Maryland governor declares state of emergency ahead of winter storm

Governor Wes Moore declared a State of Emergency on Thursday for Maryland due to a major winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, ice, and wind chills near or below zero starting Saturday. Moore requested an Emergency Declaration from the federal government to expedite assistance during and after the storm.

What’s Important: The declaration shifts Maryland from preventative measures to active response efforts. Travel will be hazardous to near impossible and at times may be life-threatening throughout the weekend. The State Emergency Operations Center will be staffed throughout the weekend, and the State Emergency Activation Level will increase on Saturday.

How This Affects Real People: Marylanders are urged to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. Staying off roads is essential to keeping routes clear for law enforcement, snow removal crews, and emergency responders.

State Response: The Maryland Department of Emergency Management will staff the State Emergency Operations Center beginning Saturday with personnel from across state government. The Maryland Department of Transportation is activating the State Highway Administration Emergency Operations Center on Saturday.

Crews began brining operations on Thursday and will complete them by Friday. The Coordinated Highway Action Response Team will enhance roadside patrols to clear lanes more rapidly in case of crashes, disabled vehicles or road debris. The Maryland Transportation Authority will temporarily close the I-95 Express Toll Lanes on Saturday in Baltimore to prioritize snow removal operations.

Law Enforcement and Military: The Maryland State Police will be increasing staffing across the state. The Maryland National Guard has mobilized more than 100 personnel who will provide transportation, mobility, and logistical support to civil authorities. Guard members are strategically prepositioning assets in key locations throughout Maryland with 10 Light Medium Tactical Vehicles and 32 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles.

Utilities and Power: The Public Service Commission is coordinating the state’s utilities on storm preparedness efforts and outage response. Utilities plan to fully staff line and field crews, bring in contractors when necessary, and maximize customer service and call center staffing.

The state’s major utilities have committed to having crews work around the clock until all customers are restored, with priority given to public safety facilities, emergency services, and infrastructure serving large numbers of customers.

Health and Disability Services: The Maryland Department of Health is standing by to coordinate the state’s public health and medical response during the storm. The Maryland Department of Disabilities will activate the disability hotline on Sunday through Monday. The hotline is not for emergency services, but is available to provide resources, referrals, and expertise for people with disabilities. Assistive technology kits are prepared for deployment for use in mass care shelters.

What to Do: Stay informed by regularly checking weather updates from official sources. Have an emergency kit ready and a family emergency plan in place. Keep devices charged in case of power outages. Check with local authorities for the latest information about public evacuation shelters.

Generator Safety: Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. The generator should be at least 20 feet away from the home and away from windows, doors, and vents.

Cold Weather Dangers: Watch for symptoms of hypothermia or frostbite, which can set in quickly, especially if you have exposed skin or have been outside in the cold for an extended period of time. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.