6326 to report a power outage. Call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.
Dept. of Emergency Services urges residents to check on vulnerable populations
The Charles County Department of Emergency Services wants residents to be prepared for extremely cold weather over the next few days. The National Weather Service in Sterling, Va., has forecast unusually cold temperatures through Saturday morning around the state.
“Now is the time to make preparations for you, your family members, home, car, and pets,” said Department of Emergency Services Director Bill Stephens.
Make sure pipes, especially those on exterior walls, are insulated or keep a faucet on the lowest level of your home turned on a slow stream. Make sure pets have appropriate shelter, free of frozen blankets. And make sure all of the fluids in your vehicles are full, have a car charger available, keep a blanket in your car, and make sure family and friends know your expected time and route of travel in case you are in an accident or become disabled.
Because of cold temperatures, sidewalks and some roadways may have patches of packed snow or ice, making falls a serious hazard. Residents, especially the elderly and those with limited mobility, should avoid walking on slippery surfaces.
“Help us help you,” said Maryland Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Clay Stamp. “If possible carry a cell phone with you at all times, even when just walking out to get the mail or newspaper. In some neighborhoods or rural areas, your fall might not be discovered quickly, and frostbite, hypothermia and death could occur quickly in single-digit temperatures.”
Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature falls below 95ºF. Frostbite is the freezing and subsequent destruction of body tissue that is likely to occur any time skin temperature gets much below 32ºF. The areas most likely to freeze are toes, fingers, ears, cheeks, and the tip of the nose.
While there were relatively few power outages as a result of the recent snow storm, the widespread cold front could affect regional power supplies. Residents should be prepared now in the unlikely event of a temporary power outage or reductions.
The Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf, Charles County Public Library (all branches), Department of Community Services in Port Tobacco, Nanjemoy Community Center, and Richard R. Clark Senior Center in La Plata are open and available as warming centers during normal operating hours. For information on operating hours for each location, visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov. If you require a warming shelter or know of someone in need of shelter after hours, contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-2222.
Here are other tips for dealing with the upcoming cold weather:
· Keep devices charged so you will have a way follow weather forecasts and local emergency information.
· Dress in layers, taking care to keep your hands covered.
· In the case of a power outage, contact SMECO at 877-747-6326 to report the outage.
· Cover your head. You lose as much as 50 percent of your body heat through your head.
· Wear several layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. The air between the layers acts as insulation to keep you warmer.
· Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect lungs from direct cold air. Cover your ears and the lower part of your face, too.
· Wear mittens rather than fingered gloves. The close contact of fingers helps keep your hands warm.
· Wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks, or two pairs of lightweight socks.
· Wear waterproof boots or sturdy shoes to keep your feet warm and dry.
· Maryland residents in need of housing or energy assistance to keep warm this winter should call 2-1-1 to see if there are resources available to help.
· Be alert to other common winter hazards, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and injuries from heat sources. CO is produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. This colorless, odorless gas can cause severe illness and death. Heating sources can also cause fires, electrical injuries and burns if not properly installed, operated and maintained.
· Review your family emergency communications plan and emergency supply kits for homes and vehicles. Each family member should know what to do and how to contact others should an emergency arise. The home emergency supply kit should include unexpired food items, medical supplies and batteries. Vehicles should contain items such as heavy blankets, water, nonperishable food, a flashlight and a snow shovel.
For more information about winter weather preparedness, please visit the following websites:
Charles County Department of Emergency Services: www.charlescountymd.gov/es/em/emergency-management
MEMA: www.mema.maryland.gov
DHMH: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/winterrpts/SitePages/Home.aspx
FEMA: www.ready.gov and click on the Winter Storms link
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster and click on Winter Storm.
Severe weather notices are posted online at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov, on CCGTV cable television (Verizon channel 10 and Comcast channel 95), on Facebook and on Twitter. Sign up for the Citizen Notification Service (CNS) at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/CNS to receive inclement weather notifications by email or text message. For snow removal inquiries, call the Snow Removal Hotline at 888-460-SNOW (7669). For updated information on power outages, view the SMECO outage map at stormcenter.smeco.coop. Call 877-747-6326 to report a power outage. Call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.
St. Mary's Co. Warming Centers Available to the Public
Freezing temperatures and sub-zero wind chills are again predicted for Southern Maryland this week. St. Mary's County has established the following Warming Centers for residents who need to take refuge in a warm place:
Garvey Senior Activity Center
41780 Baldridge Street
Leonardtown
Daily: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Loffler Senior Activity Center
21905 Chancellor's Run Road
Great Mills
Daily: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Northern Senior Activity Center
29655 Charlotte Hall Road
Charlotte Hall
Daily: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Charlotte Hall Library
37600 New Market Road
Charlotte Hall
Wed. - Thur. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Leonardtown Library
23250 Hollywood Road
Leonardtown
Wed. - Thur. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Lexington Park Library
21677 FDR Blvd.
Lexington Park
Wed. - Thur. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Freezing temperatures and sub-zero wind chills are again predicted for Southern Maryland this week. St. Mary's County has established the following Warming Centers for residents who need to take refuge in a warm place:
Garvey Senior Activity Center
41780 Baldridge Street
Leonardtown
Daily: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Loffler Senior Activity Center
21905 Chancellor's Run Road
Great Mills
Daily: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Northern Senior Activity Center
29655 Charlotte Hall Road
Charlotte Hall
Daily: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Charlotte Hall Library
37600 New Market Road
Charlotte Hall
Wed. - Thur. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Leonardtown Library
23250 Hollywood Road
Leonardtown
Wed. - Thur. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Lexington Park Library
21677 FDR Blvd.
Lexington Park
Wed. - Thur. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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