County Provides Update and Remains Closed

Frederick County is working to recover from this weekend’s historic snow storm by focusing snow removal based on long-established priorities. Snow removal is a dynamic process that takes into consideration emergency and life safety incidents, vehicles buried in the snow, and weather conditions including road and air temperatures and wind.

Road crews will continue to plow and clear roads until 10:00 p.m. or later this evening. Because temperatures are higher, snow can still be pushed and salt and chemicals can be applied to the roads. This was not the case the prior evening when temperatures were much colder and less progress could be made on frozen roadways.

Crews are working diligently on three tiers of snow removal when they are not assisting law enforcement, fire/rescue and emergency medical responses. The initial goal is to establish a single passable lane on all roads, and then to work back through the priorities to widen the roads to normal lane width.

Frederick County Government offices and facilities, including the landfill and libraries, will be closed on Monday, January 25, 2016, due to dangerous road conditions.

County Executive Jan Gardner urges residents to stay off roads, as conditions are hazardous. She also urges businesses to close out of concern for the safety of their employees.

By authority of Judges Julie R. Stevenson Solt and O. John Cejka, Jr., Frederick County Circuit and District Courts will be closed on Monday, January 25, 2016.

Frederick County Public Schools had already announced they will be closed on Monday.

The county’s Local State of Emergency is still in effect, and citizens should refrain from non-emergency related travel. Progress is being made on clearing primary roads, but many secondary, side and neighborhood roads will still be hazardous tomorrow. Overnight icing is expected to occur, as well.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced this evening that Maryland State Government offices will be closed on Monday as the winter storm cleanup continues. Emergency essential personnel should report as scheduled. Governor Hogan said,

“I want to thank the citizens of Maryland for heeding our call to be patient and to be safe by staying off the roads. I must ask that Marylanders continue to be patient as the cleanup and recovery continues,’ said Hogan. ‘Tomorrow morning conditions will be icy and dangerous. By closing state offices tomorrow, crews can carry on with their work to clear state roads.”

For additional information and updates, stay tuned to local radio and televisions stations or visit the Frederick County Government website at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov and social media sites.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications from the Frederick County Division of Emergency Management at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ALERT.