Md. Crews Ready For Another Round Of Snow
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Significant snowfall is on the way. Crews all over the state have been working to make sure the equipment is in place to clear and treat roads.
Rick Ritter reports salt trucks are loading up for a long morning.
It's deja vu across the region. Maryland gears up for yet another storm, as Mother Nature's brutal winter continues to hit hard.
"It's probably one of the coldest winters in about ten years," said Bruce Gacii.
With Thursday's storm packing ice and snow, it's a line of trucks on deck for State Highway.
"If it is as much accumulation as we're predicting, it will probably be more plowing than salting," said Valerie Burnette Edgar, Maryland State Highway Administration.
In the state's capital, crews hit the road at midnight.
"The weather has really been a challenge in the city of Annapolis," said Rhonda Wardlaw, city spokesperson, Annapolis. "We still have about 250 tons of salt."
For Baltimore City, trucks will plow continuously.
"We plan to attack this storm aggressively as we always do," said William Johnson, Baltimore City Department of Transportation.
In White Marsh, salt and plow trucks are gearing up for what they expect to be an all day event on the roadways.
Green Scapes Unlimited breaks their crews into 12 hour shifts.
"As far as the ice and the frigid temperatures, it's been brutal," said Austin Albrecht, Green Scapes Unlimited.
They're hoping for strictly snow.
Ritter: "Some say they'd rather have two feet of snow then ice. You guys feel that way, too?"
Albrecht: "Absolutely. The snow is much easier to contend with."
Maryland State Police urge drivers to stay home and avoid a chaotic scene like last storm.
"If there's a high volume of traffic out there, traffic doesn't move. If traffic doesn't move, the snow plows can't clear the roadways," said Sgt. Marc Black, Maryland State Police.
Over in Carroll County, crews brace for the worst in a season where salt is a shortage for some.
"We actually have enough to get through this event, and then, after that, we're going to be challenged a little bit," said Carroll County Commissioner Stephen Wantz.
Dangerous conditions, in what's expected to be the most powerful storm of the season.
Amtrak service will operate on a modified schedule Thursday. If you're driving, watch for slick spots. Leave early, give yourself more time and avoid leaving during rush hour when the storm is supposed to be at its peak.
WJZ will be on the air early Thursday morning at 4:30 a.m. Our First Warning Weather team will get you through the storm with the latest forecasts, closings and road conditions.
