Baltimore Mayor Asks Residents To Be Patient, Stay Off Roads

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is asking residents to stay inside and off the roads and be patient as officials clear record-breaking amounts of snow from the city's streets.

Rawlings-Blake said at a news conference Sunday that with two and a half feet of snow, it will take time for the city to clear roadways. She urged residents to stay indoors and off the roads, unless they travel on foot.

Due to continued cleanup Baltimore City goverment offices will be closed for non-essential employees.

"Given the condition of many of our streets, I believe it is safest for all citizens to minimize the traffic on roads," Mayor Rawlings-Blake said. "I strongly encourage businesses to use common sense and do the same. Allow us to proceed with snow removal operations."

Rawlings-Blake says the city remains under a Phase II and urges motorist  to stay off the streets so crews as work to clear the snow.