Residents urged to prepare for the winter season ahead by assembling emergency supply kits for both their homes and vehicles

BALTIMORE, MD (November 8, 2024) – Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott was joined by Baltimore City Department of Transportation Director Corren Johnson along with officials from the Baltimore City Departments of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, General Services, BCIT, Fire, Health, Housing and Community Development, the Office of Emergency Management, the Office of Homeless Services and the Baltimore Police Department to announce that the City of Baltimore is fully prepared for the upcoming 2024-2025 snow season. 

“Under the leadership of Transportation Director Corren Johnson, we have thoroughly examined our snow operations to ensure that we are fully prepared for the winter season ahead,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott.  “Our snow crews are committed to keeping city streets safe this winter, no matter what Mother Nature has in store.”

The City of Baltimore’s Snow Team is comprised of personnel from the Departments of Transportation, Public Works, Recreation and Parks and General Services.  With a budget of nearly $6.8 million, the City’s snow removal efforts include 294 pieces of equipment and over 300 contractor apparatuses for efficient operations.  The city is fully stocked with over 15,000 tons of salt and equipped with a 36,000-gallon salt brine capacity for pretreating city gateways. 

During a winter storm, the Office of Emergency Management, along with the Health Department, Housing and Community Development, BCIT, Fire, the Baltimore Police Department and the Office of Homeless Services work closely with the city’s snow team to help keep residents safe.

“As the days grow shorter and temperatures begin to drop, now is the time for residents to prepare for winter storms,” said Director Johnson.  “The winter season always brings unpredictable weather and keeping city streets safe and passable is our highest priority.”

For the city’s snow removal efforts to be successful, residents must also prepare for the winter season ahead.  Residents should act now to assemble emergency supply kits for both their homes and vehicles.  During winter storms, residents are advised to remain at home and refrain from driving unless absolutely necessary.  This will help our snow team to treat city streets more efficiently, because any vehicles that become disabled will obstruct the movement of plow trucks and hinder removal efforts.  

During inclement weather, residents who must travel should be well prepared by making sure their vehicles are properly maintained and learning the three phases of the city’s Snow Emergency Plan.  Motorists should check to see if any phases of the plan are in effect, as parking may be affected along designated snow emergency routes.  Drivers are also urged to “take it slow in ice and snow” because of reduced visibility and possible slippery conditions. 

Residents should tune into local news stations and sign up for weather alerts and notifications during the winter season ahead.  The city’s snow page at snow.baltimorecity.gov is also a great resource for updated information during the winter season.

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