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MEDIA CONTACT:
Marylou Berg, Communication Manager, 240-314-8105
Rockville Prepares for Effects of Major Storm
Crews on Standby to Plow as City Declares Snow Emergency
Rockville, Md., March 5 – Rockville officials are preparing for the effects of the major storm that is expected to hit the Washington region tonight through Thursday morning.
Department of Public Works crews have already pre-treated major roadways in Rockville, and are on standby to treat and plow roads as needed. The City has declared a snow emergency for Rockville and issued the following instructions for residents:
Residents should remove all vehicles from roads, including neighborhood streets by 6 p.m. Tuesday. All vehicles should be parked in garages and driveways whenever possible.
Those without garages or driveways or with vehicles that do not fit in garages or driveways are asked to park on the even numbered side of the street. On courts or cul-de-sacs, park away from the bulb and on the left hand side of the street as one enters the court or cul-de sac.
During this week’s snowstorm, residents are reminded of the snow ordinance, which states:
“Even though the last couple of winters have seen little snowfall, most of our staff experienced the heavy snows of 2010 and other events, and we are prepared for this kind of snow event,” said Director of Public Works Craig Simoneau. “We are ready to get Rockville roads and facilities back to normal as soon as possible.”
Rockville’s refuse and recycling program will be collected on a normal collection schedule this week. Yard waste will not be collected on Wednesday and Thursday to focus staff efforts on snow removal.
Closures of all Rockville facilities will be determined late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. Please check the City’s website at www.rockvillemd.gov/weather/weather_closings for updates on facility closures and program cancellations. Updates on Rockville’s storm response, City programs and facilities and other information is available at www.rockvillemd.gov, on Rockville 11, on the City’s Facebook page. Residents can receive updates to be delivered on their smart phones or email account by signing up for Alert Rockville at www.rockvillemd.gov/connections.
Emegency Preparedness, Facility Closure Information
As City officials work to prepare for the storm, residents are asked to prepare themselves and their families. Comprehensive preparedness information is available at www.montgomerycountymd.gov.
If residents experience a power outage, call Pepco at 1-877-737-2662 or visit http://www.pepco.com/home/.
For residents who have a tree emergency, such as a tree blocking a roadway or driveway, please call 240-314-8700. If residents notice a tree touching a power line, please call Pepco at 1-877-737-2662. Residents are advised to stay clear of trees that are touching power lines.
If power outages occur at signalized intersections, residents are reminded that the intersection must be treated as a four-way stop. (Many Rockville traffic signals are supported by a back-up battery system, enabling them to operate even with the loss of Pepco power for several hours.)
Under the law, a driver approaching a non-functioning traffic control signal from any direction must stop before entering the crosswalk or intersection. If two vehicles approach an intersection with a non-functioning traffic control signal at the same time, the driver on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on his or her immediate right.
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 non-emergency items to the Rockville Police Department, call 240-314-8900.
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Rockville is considered one of the nation's leading small cities. Rockville reveres its roots, its commitment to citizen-centric public service, to the environment and to the connection of neighborhoods and residents. Rockville is a 13-square-mile city that is home to more than 62,000 residents, located less than 15 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., and is frequently recognized as one of the best places to live in the nation.
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