A Perfect Storm: Virginia, Maryland Declare State Of Emergency – With Video
Feb 5, 2010 13 Comments ›› Erik Wong
The District, Maryland and Virginia are under snow emergencies as heavy snow races toward the Washington region.
The closing and cancellations have already been made in advance of the winter storm, which is expected to pound the area through Saturday. The National Weather Service has upgraded a winter storm watch to a winter storm warning to 10 p.m. Saturday.
So how bad will it be? NBC4 chief meteorologist Bob Ryan said this storm could be a lot like the December storm that dropped up to 2 feet of snow in some parts of the D.C. region. The initial estimates from the National Weather Service start at 16 inches and go to 24 inches. The NWS has since increased those estimates to 20 to 30 inches, with localized amounts exceeding 30 inches.
NBC4 meteorologist Tom Kierein said snow started at about 9:30 a.m. in parts of the D.C. region. The snow started at about 10:30 a.m. in northwest Washington.
Good Luck Flying Out of DC in Storm
Ryan said there could be 3-5 inches on the ground by sunset Friday. And then the snowfall will get heavy. Ryan said snow could fall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches an hour from 11 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. There could be 10-15 inches on the ground by dawn Saturday.
An additional 4-8 inches are likely throughout the day Saturday, Kierein said, making totals around the area between 18-24 inches. There may be some higher amounts around the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Whatever amount of snow we receive should last quite a while, as the storm will be followed by the coldest air of the season. The cold wave could last for nearly a week following the storm, so the snow won’t melt anytime soon.
Because of the severe winter weather, the federal government will be open Friday operating under an unscheduled leave policy with a planned four-hour early dismissal. Employees reporting for work should be dismissed by their agencies four hours earlier than their normal departure time from work.
The District government closed at 2 p.m. Friday. All D.C. government agencies will be closed Saturday, but essential personnel will still have to report.
Metro announced that if snow accumulations are 8 inches or higher, above-ground service will be suspended. Metro will then operate below ground service only.
The District’s snow emergency means residents must immediately relocate any vehicles parked on snow emergency routes. During a snow emergency, clearing and salting efforts focus first on major roads, commuter thoroughfares and designated snow emergency routes.
What are the snow emergency routes, you ask? Here is the complete list.
What’s the policy? If your vehicle is not moved off the snow emergency route, DPW will tow the vehicle to a pre-determined lot. DPW will no longer relocate the vehicle in the local neighborhood. The resident will incur a $250 fine for parking on a snow emergency route during a declared snow emergency, a $100 towing fee and a $25 impound fee (this fee will double after 48 hours and then increase by $25 every 24 hours thereafter).
So move those cars!
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley issued a declaration of emergency just before noon Friday. O’Malley urged residents to avoid driving except for the most urgent reasons. The governor also ordered a liberal leave policy for all state employees, effective at noon Friday.
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell declared a state of emergency Wednesday in advance of the storm.
