WCBC

January 26th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Governor Larry Hogan continues to direct all state agencies in a coordinated effort to keep Marylanders safe and informed in the aftermath of the recent historic winter storm. The state response and recovery efforts are well underway as crews work diligently to clear roads. Yesterday, Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Executive Director Russell Strickland sent a letter of intent for the State of Maryland to pursue federal disaster assistance and to request that FEMA begin the coordination for joint damage assessments following the winter storm.

"As Maryland continues to recover and conditions on state highways continue to improve, I want to again thank the countless people who have worked 24-hours a day in response to this historic winter storm," said Governor Hogan. "Most importantly, I want to thank the citizens of Maryland for heeding our call to be patient and safe by staying off the roads – it has made a huge difference in our ability to effectively respond to this emergency.”

The state of emergency enacted by Governor Hogan last Friday remains in effect and will remain in effect until further notice is provided. The executive order signed by the governor continues to allow the Maryland National Guard to assist law enforcement and local communities across the state.

The Maryland Unites hotline, 1-888-756-7836, is still available for public inquiries into Department of Human Resources services including emergency shelter information and other human service needs.

State Highway Administration and Maryland Transportation Authority

• At the height of the storm, SHA and MDTA had 3,100 pieces of equipment operating, using additional contract crews and out-of-state resources.
• There are 1,126 SHA, MDTA and contract pieces of equipment continuing to clear state highways, staffed with 595 employees.
• SHA estimates for salt usage is 67,000 tons with a remaining inventory of a little less than 300,000 tons.
• MDTA estimates for salt usage on tunnels, bridges, and toll roads is 7,800 tons of salt with a remaining inventory of 37,800 tons.
• Between Friday at 12:00 PM and today, CHART emergency patrols assisted 824 disabled vehicles, 208 crashes and 153 damages to property. No fatalities and 30 crashes involved injuries. 
• Interstates and primary state roads are approximately 90% passable.
• I-95 Express Toll Lanes between Baltimore City and White Marsh have reopened Southbound Express Toll Lanes with Northbound Express Toll Lanes to open by evening rush hour today.
• Drivers should remove ice and snow from vehicles as soon as possible as rain and lower temperatures tonight can lead to ice/ice projectiles tonight/tomorrow.

Maryland State Police

• Since 3:00 PM Friday when the storm began, Maryland State Police have responded to more than 2900 calls for service. They have responded to 341 accidents. Troopers have assisted more than 850 motorists.

Maryland National Guard

• Supported more than 1,000 missions including working with local law enforcement and fire departments to provide transportation and evacuation, distribution of supplies, road clearing and snow removal, search and rescue, security/law enforcement, patient evacuation, and sheltering assistance.
• There are more than 700 soldiers and personnel and 90 vehicles standing by across Maryland and responding to requests from across the state. More than half of those assets are supporting missions in Baltimore City.

Maryland Department of Transportation

• All major state roads are clear and state secondary roads have at least one passable lane in each direction. Snow removal efforts continue at or near intersections to state roads and shoulders. Drivers should use caution.
• Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) crews continue to clear 17,824 lane miles of the state’s highways and toll roads. 
• There are three types of state-maintained roads in Maryland: Interstates, US numbered routes, and MD numbered routes.
• To determine if a road is plowed by the state, county or municipality, please visit MDOT’s website: http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/KnowYourRoads.html.

Maryland Transit Administration

• On Tuesday, Jan. 26, all transit modes – including Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Local Bus, MARC Train, Metro Subway and Mobility/Paratransit – will operate with expanded service from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. All transit services are expected to return to normal by the end of the week.
• The above ground section of Metro Subway will open as conditions allow.
• Light Rail will operate limited service from North Avenue to Hunt Valley based on track conditions.
• Operation plans for Wednesday, January 27, will be determined and announced by the MTA.

Maryland Emergency Management Agency

• Continuing to coordinate state resources that remain positioned around Maryland.
• Working to appropriately handle resource requests from local jurisdictions.
• Preparing to assist in damage assessments, coordinate recovery efforts, and request federal assistance in order to expedite restoration of impacted communities.

BWI Marshall Airport

• Airline flights are arriving and departing. Airlines will continue to gradually resume regular schedules today. Please contact airlines for updated flight status information.

Motor Vehicle Administration

• The MVA is open for business. Be aware MVA has reduced parking. Skip the trip and complete the transaction online at www.mva.maryland.gov. Driving Skills Test is not available at all branches. Please check the website before you leave home. Citizens scheduled to have a vehicle emissions test done by January 27, 2016, can apply for an initial extension at www.mva.maryland.gov/online-services/.

Port of Baltimore

• The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore is open for cargo and cruise ships.

Public Service Commission

• As of this morning, there are approximately 127 customers without power. Utility crews are working diligently to restore power.

Department of Human Resources

• The Maryland Unites hotline, 1-888-756-7836, is available for inquiries relating to Department of Human Resources services including emergency shelter information and other human service needs during the storm.