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State Officials Urge Motorists To Stay Off Roads; Tuesday Commute Likely Treacherous

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A winter storm is rapidly getting worse across central Maryland. A large number of schools have already closed for Tuesday. Click here to see the up-to-date closings. Roads are already very treacherous in some places.

Christie Ileto has more.

83 north is a slushy mess, and motorists are being asked to stay off the road Monday night into tomorrow.

MEMA is operating at a level three.

"It's a pretty powerful storm. We don't know exactly what we'll be looking at in the morning," said Governor Larry Hogan. "Stay home. Use common sense; stay off the road so we can get out there and do our jobs."

Accidents are already being reported across the region.

Snowing and stranded---not the Monday Sandi Harrel expected to have.

"Worst time ever," she said. "I just went to pick up my daughter from Morgan."

The pair were heading home---until she realized her tire gave out in the middle of a snow storm.

"I saw it was disabled and almost coming off," she said.

Fast-falling flakes blanketed Baltimore's Beltway. At times, it was so heavy, it was hard to make out the lanes.

"It is absolutely horrible, I mean, sliding everywhere. It doesn't look that bad and I've driven in worse conditions visibly but it's like really, really slippery," said driver Cierra Burr.

The conditions are no better in Anne Arundel County. Sirens are the anthem on the snow-packed streets.

Snow emergency plans are in effect for the entire state; 2,500 plows and trucks are salting and sanding roads for the next 10 hours. Officials are asking you to stay out of their way.

"When drivers are on the road in hazardous conditions, the biggest problems we have are accidents. When we have accidents, we have roads and streets that are shut down and traffic backup," said William Johnson, BDOT.

And that means some stores closed early.

"I thought they'd be open until 7," said Anna Apicella.

Some businesses are running out of supplies.

"Everybody wanted to gas up because of the snow and we didn't anticipate it and we ran out of the regular," said gas station manager Kola Falobi.

Tips for being prepared and staying safe:

  • Keep devices charged so you will have a way follow weather forecasts and local emergency information.
  • Be cautious shoveling snow to avoid overexertion. Take frequent breaks and keep hydrated.
  • If you must travel, make sure to have a car chargers, kitty litter or sand for traction, and extra drinks and snacks in case you get stuck in traffic.
  • Let friends or family know of your travel route and expected arrival times.
  • Make sure pets are not kept outside without shelter in cold and snowy weather and be aware that salt and other ice melting materials may hurt animal's paws.
  • Dress in layers, taking care to keep your hands covered.
  • Know who to contact in the case of a power outage.
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