Havre De Grace Prepares For Major Winter Storm: Latest Forecast, Cancellations, How To Prepare

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — A winter storm warning is in effect for most of Maryland, with the exception of the state's Eastern Shore. Residents are being reminded by officials when roads will be cleared, how to stay warm and what to do to keep safe during the precarious weekend weather.

By Monday, Baltimore City could see 13 inches of snow on the ground. Nearby, predicted totals include more than 11 inches in Annapolis, nearly 14 inches in Bel Air, and 17 inches in Frederick and Westminster.

The winter storm warning encompasses Baltimore City and surrounding counties, including Montgomery, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Howard and Harford. The warning takes effect at 11 p.m. Saturday and stretches through 4 a.m. on Monday.

In the latest forecast update from the National Weather Service, the agency said snow will likely spread across the region Saturday night, becoming heavy at times with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible. A mix of sleet or freezing rain is expected Sunday, the National Weather Service said, with significant icing possible, especially south of Highway 50. Visibility of one-quarter mile or less is possible at times.

Related: MD Snow Totals Up In Latest Weekend Storm Forecast

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency ahead of this weekend's winter storm and residents have been advised against traveling if possible.

"This winter storm has the potential to be remarkably dangerous, and it's not just going to impact Maryland," Moore said. "A storm of this size, of this magnitude, is one that needs to be taken very, very seriously."

Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts from Harford County by texting "HarfordCoMD" to 410-457-3655.

“We are anticipating a serious storm, and our entire government is mobilized to prepare and respond. This includes snow removal, emergency shelters, emergency response and other critical services. We have been—and will continue—holding daily coordination meetings with federal, state and local agencies, including utility providers. We will be sending out communications on how to prepare and stay safe during the storm. We ask residents to prepare now, stay informed and remain patient, as cleanup from this storm will likely take several days. Updates will be available on the Harford County Government website as well as the county’s Facebook page throughout the storm," Harford County Executive Bob Casilly told Patch.

Casilly encouraged residents to take steps now to be ready for the winter storm.

“Please check on your family and neighbors to make sure they are also prepared. Stay informed, follow safety guidelines and use available resources such as our You CLICK We FIX customer service app," he added.

Late Friday, Casilly also declared a local state of emergency due to the forecasted winter storm. The declaration activates the county’s emergency operations plans and responses, and directs county departments to coordinate response and recovery efforts with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management and other agencies.

“As Harford County braces for the coming winter storm, I encourage our citizens to stay off the roads and stay inside, if possible,” Cassilly said. “Our Emergency Operations Center will be activated tomorrow with dedicated staff and first responders working around the clock to support our citizens throughout the storm.”

Late Friday, Casilly also declared a local state of emergency due to the forecasted winter storm. The declaration activates the county’s emergency operations plans and responses, and directs county departments to coordinate response and recovery efforts with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management and other agencies.

“As Harford County braces for the coming winter storm, I encourage our citizens to stay off the roads and stay inside, if possible,” Cassilly said. “Our Emergency Operations Center will be activated tomorrow with dedicated staff and first responders working around the clock to support our citizens throughout the storm.”

The Harford County Hotline 410-838-5800 will be open at 8 p.m. Saturday for non-emergency calls and to answer any questions citizens may have.

Harford’s You CLICK We FIX application has a drop-down menu for snow related issues. The app can be accessed from the county website at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/1737/You-Click-We-Fix or downloaded for free onto a smartphone or mobile device.

Parking, traveling

Vehicles traveling on the roads when a snow emergency plan is in effect must have snow or all-weather radial tires or chains, officials noted.

No parking is allowed along designated snow emergency routes. Snowplow drivers must open up inlets and drainage outlets to prevent snow from packing on top and causing flooding problems. They also must clear a way to mailboxes. So residents are reminded to remove their vehicles from streets to allow snowplow drivers to have ample access to the roadway, as well as portable basketball hoops from the county right-of-way.

