Annapolis, Anne Arundel Snow: Cancelations, Mall Closing, Plowing

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The National Weather Service predicts the Annapolis area will receive 6 to 8 inches of snow by Wednesday night, so all city, county and state government offices are closed, as well as Anne Arundel County Public schools. Officials have activated the county's Emergency Operations Center to answer non-emergency concerns about the storm: Call 410-222-0600. All emergency calls should to to 911. TTY users should call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1.

The Emergency Operations Center will coordinate with the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Anne Arundel County Fire Department, Anne Arundel County Police Department, and Anne Arundel County Office of Transportation, Anne Arundel County Central Services, and Anne Arundel County Recreations and Parks.

A wind warning remains in effect at the Chesapeake Bay bridge. Wind warnings mean (sustained wind speeds of 30-39 mph for a continuous period of 10 mins or more; or wind gusts persistently exceed 30 mph over a period of 15 mins) drivers of house trailers, box trailers, motorcycles, vehicles with roof-mount racks containing cargo or any other vehicle that may be subject to high winds are urged to use caution while traveling across the bridge.

Annapolis Closings, Status

• All City of Annapolis government offices are closed for non-essential employees.
• All city meetings scheduled for March 21 have been cancelled.
• ADOT will suspend regular bus service at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Transportation services will continue from the Westfield Mall to Eastport until the mall closes at 5:30 p.m. The last bus departing the mall going to Eastport will be at 5:45 p.m.
• The Pip Moyer Recreation center is closed.
• State Legislation General Assembly is open.

Area Closings

• All Anne Arundel County libraries are closed on Wednesday.
• All senior activity centers will be closed Wednesday; lunch will not be served at any Nutrition Program site. Senior Center Plus will be canceled, as well. For questions about transportation, call 410-222-0022.
• All City of Annapolis government offices are closed for nonessential employees on March 21. Essential employees should report as normal. The Pip Moyer Recreation Center is also closed.

Still Open

Transit services operating on normal schedule. Curbside yard waste and bulk trash collection on schedule. The status of these services may change as conditions worsen. Updates will be posted as needed. So far, the county animal shelter is open and trash pickup is on schedule.

Annapolis Parking

Annapolis residents, especially those parked on snow emergency routes, were asked to move their vehicles to the city garages Tuesday night, since parked cars on area streets are the biggest challenge for snow crews.

City parking garages are open, free of charge, for Annapolis City residents. Please park your vehicles in driveways so plows can clear as much snow as possible, or consider going to one of the following designated parking garages:

• Noah Hillman Parking Garage – 150 Gorman Street
• Gotts Court Parking Garage – 25 Northwest Street
• Knighton Parking Garage – 1A Colonial Avenue
• Park Place - 5 Park Place

For plowing information, visit the city’s website. This link to the City’s Public Works Department page, under Snow Information, will list Snow Emergency Routes, Snow Connector Routes and the City’s Snow Plan.

School activities canceled

Anne Arundel County is under a winter storm warning as sleet and heavy snow moves toward the area, and all Anne Arundel County Public Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, March 21. A Code Red is in effect for employees. Unit III personnel must report to their work locations as required.

Forecast

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Prince George's, Montgomery and Howard counties. The warning will run through 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Forecasters said heavy, wet snow is possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 8 inches is possible in central and northern Maryland.

Annapolis Office of Emergency Management is monitoring the storm and activated on Wednesday, March 21, at 7 a.m. The Annapolis Call Center also will open for all non-emergency calls. Annapolis residents can call 410-260-2211 regarding road conditions or any non-emergency, snow-related questions.

Wednesday’s regularly scheduled yard waste and bulk trash collection currently is still scheduled. The City’s Transit schedule also is currently on schedule.

Who oversees snow responses in Annapolis?

The Annapolis Emergency Operations Call Center is open and available to take non-emergency phone calls for example (the plowing of roads, electrical outages etc). The phone number to the call center for Annapolis City residents is 410-260-2211, for Anne Arundel County residents, call 410-222-0600. The purpose of the non-emergency call center is to lessen the impact on the 9-1-1 system. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

The Annapolis Office of Emergency Management has a Special Assistance Roster for individuals who have special needs and may need immediate assistance during storms. To register for special assistance roster call the Office of Emergency Management at 410-216-9167. Keep an eye out for those in your neighborhood who may be elderly, disabled or who may need special assistance.

Residents are asked to stay off the roads while plow crews work to ensure the safety of the roads. If you must go out slow down and give way to plow trucks. We also urge all not to park along snow emergency routes, those routes can be found by going to www.annapolis.gov For more information visit www.annapolis.gov. Follow the Annapolis Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management via social media for the latest updates. Don't forget to download the Prepare Annapolis app from your app or google play store for the latest safety update.

A Snow Emergency is declared when hazardous street conditions are created by snow, sleet or freezing rain. A Phase I Snow Emergency may be proclaimed by the Director of Public Works in consultation with the Chief of Police when the local forecast projects up to 4 inches of snow.

