Annapolis declares Phase Two Snow Emergency

Annapolis will declare a Phase Two Snow Emergency at 8 p.m. Saturday as a winter storm brings snow, sleet, and freezing rain through Monday morning.

What’s Happening: The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for the region starting at 11 p.m. Saturday and continuing through Monday morning. Mayor Jared Littmann declared a State of Emergency at noon Saturday. Vehicles must be moved off Snow Emergency Routes starting at 8 p.m. Saturday. Cars still parked on those routes after 10 p.m. Saturday may be towed at the owner’s expense.

What’s Important: Four city-owned garages—Park Place, Knighton, Gotts, and Mills Hillman—will open at 4 p.m. Saturday for free parking. The Annapolis Department of Public Works is pre-treating all city roads Saturday. Once snow begins, crews will plow and salt in 12-hour shifts. City crews will not plow to bare pavement Sunday to prevent ice sheet formation when snow changes to freezing rain. The Maryland National Guard provided two units to assist the city with high-clearance vehicles for public safety.

How This Affects Real People: City offices will be closed Monday except for police, fire, emergency management, and public works. The Pip Moyer Recreation Center will be closed Sunday. Both the Stanton Center and Pip Moyer Center will be closed Monday. Monday trash and recycling pickups are cancelled and will shift to Tuesday. Tuesday pickups will shift to Wednesday. The Annapolis City Council meeting scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Monday has been rescheduled to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2.

Emergency Services: The Pip Moyer Recreation Center auxiliary gym will open as an emergency warming center at 7 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday, Jan. 27. The Annapolis Call Center will operate throughout the storm for non-emergency questions at 410-260-2211. The City Emergency Operations Center will be at partial activation starting at 9 p.m. Saturday. Residents who need special assistance should call 410-260-2211.

Transit and Roads: Annapolis Transit, including paratransit, the downtown Magenta Shuttle, and Go Time on-demand service, are expected to operate on a Sunday schedule. Annapolis Transportation will evaluate conditions at 5 a.m. Sunday. SnowPaths at www.annapolis.gov/snowpaths provides real-time GPS tracking of snow plowing and road salting.

Property Owner Requirements: Annapolis City Code requires property owners to clear adjacent public sidewalks of snow and ice within three hours after snow or sleet stops falling or by 11 a.m. following an overnight snow event. The fine for noncompliance is $100 per day.

Power Outages: Baltimore Gas and Electric is prepared to handle potential outages. Residents should stay clear of downed trees and wires and report outages by calling 877-778-2222, texting OUT to MYBGE (69243), or visiting the BGE “Report an Outage” portal online.

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. Generators must be at least 20 feet away from the home and away from windows, doors, and vents.