Level III Policy Implemented

With 18″ to 24″ of snow expected to fall between tomorrow and Sunday, Annapolis Mayor Joshua Cohen has declared a Level III Snow Policy.

The Mayor is requesting that all vehicles be removed from snow emergency routes and snow feeder roads by Friday afternoon. Free parking will be available at the City garages.

We need to get the vehicles off the roads to give our crews a fighting chance to get the roads cleared in an acceptable timeframe after the snow begins to fall. Remember this is an historic area and many of the roads are narrow, so if you don’t get your cars off the designated Emergency Snow Routes, they will have to be towed.
Annapolis Mayor, Joshua J. Cohen

Additionally, the Mayor warned of forecast gale force winds and high tides at City Dock. You can read the entire release after the jump.

Public Information Office
160 Duke of Gloucester Street
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
For Immediate Release Media contact: Phill McGowan
Office (410) 263-1183
Cell (443) 433-8920
E-mail: [email protected]
Storm Level III Policy in Effect for Annapolis
Annapolis, MD (02-04-10) — With the National Weather Service predicting Annapolis will receive 18 to 24 inches of snow between tomorrow night and Sunday morning, Mayor Joshua J. Cohen is imploring residents to clear vehicles from the Emergency Snow Routes by Friday afternoon.
“We need to get the vehicles off the roads to give our crews a fighting chance to get the roads cleared in an acceptable timeframe after the snow begins to fall,” Mayor Cohen said. “Remember this is an historic area and many of the roads are narrow, so if you don’t get your cars off the designated Emergency Snow Routes, they will have to be towed.”
The city garages – Hillman, Knighton and Gott’s — and the City Dock parking lot will be open for free parking beginning at 8 a.m. Friday for city residents. Please note that Knighton and Hillman will have more availability. If your street is a designated Emergency Snow Route, move your car off the emergency route by 4 p.m. Friday. Any cars remaining on those routes after 4 p.m. Friday will be subject to towing. Cars will be towed to the City Dock parking lot.
If you are not sure your home is along an Emergency Snow Route, go to the city Web site, http://www.annapolis.gov, to find snow route maps and emergency routes along with other important weather-related information.
Along with the snow, the storm is expected to greatly intensify as it moves along the mid-Atlantic, creating near gale-force winds Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning. While coastal flooding is not a threat at this time, City Dock will see elevated water levels during the storm, so boaters and stores along the dock area need to check http://www.annapolis.gov often for any updates.
Administrative offices will close at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5 in anticipation of the snowfall, and Mayor Cohen has authorized use of unscheduled annual leave for nonessential employees on Friday, Feb. 5 and Monday, Feb. 8. Essential personnel must report on time.
If Annapolis gets the 18 to 24 inches as expected, the city will be at Storm Level III:
If the local forecast is for 1″ to 4″ of snow, the Department of Public Works expect to make the emergency snow routes, snow connector routes and street ends passable within 24 to 36 hours after the end of the storm. Roadways are typically salted to improve melting.
If the forecast is for 5″ to 8″, DPW expects to make emergency snow routes passable within 24 to 36 hours after the storm ends. Snow connector routes and street ends will be made passable only after all emergency snow routes are made passable, or within 48 hours.
If the forecast is for 9″ or more snow, any freezing rain, or ice, challenges become greater. Emergency snow routes will be made passable within 3 to 4 days, with snow connector routes and street ends made passable within 3 to 5 days.
Gale-force winds associated with the storm could result in power outages. Outages should be reported to BGE at 1-877-778-2222. Anyone in need of shelter during the storm should contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services at 410-421-8400 or 410-863-4888.
Monday night’s City Council meeting is still planned to be held. If it needs to be cancelled, a decision will be announced Monday.
Please remember, City Code, Section 14.24.010, requires the abutting property owner to clear the public sidewalk of snow and ice within three hours after the snow or sleet has stopped falling except when the snow or sleet stopped falling between 3 p.m. and 6 a.m., then the snow/ice must be removed from the walk before 11 a.m. Violation of this code requirement is subject to a $25 fine. Please lend a helping hand to any neighbors who may be physically or otherwise unable to clear sidewalks. (Never use fertilizer to melt ice and snow; the nitrogen and phosphorus in fertilizer can harm your local streams, groundwater and the Chesapeake Bay.)
When city offices are closed, call our Public Works 24-hour emergency hotline at 410-224-2140.
In general, city crews will make every attempt to make streets “passable” for essential vehicle travel. Icing conditions are handled by applying deicing agents; however, thawing capabilities of salt are greatly diminished at temperatures below 20 degrees.