Department of Emergency Services Continues to Coordinate Resources

Snow continues to fall throughout Charles County and wind gusts have picked up in some areas. The Department of Emergency Services urges residents to stay off the roads so state and local highway crews can continue plowing operations.

As strong winds and heavy snowfall continues, residents are urged to keep cell phones, tablets, and other devices charged, and be prepared for possible extended power outages.

“I want to thank Charles County residents for the common sense they have shown thus far during the storm. Your cooperation has helped emergency personnel and plowing crews do their jobs,” said Department of Emergency Services Director William Stephens. “I want to urge people to continue to stay off of the roads unless travel is absolutely essential.”

When it snows, the Roads Division concentrates on keeping primary county roads and major residential neighborhood streets passable. These roads are cleared down to bare pavement as soon as possible after a storm is over.

There are several things residents can do to help with the snow removal process:
•    Park cars in a driveway, if possible. The more cars off the street, easier it is to plow streets and the less likely it is that cars will be plowed in, splashed by salt spray, or damaged in a collision.
•    If no driveway is available, park as close to the curb on the even-numbered side of the street.  Move parked cars to the other side of the street after the plow has cleared it.
•    When shoveling snow from a driveway, stand facing the street and shovel snow to the right into your yard instead of into the street, to snow being plowed back into a cleared driveway.

County employees work around the clock until all 1,650 miles of county-maintained streets are passable. It may take 24 to 36 hours after an 8″ to 10″ snowfall for primary and major residential county roads to be plowed, 15″ of snow requires about 36 to 48 hours, and 24″ of snow may require 48 to 60 hours. The type of snow (wet or powder), temperatures, and wind conditions following a storm can alter this schedule.

Snow plows are concentrating on clearing snow emergency routes and primary roads. If you must drive, please stay well away from snow plows. While it may be inconvenient to be stuck behind a snow plow or a multi-unit snowplow “train,” trying to pass is dangerous, and the roads in front of the plows will be snow-covered.

“We still have at least 12 hours of storm conditions ahead of us. The best way to get through this is if we all work together,” said Stephens.

The Department of Emergency Services continues to coordinate the use of state resources to help keep our residents safe. In addition to staying off the roads and monitoring the weather and power outages, residents should take the following actions:
•    Keep devices charged so you will have a way to follow weather forecasts and local emergency information and be able to contact family and friends.
•    Be cautious shoveling snow or ice to avoid overexertion. Take frequent breaks and keep hydrated.
•    Check on friends, neighbors, and relatives, especially the elderly or vulnerable residents who may have trouble staying warm or maneuvering on icy surfaces.
•    Residents living near coastal areas should be prepared to experience moderate coastal flooding and waves due to the high wind.
•    Know who to contact in the case of a power outage. Call SMECO’s Outage Hotline at 1-877-74-SMECO or 1-877-747-6326. Customers may also download the SMECO 24/7 app, use SMECO’s text messaging service, or go to the co-op’s website to report the outage online at smeco.coop/account/report-an-outage. Report downed power lines to SMECO immediately by calling 1-888-440-3311.
•    Make sure pets are not exposed to the severe weather. Also remember that salt and other deicing materials can irritate their paws.