Ice Storm Preparations & Reminders

 

 
The Village’s Public Works staff is on-hand to address local road conditions in anticipation of this afternoon and evening’s ice event.  Forecasts are calling for a combination of sleet and freezing rain, therefore, managing the road conditions is particularly challenging.  Icy conditions can also weigh down tree branches and utility wires.
 
Residents are reminded that if they must travel in these conditions, please exercise extreme caution. As always the Village Communications Center and Police Department will remain staffed through the storm and are available to respond to emergencies.
 
This evening’s Board Meeting is being held as scheduled.  The Village office remains open through 5:00 p.m. with minimal staffing.
 
Parked Vehicles
Residents are asked to move vehicles off of Village roadways to provide ample space for our salt spreader trucks and to allow for the full width of the roadway to be treated.  If you do not have a driveway that can accommodate your vehicles, please attempt to park as close as possible to the curb. In past storms, the Village Public Works Department has observed numerous vehicles that were parked a distance from the curb, which impedes their ability to clear streets and can result in vehicle damage.
 
In the Event of a Power Outage
In the event of a power outage, the Village will be in contact with PEPCO to ensure power is restored as promptly as possible; however, power restoration may be hampered as weather conditions dictate. In anticipation of the storm, PEPCO has placed over 600 power restoration crew personnel on standby. Residents are reminded that if you lose power to contact PEPCO directly at (877) 737-2662 and the Village Communications Center at (301) 654-7300. Residents should not assume that PEPCO knows you do not have power—every household that loses power should contact both PEPCO and the Village, which also allows us to monitor the scope of the outage.  As always, the Village Hall is available for Village residents as a warming center and to charge electrical devices.
 
NEVER touch or drive over downed utility lines. All downed utility lines are to be treated as if they are live.
 
Sidewalk Clearing
Residents are responsible for clearing all snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of or abutting their property within the first forty-eight (48) hours after the cessation of falling snow. Residents who occupy corner lots are responsible for the sidewalk in front of and on the side of their property.  Residents abutting Connecticut Avenue and Brookville Road are not required to clear the sections of sidewalk abutting these roadways.