Preparations Underway For Historic Winter Storm In Maryland

BALTIMORE (WJZ)  — A major winter storm is taking aim at Maryland. A Blizzard Warning is set to go into effect and a State of Emergency has been issued. Several schools are already closed Friday.

Salt trucks are out pre-treating the roads, preparing for possible double-digit snowfall.

Rick Ritter with more on how the state is gearing up.

Roadways are expected to be treacherous. Trucks in Canton continue to load up with salt throughout the night.

Governor Hogan wasted no time declaring a State of Emergency. He says the National Guard will be on standby for what's expected to be a crippling storm.

"Our state is taking every precaution - coordinating all available resources - to prepare to clear roads, manage incidents, and recover from this storm," said Governor Hogan. "We urge all Marylanders to take action now to prepare, before this severe weather strikes, with the knowledge that our state will do everything it can to respond quickly, effectively and efficiently to this major storm event."

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It's a scene you can expect to see for the next 72 hours--no shortage of salt, a close eye on the maps and roadways being monitored--as Maryland hunkers down for a hard-hitting storm.

"Scary. Be prepared, folks," said Ken Merson.

Satellite images of the system from NASA are jaw-dropping. The governor's warning is an eye opener for some.

"This is predicted to be the worst storm our state has seen since Snowmageddon," the governor said.

Thursday night, mountain-high piles of salt are constantly replenished in Canton, as truck drivers like Mike Scherzo make their rounds.

"It's definitely nonstop. We'll just keep running," said Scherzo, with Camz Corp Trucking.

Just a glimpse of what's to come.

"Especially after the storm. This place will be hopping with trucks," said Scherzo.

Amtrak will operate on a modified schedule in the Northeast throughout the weekend, while MARC already canceled its services for Saturday.

Some, like James Reutter, are scrambling with both trains and flights.

"We're having problems getting a train out there and we're a bit worried we'll be stuck there and won't get back to England in time," said Reutter.

BWI expects a wide impact on flying, urging weekend travelers to exchange their tickets over what's shaping up to be an historic weekend.

Highway crews are certainly on top of salting, but admit their work might not be effective at all until the storm ends.