If you do not have a driveway, park on the even numbered side of the road in even years and odd numbered side of the road in odd years, and as close to the curb as possible. Move to the other side of the road after the plow has cleared it, the county stated.

Residents who live in Bel Air but do not have a driveway can leave their vehicle in the municipal parking garage on South Hickory Avenue over the weekend, but they must be out by Monday, Bel Air Department of Public Works Director Steve Kline said.

Harford County Department of Emergency Services asked residents not to travel once snow starts falling and to make sure vehicles have a full tank of gas and the following items in their emergency kit:

• Jumper cables, flares and tow rope
• Spare tire
• First aid kit
• Cell phone charger
• Water and snacks
• Blanket, cold weather gear
• Snow shovel
• Sand or cat litter

Snow removal

According to Harford County, the first roads to be plowed will be emergency roads, followed by main roads, then secondary roads and cul-de-sacs.

Here's a general rule of thumb for when roads will be cleared:

• 0-6 inches: It takes eight to 16 hours following the end of a 0-6 inches snowfall to plow and/or treat every county road once.
• 6-12 inches: After a 6- to 12- inch snowfall, county roads should be cleared within 24 to 36 hours. At that time, one pass should have been made through all county roads.
• 12-18 inches: After a 12- to 18- inch snowfall, our crews will complete the work in 35 to 40 hours.
• 18-24 inches: After an 18- to 24- inch snowfall, one pass should have been made through all county roads in 48 to 72 hours.

Property owners, residential and commercial, are required to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Residents are asked that after they are done shoveling their driveways and sidewalks, to stand facing the road and shovel snow to the right into the yard instead of into the road.

"This will help avoid the frustration that occurs when a snowplow covers your driveway with snow," officials said. "Please be patient! Roads are plowed according to their priority and reviewed at the end of each season. Snow fighters work around the clock until all of the over 1,090 miles of county-maintained roads are passable. We use a force of approximately 201 employees and 158 pieces of snow removal equipment for routine snowplowing and we have available 20 additional pieces of equipment for use when conditions dictate. We store 20,000 tons of salt to get the job done."

Cancellations

Harford County Public Schools will be closed, Sunday, which includes all buildings and property and applies to all HCPS and outside groups, officials said.

Staying warm

Cold weather advisories have been issued across much of the area with actual temperatures expected to drop into the single digits Friday night, the National Weather Service said. Due to the extreme cold that's accompanying the storm, residents in need of a warm place - if there power hasn't gone out - can turn to Harford County public libraries, which function as warming centers during normal operational hours.

Here are their locations:

• Aberdeen - 21 Franklin St., Aberdeen
• Abingdon - 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon
• Bel Air - 100 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Bel Air
• Darlington - 3535 Conowingo Road, Street
• Edgewood - 629 Edgewood Road, Edgewood
• Fallston - 1461 Fallston Road, Fallston
• Havre de Grace - 120 N. Union Ave., Havre de Grace
• Jarrettsville - 3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville
• Joppa - 655 Towne Center Drive, Joppa
• Norrisville - 5310 Norrisville Road, White Hall
• Whiteford - 2407 Whiteford Road, Whiteford

The Harford County Department of Emergency Services reminded residents that farm animals also can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite in extremely cold conditions.

"With a winter storm and extreme cold coming, move your farm animals to sheltered areas, if possible, whether that be a barn or shed or a shelter belt. Move extra feed and bedding to feeding areas and have plenty of water available. If the water source can’t be heated, break the ice regularly to allow animal access," the department stated.

Pets also must be protected from the cold in Harford County per county code. If temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, pets should not be left outside for extended periods, Harford County Animal Control stated. Pets must have a moisture-proof and insulated shelter per code, with bedding, and a door or wind flap. There must be a fresh daily supply of unfrozen water and adequate food per code.

Related:

• Bel Air Hardware Stores Help Residents Prepare For Winter Storm
• 15 Winter Events To Beat Cabin Fever In Maryland
• How To Prepare, Safety Tips For MD Weekend Winter Storm