Gaithersburg Snow Emergency Starts Friday Morning

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GAITHERSBURG, MD — With significant snowfall predicted to begin on Friday afternoon, Gaithersburg City Manager Tony Tomasello has declared that a snow emergency will take effect at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22.

All cars must be removed from streets marked as snow emergency routes, or they could be ticketed and towed. Designated streets may be found in the Map Gallery on the City website: www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Even on roads that are not designated as snow emergency routes, residents are urged to use off-street parking, if available, starting Thursday evening. If you must park on the street, park as closely to the curb as possible, city officials ask. Avoid parking in cul-de-sacs, which can be challenging for snow removal crews to navigate.

The City of Gaithersburg will be closed starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, and will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday. This means that all city facilities are closed and all events, activities and programs are cancelled.

Non-essential employees should not report for work during these hours. Essential employees must report as scheduled.

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Residents are urged to not venture out except in emergency situations. City of Gaithersburg snow removal crews will work around the clock to ensure that main roads are passable. Officials warn that with a storm of this magnitude, full clearing of all city streets will likely take several days.

It would be most efficient to wait until your street has been plowed before you begin shoveling your sidewalks, driveways and parking spaces, the city says. Do not put snow back into the roadway. This could delay the snow removal efforts.

Residents are reminded that they are responsible for clearing sidewalks abutting their property. This is often easier to accomplish if done during or immediately following the weather event. Remember to clear snow from around fire hydrants in neighborhoods, as well.

The reopening status of city facilities and activities will be posted on the city’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.