Post Blizzard Advisories & Notices

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Maryland Insurance Administration Provides Tips for Those Whose Property is Damaged During a Snow Storm

Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer?, Jr. offers the following tips to Marylanders whose property is damaged during a snow storm:

-- Contact your insurance company or agent immediately

-- Take photographs or video footage of any damage

-- If you have to relocate, even temporarily, make sure your insurance company or agent knows how to reach you

-- Before you remove any damaged property from the premises, be sure an insurance adjuster or your agent has seen it first

-- Keep all receipts for emergency repairs and for temporary living expenses

-- Make only those repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your home or business. Do not make permanent repairs without consulting your agent or insurance company, as unauthorized repairs may not be reimbursed

-- Keep receipts of all personal property you replace

-- Obtain estimates of the damage to the property from at least two contractors

-- Make a detailed list of all damaged property

-- If your insurance company denies any part of your claim, keep all of the paperwork they send you

-- If you hire a public adjuster, understand that your insurance company is not obligated to follow what a public adjuster determines to be your loss

-- Read your policy carefully so you understand what is covered and what is not

If you are not satisfied with the offer from your insurance company, you do not have to accept it. Contact the company and explain why you think it is not sufficient. If you are still not satisfied, you may contact the Insurance Administration at 1-800-492-6116.

For more information, visit the Insurance Administration’s website and click on Insurance Preparedness for Natural Disasters.

http://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Pages/InsurancePreparednessNaturalDisasters.aspx
 

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With Snowfall Complete, Cleanup and Recovery Efforts Now Underway

Snowfall ended in St. Mary’s County late last night. The National Weather Service is reporting snow deposits of up to 13.5” are around the County, but much greater depths due to drifting snow are reported county-wide. Residents are being urged to limit travel on the roads while state and local highway crews continue snow removal operations.

Plowing operations along Priority 1 routes (475 lane miles) and Priority 2 and 3, secondary and sub division streets (785 miles) are ongoing and will continue until late this evening. Recovery operations on county roadways are expected to take 2-3 days to complete. To check the progress of road crews, view the County Snow Removal map at http://www.stmarysmd.com/dpw/roadalertmap.asp.

As residents dig out from the storm please be aware of the National Safety Council basic tips for snow shoveling:

• Do not shovel after eating or while smoking

• Take it slow and stretch out before you begin

• Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it's lighter

• Push the snow rather than lifting it

• If you do lift it, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel

• Lift with your legs, not your back

• Do not work to the point of exhaustion

St. Mary’s County Government will provide additional updates when warranted.
 

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Tips for Helping with Snow Removal Operations:

• Please do not park vehicles on the streets. Park your vehicles in the driveway and don't allow vehicles to extend into the roadway. When vehicles are parked on streets and cul-de-sacs we may not be able to clear snow from the street.

• When shoveling your driveway, do not place the snow from your driveway back into the street.

• Please place private property or other structures at least 10 feet back from the street to allow for proper snow removal. The county is not responsible for damage which may occur to any items if left in the street or right-of-way.

• Stay back at least 50' from the rear of plow trucks so the rock salt they spread will not hit your vehicle

• Children are attracted to snowplow trucks. Teach your children to stay away from the street when they see the trucks coming.

• Some trucks are capable of plowing multiple lanes of snow at one time with wing plows. Avoid passing or driving beside plow trucks - especially to their right (passenger) side.
 

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Crews Continue Cleanup in Aftermath of Blizzard, Citizens Asked to Stay Patient

Officials with the Calvert County Department of Public Safety are asking residents to stay home and stay patient as state and county crews continue with snow removal. The blizzard ended at approximately 12:30 a.m. this morning and it will take some time to continue the cleanup and assess storm-related damage. With over 18" of snow, this will not be a short term clean up; priority areas will be addressed first, but we will get to everyone as soon as possible.

