Citizens asked to help keep roadways clear for plowing

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Charles County. The Department of Public Works’ Roads Division is ready to respond in the event the snow arrives as anticipated.

What to Expect When It Snows

When it snows, a crew of approximately 56 Roads Division employees and 100 contractors concentrate 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. Plowing begins generally when snow is one to three inches deep, and the temperature indicates there will be no melting.

There are several things citizens 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. The general snow removal schedule is as follows:

  • It takes a minimum of 12 hours following the end of a 3″ to 4″ snowfall to plow and/or treat every primary county road once.

  • After a 5″ to 7″ snowfall, expect primary and major residential county roads to be plowed within 18 to 24 hours.

  • After an 8″ to 10″ snowfall, you can expect primary and major residential County roads to be plowed within 24 to 36 hours.

  • 15″ of snow will require about 36 to 48 hours, and 24″ of snow will require 48 to 60 hours.

The type of snow (wet or powder), temperatures and wind conditions following a storm can alter this schedule. In some cases where snow is drifting and blowing, snow plows will concentrate on snow emergency routes and primary roads. This may decreases response time to residential or neighborhood roads. Please be patient. Streets are plowed according to their priority and reviewed at the end of each season.

How You Can Help

Clearing driveways and entrances is the responsibility of the property owner. All residential and business owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks on their own property. Please keep in mind:

  • If you have a driveway, use it. The more cars off the street, the better the job we can do and the less likely it is that your car will be plowed in, splashed by salt spray, or be the victim of a collision.

  • If you do not have a driveway, park as close to the curb as possible on one side of the street. Park your car on the even-numbered side of the street.  Move to the other side of the street after the plow has cleared it.

  • To help avoid the frustration that may occur when a snowplow covers your driveway with snow after you have shoveled, stand facing the street and shovel snow to the right into your yard instead of into the street.

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