Making up for two relatively mild winter seasons, Mother Nature delivered a real wallop beginning February 11. By the time the snow ended on the 13th, the County had received between 12 and 20 inches – depending on the location. The County Department of Transportation deployed 675 pieces of equipment to plow the roads and remove the snow from the central business districts.
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett declared a Snow Emergency beginning on February 12 to aid snow removal staff in clearing emergency routes and urged residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. A Snow Emergency Declaration means that parking is prohibited along routes signed and marked as “Snow Emergency Route.” Vehicles parked on emergency routes are ticketed and towed. During a Snow Emergency, vehicles on the road must have all-weather or snow tires or chains. Taxicabs operating in Montgomery County during declared snow emergencies are allowed to charge $2.50 extra per trip.
To aid residents in moving vehicles off-road so snow plows could more efficiently remove snow, free parking was offered in County-owned parking lots and garages Wednesday evening through Friday.
The best way for residents to receive timely severe weather and emergency notifications directly to cell phones and/or email addresses is from Alert Montgomery. Or, follow the County on Facebook or Twitter.
The latest information about closings, delays and other snow-related updates is also available on the County’s website or by calling the MC311 Call Center at 311 or 240-777-0311. The Center’s normal operating hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but during storms, operating hours are generally extended.
Residents can track MCDOT’s plowing operations on the County’s Storm Operations Map. Once plowing in a neighborhood is complete, use the map to request additional service or report a missed street if needed.
