Special Snow Emergency Update #2  January 25, 2016

An Update from County Councilman Mel Franklin

January 25, 2016 | Volume 2, Special Edition #2

Prince George’s Rising is a countywide newsletter designed to empower communities with key information and issues of concern. It is my honor to serve you on the Prince George’s County Council. Over the last several years, including the immediate past two years as Chairman, I have worked with my colleagues on the Council to move our County forward. With your help, we are “Bringing the World to Prince George’s County.” For more information, please go to https://www.melfranklin.net or e-mail me at mel@melfranklin.net.

Prince George’s County Emergency Snow Update #2 – The Big Dig Continues (Thank You for Your Patience)

The majority of our region continues the process of digging out from this historic snow storm.  I know many of you are anxious to get back on the roads and on with the normal pace of your daily lives.  For your own safety, please be patient with our snow removal process.  If you do not need to be on our roads today for emergency reasons, please remain off of the roads.  According to our Snow Information Center, as of 2PM today, primary roadways are approximately 95% passable.  Passable means conditions which would allow a passenger vehicle to negotiate the travel path using reasonable care.   Plows are moving into residential areas right now; it is estimated that 35% of our residential roads are passable.  So, there is quite a bit more work to be done on our residential roads, but progress is on the way.  PGCPS has just announced that it will be closed on Tuesday.  The County received nearly 2 feet of snow.  And, since Friday, over 300 vehicles have been working around the clock to remove this unprecedented snowfall.  As a reminder, please park only on the even side of the road and don’t abandon vehicles in the roadway.

Problems with the Prince George’s County Online Snow Removal Request Process Corrected

As Prince George’s County continues its snow recovery process, the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) and the Prince George’s County 311 call center discovered a technical problem with the County’s online snow removal request form and plow tracking system.

The Prince George’s County Office of Information Technology has corrected this problem. Residents who want to submit online snow removal request forms should go to http://countyclick.princegeorgescountymd.gov/ and click on “Submit Request for Snow Removal” at the top of page.  Citizens only need to provide their email address and the location that needs plowing. The snow removal request type is already pre-populated on this form.

Residents can also submit snow removal requests by calling 3-1-1 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or to the Snow Information Center at 301-350-0500.  Prince George’s County has requested for residents to be patient and to wait 48 hours after the storm has stopped, which is approximately at midnight tonight, Tuesday, January 26, 2016.

Unfortunately, the plow tracking map continues to be unavailable.  As an alternative, The Department of Public Works and Transportation is advising residents that they can visit http://www.pgctrip.com/ to view County traffic cameras and updated information.

**Please Help A Neighbor**

A number of our neighbors are physically challenged in doing their own snow removal.  If you have vulnerable residents in your neighborhood who are in need of removing snow from their property, please lend a helping hand.  We are all in this together!

More Important Information:

More info about county services and resources from the County Office of Emergency Management: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Emergency-Alerts/Pages/operating-status.aspx.

Updates from the National Weather Service: http://www.weather.gov/.

Sign-up for emergency text alerts from the County: https://member.everbridge.net/index/1332612387832015#/signup.

Pepco: 1-877-737-2662. Report outages by calling 1-877-PEPCO62 (1-877-737-2662 FREE), visiting www.pepco.com or through our mobile app, available for download at pepco.com/mobile app.    Customers can find additional tips on preparing for a storm on our website, www.pepco.com.

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E): 1-877-778-2222 FREE or 1-800-685-0123 FREE or go to www.bge.com.

SMECO: 1-877-747-6326 FREE or 1-888-440-3311 FREE or go to www.smeco.coop.

Washington Gas: 1-800-752-7520 FREE. Should you experience an interruption in gas service, please call Washington Gas Customer Service at (703) 750-1000 or go to www.washgas.com/

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC): 1-800-828-4002 FREE. Should customers encounter water service issues during the storm they should call our Emergency Call Center at 301-206-4002 or email EmergencyCallCenter@wsscwater.com. More info: www.wsscwater.com.

Metro (WMATA): For info about Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess affecting the National Capital Region, go to: www.wmata.com.