City, County & State Officials Urge Safety Following Winter Storm

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh and other county and state officials are urging residents to stay off the roads while crews work to clear any snow or ice that may be on them Tuesday into Wednesday.

Authorities say there is a concern that the precipitation on the roads will refreeze overnight, creating problems on the roads.

Tuesday night temperatures will be well below 32 degrees. Crews have already been dispatched and the work is being done to clean up for overnight.

In Baltimore, hundreds of workers kept side walks and roads clear, but at least two cars weren't spared the wrath of the storm. A tree crushed a sedan in Fed Hill and another near East Cross Street.

"The good news is we've been spared," said Pugh. "The neighborhoods have been spared. The city has been spared."

But officials say you shouldn't let your guard down yet, as more snow showers are expected. And with the cold temperatures, refreezing and slippery roads are a major concern.

In Baltimore County, just hours after the storm, plows made it past main streets into neighborhoods.

"It is a very heavy type of snow, particularly after the snow plows come through a couple of times and kind of pushed it up against the cars," said David Seyler.

In Howard County, a day off work had an unexpected surprise for some.

"I think we got off easy. It seem like it's the 8 to 12 that I was hearing about," Trevor Donaldson said.

Carroll County saw as much as 8 inches.

"I only got four hours of sleep and we've been fighting the snow for a while," Dawson Wisner said.

As the temperatures started to fall Tuesday evening, the slick spots started to develop, and it was expected to get much worse overnight.

"You can let me lose in this weather at anytime, I am perfectly happy right now," August Vanderdonckt said.

While some enjoy the deep freeze, leaders across the region have a warning.

"We are prepared for this evening in terms of making sure that our streets are safe and that's what we want every individual in Baltimore to be concerned about, their safety, the freezing temperatures," Pugh said

With these subfreezing temps, AAA warns that drivers and even pedestrians will be at increased risk once they start to venture back out Wednesday, especially if they run into icy spots.

So everyone should slow down and pay attention.

Both state and local crews will be working through the night, but the State Highway Administration says even treated roads could be slippery.

"The event is not over," said director of Emergency Management David McMillan. "Use caution, be safe. We're still looking for that 1-4 inches of precipitation."

Some are still working through sleet and snow, and even though schools are closed and city workers have been relieved, the mayor is urging everyone to stay off the roads while crews work to clear them.

"This is not the kind of snow that people can go out and build snowmen. We won't see that today, but we do ask people to be cautious. This is serious." sayd Pugh.

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