Snow Emergency Declared; Free Parking in County Lots, Garages

Snow Emergency Declared Beginning at Midnight

A Snow Emergency for Montgomery County has been declared beginning at midnight tonight. With freezing rain and heavy snow expected through tomorrow, county officials urge residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. 

The declaration means that parking is prohibited along routes signed and marked as a “Snow Emergency Route.” Vehicles parked on emergency routes will be ticketed and towed. During a snow emergency, vehicles on the road must have all-weather or snow tires or chains. Residents are asked to move vehicles off-street if at all possible so snowplows can remove snow more efficiently.

Taxicabs operating in Montgomery County during declared snow emergencies are allowed to charge $2.50 extra per trip.

Free Parking in County-Owned Lots and Garages

All county parking lots and garages will offer free parking beginning at midnight tonight through Monday.

311 Call Center to Open at 10 p.m. and Remain Open All Night

Due to the worsening weather forecast, the Montgomery County 311 Call Center will open at 10 p.m. tonight and remain open all night and through the day Monday. Residents can report issues associated with the storm, such as downed trees, by calling 311 or 240-777-0311, or visiting the website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/311.The TTY number is 301-251-4850.

Follow Snow Plow Progress

An online map of Montgomery County indicates the progress of snowplows in clearing roads. Plows first clear emergency routes, Ride On bus routes, and main roads. Only once the snow ends and major roads are passable do plows begin clearing operations in neighborhoods. With the sub-freezing temperatures and amount of snow and ice anticipated from the impending storm, it may take crews about 60 hours to complete plowing. 

Crews clear major roads to bare pavement. Neighborhood streets are made passable. Numbered roads are State roads and are cleared by the Maryland State Highway Administration. 

Sign Up for Alert Montgomery; Follow County on Social Media 

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 at alert.montgomerycountymd.gov.

The latest information about closings, delays and other snow-related updates is also available on the County’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/snow. Or, follow the county on Facebook or Twitter using #mocostorm.

Power Outages or Water Issues

In case of power outages or water issues, contact:

*BG&E 877-778-2222

*First Energy/Potomac Edison 1-888-544-4877

*PEPCO 1-877-737-2662

• WSSC 301-206-4002 or EmergencyCallCenter@wsscwater.com