Montgomery County Snow Operations Update

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 7, 2025

The region continues to dig out from the first significant snowfall in recent years and the County wants to ensure that residents have updated information on services and snow operations.

"The snow has stopped but the County's storm crews continue to plow residential streets, and we continue to recommend that residents drive cautiously and give our crews plenty of room to operate," said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. "This event was tricky because crews had to clear primary roads twice before moving on to residential streets."

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) crews began plowing and salting primary roads at the beginning of the storm and have started plowing and salting secondary roads and residential neighborhoods. Major snow-clearing operations will conclude overnight, although crews will continue to check areas and treat roads overnight and into tomorrow. The County Snow Portal allows residents to check County plowing operations and submit service requests for missed streets after plowing operations end.

MCDOT is responsible for clearing snow on 5,300 miles of County roads, including 1,608 emergency primary routes and 3,700 residential roads. Primary routes are kept clear as a priority for emergency vehicle access. The Maryland State Highway Administration is responsible for clearing all State roads in the County, including those designated by numbers.

Travel remains dangerous with freezing temperatures and active plow operations. MCDOT urges residents to stay off roadways unless travel is absolutely necessary. Those who must travel should reduce speed and carry a flashlight, food and water in the vehicle in case of an emergency.

County Ride On transit services are operating on a holiday schedule with reduced frequency. Some routes are experiencing weather-related delays and detours. Check the Ride On website for updates.

The snow emergency will end at 10 p.m. today, Tuesday, Jan. 7. The County declared a snow emergency at midnight on Saturday to allow residents to park for free at County garages, to restrict parking along emergency routes and to limit parking on residential streets during snow clearing. Parking fees and enforcement will resume in County garages at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

County residents are required by law to clear sidewalks in front of, in back of and alongside their properties within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm. The path must be wide enough to accommodate pedestrians and wheelchairs. The County encourages everyone to help seniors or others who may not be physically able to shovel. When shoveling, please keep snow clear from fire hydrants and make a point to shovel hydrants out with a three-foot diameter around the hydrant. Find more information at montgomerycountymd.gov/safesidewalks.

Health officials urge everyone to take precautions when shoveling. Snow shoveling can be dangerous and increase the risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest due to overexertion, especially for those not used to regular exercise. Residents should take precautions and take short breaks while shoveling or ask a neighbor to lend a hand.

County-provided trash and recycling collections are canceled on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Collections will resume on a sliding schedule, with Monday collections sliding to Wednesday, January 8. Friday collections will slide to Monday, January 13. The week of January 13 also will follow a slide schedule for the entire week, with the last pick-up on Saturday, January 18.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) are closed on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Because of the MCPS closure, Recreation programs are affected:

• All scheduled programs, classes and activities are canceled.
• Recreation, senior and aquatic centers are open for drop-in activities only.

Check the Recreation website for service updates.

During a period of extreme cold temperatures and snowy conditions, it is very important to check on neighbors, especially older adults and those living alone. Staff from the Department of Health and Human Services and community-based partners are reaching out to unhoused individuals and urging them to seek shelter. There are emergency shelters open. Residents concerned about the well-being of someone who is unhoused can call the 24-hour Homeless Information Line at 240-907-2688. Outreach partners will attempt to locate the individual and urge them to come indoors to a shelter. If someone is seeking shelter, call the Crisis Center at 240-777-4000.

Animals should not be left outside unattended. The Animal Services team are enforcing Executive Regulation 17-17, Anti-Cruelty Conditions for Dogs and Other Pets. If you see an animal left outside that appears to be in danger, call 301-279-8000.

The County's informational call center, MC311, is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can contact MC311 by calling 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311 or visiting their website at www.MC311.com.

Sign up for Montgomery County Alert Montgomery to receive emergency alerts, event updates, warnings and instructions delivered directly to your email or device.

For the latest snow-related updates, visit the County's Snow Information Portal and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X @MontgomeryCoMD.

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Release ID: 25-010
Media Contact: Mark Roper 2409621743
Categories: Snow

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