"I couldn't be more impressed with the level of dedication and hard work put in by our county employees to support storm efforts," said Jackie Vaughan, director of the Calvert County Department of Public Safety. "From pre-staging, to blizzard response, to the beginning of storm cleanup, our employees haven't stopped working in very treacherous conditions for the citizens of Calvert County."

Calvert County Highway Maintenance Division Chief Rob Helms said that more than 100 pieces of equipment consisting of graders, backhoes, loaders, skid steers and plow trucks were used around the clock since storm preparations began Thursday. The county also staged 6,000 tons of salt. By the peak of the storm last night, all primary and secondary roads were already plowed. Crews continue this morning to maintain what was cleared and expand on widening the plowed area to the curbs.

"Mother Nature certainly challenged us," explained Al Jeffery, Calvert County Emergency Management Specialist. "Our state and local emergency response teams planned the work, and worked the plan. It was an extraordinary regional effort."

Jeffery said the county's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will remain activated and staffed until blizzard response efforts are complete.

All county parks, community centers and the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center remain closed today. Information about extended closures for these or other county services will be released as more information becomes available.

In the event of a power outage, or downed power lines customers should contact their provider at SMECO online at www.smeco.coop or by calling 1-877-74-SMECO, or BGE online at www.bge.com or by calling 877-778-2222.

Visit the Calvert County government website at www.co.cal.md.us or Facebook page for updates and for information on storm clean up status.
 

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County Continues Snow Plowing Efforts following Record-Breaking Snowfall
Residents reminded to stay at home and off of roads


The weekend snowstorm brought Charles County more than 20 inches of snow, freezing temperatures, and blizzard conditions. The Department of Public Works’ Roads Division reminds residents although the snowfall has ended, county employees and contractors are working around the clock until all 1,650 miles of county-maintained streets are passable.

The first priority of the Roads Division is to keep snow emergency routes and primary county roads passable, which may decrease response time to residential and neighborhood roads. According to the Charles County Snow Removal Schedule, it may take 36 to 48 hours after a 15" snowfall for primary and major residential county roads to be plowed, and 24" of snow may require 48 to 60 hours. The type of snow (wet or powder), temperatures, and wind conditions following a storm can alter this schedule.

To view the Charles County Snow Removal Schedule, visit: http://www.charlescountymd.gov/sites/default/files/pw/Snow Removal Schedule.pdf.

“We are in a recovery phase following this historic snowstorm, and we anticipate another 24-48 hours of work are necessary to have all county roads cleared,” said William Shreve, director of the Department of Public Works. “Our Roads Division crews and contractors are working 24/7 to move snow, but full recovery from the storm will be a multi-day event. We appreciate the public’s continued patience.”

The Roads Division would like to residents to keep in mind the following:
  • All roads will be plowed to bare pavement as soon as possible after a storm has ended.
  • A storm has “ended” only after wind has diminished and temperatures start to rise above freezing.
  • Passable is not considered bare pavement.
  • If you have a driveway, use it. The more cars off the street, the better the job the plows can do and the less likely it is your car will be plowed in, splashed by salt spray, or be the victim of a collision.
  • If you do not have a driveway, park as close to the curb as possible on one side of the street. Park your car on the even-numbered side of the street. Move to the other side of the street after the plow has cleared it.
  • To help avoid the frustration that may occur when a snowplow covers your driveway with snow after you have shoveled, stand facing the street and shovel snow to the right into your yard instead of into the street.

Traveling conditions for motorists are still dangerous, and below freezing temperatures overnight may cause icy conditions, even on cleared roads. Residents are encouraged to stay at home if possible, and to keep roads clear for public safety and emergency vehicles to reach those in critical need.

Severe weather notices are posted online at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CharlesCounty, and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CharlesCoMD. Weather updates are also aired on CCGTV, which broadcasts on Comcast channel 95 and Verizon channel 10. Sign up for the Citizen Notification System at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/CNS to receive inclement weather and traffic alerts by text message, email, or phone. For 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.
 
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