• Annapolis Public Works Department coordinates and performs snow removal from city right-of-way and city owned and leased facilities (except Recreation and Parks Department and Fire Department facilities).
• Recreation and Parks Department, after completion of snow removal responsibilities at their facilities, will provide snow removal assistance when requested by Public Works during a Snow Emergency.
• Fire Department is responsible for snow removal at their facilities for Phase I and II Snow Emergencies (forecasts of up to 8 inches of snow).

What Are Snow Emergency Routes?

During a Snow Emergency the priorities are early clearing of the arterial and collector streets, high employment centers, schools, transit routes, and health and emergency services.
• Snow Emergency Routes are the first priority for salting and plowing. Snow Emergency Routes are the city's arterial and collector streets, and are marked with signs.
• Snow Connector Routes are the second priority for salting and plowing. Snow Connector Routes correspond with Annapolis City Public School bus routes and Annapolis Department of Transportation bus routes.
• All other routes, including side streets, dead-end streets and cul-de-sacs, are addressed after Snow Emergency Routes and Snow Connector Routes are passable and safe.

These documents list the cities snow emergency and snow connector routes:

• Snow Emergency Routes (PDF) first priority for clearance
• Snow Connector Routes (PDF) second priority for clearance

When Will My Street Be Plowed?

If the forecast holds, Annapolis would receive what the city calls a Phase II / Level II (5-inches to 8-inches Snowfall).

Vehicular parking is banned on emergency snow routes; in advance of a Snow Emergency, residents will be directed to move their vehicles off Snow Emergency Routes to avoid towing and impound. City crews expect to make emergency snow routes passable within 24 hours of the end of the snow fall; Snow Connector Routes will be made passable within 36 hours of the end of the snow fall; all other routes will be made passable within 60 hours of the end of the snow fall.

Who clears sidewalks?
City Code Section 14.24.010 requires the abutting property owner to clear the public sidewalk of snow and ice within 3 hours after the snow or sleet has stopped. The exception is when the snow or sleet stopped falling between 3 p.m. and 6 a.m., then the snow/ice must be removed from the walk before 11 a.m.

Violation of this code requirement is subject to a $25 fine. City officials ask residents to help any neighbors who may be physically or otherwise unable to clear sidewalks. (Never use fertilizer to melt ice and snow; the nitrogen and phosphorus in fertilizer can harm your local streams, groundwater and the Chesapeake Bay, the city website says.)

How Can Residents Help?

Uncover and clear area around fire hydrants and storm drain inlets. If snow melts and rainwater can't flow away, it could cause street icing and basement flooding.

Parked cars are one of the biggest challenges for our snow crews. Please park your cars in driveways and off public streets so plows can clear as much snow as possible.

If your street is posted as an Emergency Snow Route, move your car off the route when a Level 2 or 3 emergency is declared. Park in your driveway if you have one. If you have no off-street parking available, the city may provide complimentary parking at city-owned lots during a Snow Emergency.

What tips should I observe while shoveling?

• Shovel early and often. Newly fallen snow is lighter than heavily packed or partially melted snow. It is also important to keep a path to your door in case you need to leave in an emergency.
• Push the snow instead of lifting it. Keep the shovel close to your body, and space your hands to increase leverage. If you must lift snow, lift properly. Squat with your legs apart, knees bent and back straight. Lift with your legs; do not bend at the waist. Scoop small amounts of snow into the shovel and walk to where you want to dump it.
• Do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side. This action requires a twisting motion that stresses your back.
• Do not work to the point of exhaustion.
• Don't pick up that shovel without a doctor's permission if you have a history of heart disease. If you feel tightness in the chest or dizziness, stop immediately.
• Do not let a hat or scarf block your vision. Watch out for ice patches and uneven surfaces. Avoid falls by wearing shoes/boots that have slip-resistant soles.
• Snow is a powerful light reflector on sunny days. Wear sunglasses to prevent "snow blindness."
• Pace yourself. Shoveling snow is an aerobic activity, comparable to weightlifting. Take frequent breaks from the cold and the effort, and replenish fluids to prevent dehydration.

How will this affect traffic?
Parking along Snow Emergency Routes is prohibited during a Snow Emergency. Violators may cause delay in Public Works' ability to effectively perform snow removal.

Where to find snow closings and cancelations?

The Mayor's Office will be responsible for communicating information to media outlets before, during and after any anticipated Snow Emergency. Information regarding winter weather events may be
found on the City's website, www.annapolis.gov.

City telephone numbers:

• Mayor's Office: 410.263.7954
• Public Information Officer: 410.263.1183
• Emergency Management Office/Emergency
• Operations Center: 410.216.9167
• City of Annapolis Call Center: 410.260.2211
• Public Works Operations Center: 410.263.7967
• Police Department: 410.268.9000
• Fire Department: 410.263.7975
• Transportation Department: 410.263.7964

Patch file photo