Rockville Prepares for Storm, Declares Snow Emergency

Rockville has declared a snow emergency as the city’s department of public works prepares for the effects of the major storm expected to strike the region Tuesday night.

City crews have already pre-treated major roadways and are on standby to treat and plow roads as needed, city officials said Tuesday. Closures will be determined late Tuesday or early Wednesday and will be posted on the city’s website.

In the meantime, Rockville residents have been asked to remove their vehicles from the roads by 6 p.m. Tuesday.  People who don’t have access to garages or driveways have been asked to park on the even numbered side of the street.  For courts or cul-de-sacs, residents have been asked to park on the left-hand side, away from the bulb.

A powerful storm system making its way to the Mid-Atlantic region spurred a winter storm warning for the Washington, DC-region through 3 a.m. Thursday.

In Rockville, snowfall was forecast to begin after 11 p.m. Tuesday, accumulating 2 to 4 inches overnight and picking up another 3 to 7 inches on Wednesday, according to NWS.

Under the city’s snow ordinance, residents must shovel an unobstructed 36-inch-wide path on publically used paved areas within 48 hours after snowfall of three to 10 inches; residents have 72 hours to shovel a path for snowfall of more than 10 inches.

Residents are reminded to call 911 in an emergency. If residents require emergency transport assistance, call the Fire and Rescue Service at 240-773-0027. To report nonemergency incidents to the Rockville Police Department, call 240-314-8900.