Post by Logan on Jan 21, 2016 23:50:08 GMT -6
Hogan declares state of emergency, schools close ahead of potentially historic blizzard
Facing forecasts of dangerous blizzard conditions likely to debilitate the region into next week, Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency starting Friday morning and urged Marylanders to take the storm seriously, as school systems canceled classes before seeing a snowflake.
Snowfall is forecast to start in earnest by the Friday evening commute, and is not expected to let up until as much as 2 feet accumulates some 36 hours later. Wind gusts up to 55 mph and snow accumulation at rates of as much as a few inches per hour are expected to make travel dangerous and nearly impossible until Sunday.
Highway crews were pre-treating roads and readying salt trucks and plows Thursday, but officials acknowledged that their efforts might be futile until the intense storm ends. Residents readied for a long period of captivity, clearing supermarket shelves and buying up shovels.
"Our first and main priority is keeping Marylanders safe," Hogan said at a news conference at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Reisterstown. "I want all Marylanders to know that their state is ready and working together to respond effectively."
Continued at www.baltimoresun.com/news/weather/weather-blog/bs-md-blizzard-preparation-20160121-story.html .
Facing forecasts of dangerous blizzard conditions likely to debilitate the region into next week, Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency starting Friday morning and urged Marylanders to take the storm seriously, as school systems canceled classes before seeing a snowflake.
Snowfall is forecast to start in earnest by the Friday evening commute, and is not expected to let up until as much as 2 feet accumulates some 36 hours later. Wind gusts up to 55 mph and snow accumulation at rates of as much as a few inches per hour are expected to make travel dangerous and nearly impossible until Sunday.
Highway crews were pre-treating roads and readying salt trucks and plows Thursday, but officials acknowledged that their efforts might be futile until the intense storm ends. Residents readied for a long period of captivity, clearing supermarket shelves and buying up shovels.
"Our first and main priority is keeping Marylanders safe," Hogan said at a news conference at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Reisterstown. "I want all Marylanders to know that their state is ready and working together to respond effectively."
Continued at www.baltimoresun.com/news/weather/weather-blog/bs-md-blizzard-preparation-20160121-story.html .