State Of Emergency Remains, Crews Clean Roads Following Blizzard

REISTERSTOWN, Md. (WJZ) -- A state of emergency remains in effect across Maryland after a record snowfall. The major cleanup effort is going to be just as big.

WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren on efforts statewide to recover from this record storm.

A state of emergency remains in effect across Maryland from this record-breaking, deadly storm.

"At this point in time, we're going to keep it in effect at least until we're able to release all the National Guard assets," said Russell Strickland, MEMA director.

"It could have been a lot worse. BGE, there were very few outages. I mean, it's disrupted things," said Rodd Morrill, Baltimore County.

Right now, many primary roads are in good shape, but hazards remain.

As crews clear shoulders, some smaller streets remain a mess and there have been several accidents.

"Whether it be Baltimore City, Hagerstown, Frederick--the larger cities or towns--their back streets are the problem," said Strickland.

Contractors clearing the snow can barely keep up with demand.

"Just overwhelming, really. It's record snow, so we're just going and plugging along and doing what we can, as fast as we can," said one plow driver.

The progress on some of the rural roads in Baltimore County is pretty good.

On Piney Grove Road, the pavement is bare. Although there is some snow and ice buildup on Long Necker Road, it's passable as well.

One man who drives a track loader says at one point, he was getting almost 100 calls an hour.

"If I had enough equipment, I could probably retire today. That's how bad. Everybody wants it," he said. "It's just out of hand."

And you couldn't see how covered the region is with snow from the ground. The view from space--NASA images show a white blanket over the mid-Atlantic.

The storm cleanup could cost more than $3 billion along the East Coast, and Maryland will ask for federal money to help.

"We're getting the guidance and the direction as to exactly what paperwork and bureaucracy we need to follow through that. We're in that process," Strickland said.

We've seen several deaths in Maryland--the latest reported in Prince George's County. A person's body was found in a parking lot by snow removal crews. They believe it was weather-related.