Winter Weather Update

Dear Residents,

I woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of sleet on my windows. This morning, there is a crusty snow covering everything, but thankfully it’s not too deep. While the sleet/freezing rain mix kept the snow totals down, it made streets, sidewalks and steps very slippery. Please be careful!

The Federal Government is opening with a three hour delay, and Montgomery County Government and Schools are closed today. City of Takoma Park offices and facilities will open at noon today. Tuesday’s trash, recycling and food waste collections will be delayed until Wednesday. We’ll try to collect both Tuesday and Wednesday’s routes on Wednesday.

There will be some other reductions in services; for example, there will be no Passport services today and a number of children’s and senior programs are canceled when the Montgomery County Public Schools are closed. Please call ahead or check the City’s website for information on particular programs.

Overnight, City crews tried to clear streets but the temperatures and the freezing rain made things difficult. The crews are making better progress on the streets this morning, but the streets remain slippery. Please drive with care! Crews are coming in this morning to clear sidewalks around City facilities.

It is important that you clear your sidewalks today. The new City law requires clearing of the sidewalks by noon when it snows overnight and by 9 pm when it snows during the day. Please clear your sidewalks by 9 pm today. Businesses are to keep their sidewalks clear all day long.

On a practical note, it will be easier to shovel today than tomorrow, because the temperatures will warm a bit this afternoon but there will be a hard freeze tonight.

Winds will be picking up through the day and overnight. Wind, heavy snow and ice may mean power outages. Make sure you have your emergency supplies at hand.

As we go through the next day, please remember to report problems. For emergencies, call 911. For urgent matters, such as a slippery road, call 301-270-1100 so that Police or Public Works staffs can be sent to address the problem.

Please feel free to email me with concerns that aren’t emergencies or urgent matters. Also, please share compliments of staff or stories of great neighbors helping each other. I love to pass along the good news!

For me, I am happy that my son is home from college for Spring Break and can do the shoveling around the house!

Stay warm and smiling!

Suzanne Ludlow