Montgomery County Public Schools will open two hours late on Tuesday, February 16, due to emergency weather conditions. Bus service will be provided on a two-hour-delayed schedule. Morning prekindergarten, morning half-day Head Start, other morning half-day programs and field trips are canceled. Other activities and programs that begin at 10:30 a.m. or earlier are canceled. Administrative offices will be open on time. Day care programs in school buildings will remain open as scheduled.

This one’s by Rockville Central friend Brenda Dunham. She says she took it right after the snow stopped. I like how the bird is looking at us. Thanks Brenda!

Trucks have plowed and salted primary roads and are now focusing on secondary streets. We appreciate your patience as we work to clear a passable lane through neighborhoods.

This snow is lighter and easier to manage. The City has been working around the clock on 12-hour shifts to clear roads and hired additional equipment to speed the effort along. Front-end loaders worked to open lanes on primary roads and create snow storage space. They have also been deployed to clear courts and cul-de-sacs.

Here’s the complete up-to-the-minute information from the City:

Shoveling
Residents are reminded that per the City’s snow ordinance they have 48 hours to clear sidewalks.

Facilities
City of Rockville facilities, with the exception of City Hall, the Gude Maintenance Facility and the Water Treatment Plant are closed until further notice.

Recycling and Refuse Pickup
Recycling and refuse collection has been suspended indefinitely as those crews have been reassigned to clear streets. When service is restored, crews will pick up overflow bags of trash. Do not bag overflow recyclables. Place them in a box, paper bag or blue bin.

Parking
Residents are asked to keep vehicles off roads so that crews can continue to clear roads. Cars can be parked in community center parking lots or in the three Town Center parking garages. Parking in garages is free through Monday, Feb. 15.

The City community centers are Thomas Farm Community Center, 700 Fallsgrove Drive; Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Parkway; Lincoln Park Community Center, 357 Frederick Ave.; Rockville Swim and Fitness Center, 355 Martins Lane; and Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive.

Residents are asked to not park along the streets in Town Center as those parking lanes are being used for temporary snow storage.

Report Felled Trees and Power Outages
City forestry crews are working to remove felled trees and branches. Felled trees should be reported to the City Tree Line at 240-314-5007. Residents without power should call Pepco at 1-877-737-2662. Residents who have been without power for several days are urged to re-report their outages.

Emergencies
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.

Assist Your Neighbors
Continue to check on neighbors, especially those who live alone, are elderly or disabled.

If residents are aware of someone with a disability or medical condition who needs assistance, they are asked to call the City Community Services Division at 240-314-8310.

If residents are aware of a shut-in senior citizen who needs assistance, they are asked to call the City’s emergency assistance phone line for seniors at 240-314-8810.

Montgomery County and the American Red Cross continue to operate a shelter at Richard Montgomery High School. For information about transportation to the shelter call 240-777-6000.

Roof Safety
Homeowners should not attempt to clear snow off their roof. Residents with flat roofs should watch for the warning signs of a potential roof collapse, such as a sagging or cracking ceiling; popping, cracking or creaking sounds; or doors and/or windows that can no longer be opened or closed. Residents should evacuate their home if they notice any of these warning signs, and call 911 if their roof collapses.

Help Clear Fire Hydrants
Residents can assist fire and rescue efforts by clearing fire hydrants of snow so they are visible, or marking them with broomsticks or flags.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Residents without power should be aware that using gas or charcoal grills, propane heaters and stoves, kerosene space heaters or generators indoors can be fatal. They are a source of carbon monoxide, which can build up indoors and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Avoid using outdoor grills indoors, to prevent the risk of a fire.

This one’s by our good friend Chas Hausheer. I love weather vanes seen starkly against the sky. Thanks Chas!

Photo by Angelin Donohue

Roald Schrack sent along this picture. The residents of 13 to 21 Farsta Court took matters into their own hands last Monday when their secondary street had not been plowed.

With some help from an underpowered snowblower, the eight of us cleared the street. The City came through on Tuesday morning and made it wider. We are all set to tackle it again tomorrow if needed. It was really inspiring to see everybody pitch in.

Across Rockville, people are talking about how neighbors have pulled together:

• In Horizon Hill, residents shoveled the street up to their neighbor’s door because he was a doctor and needed to go on duty.
• Here in the comments of Brad Rouke’s encouraging post, Pitch In And Be Prepared, Tim Wood said “Thanks to James Bisnett and Emmett Bisnett Maple Ave between 28/First Street and Reading Ave has been cleared since Saturday. Along with the sidewalk, multiple driveways, etc. Emmett deserves some neighbor award for all the work he’s done with his snowblower.”
• On my street, a car was stuck last weekend. A group of neighbors came out of their apartments to dig it out. The driver, Chris, shared his apartment address and repeatedly told the everyone if they ever needed any help, they should not hesitate to knock on his door.

Neighbors have been pulling together to get the job done. Sometimes while doing so, they are meeting each other for the first time.

Obviously this storm is beyond the scope of our regular preparation. All levels of government from state to city are having a tough time keeping the roads clear. Snow plow drivers have been working long shifts. With this current snowstorm laying approximately 15 inches on Rockville, we will all need to do more than usual.

Thanks to everyone for the inspiration. We’re going to need to dig down deep to make it through this one.

Today I found a bright orange sign in the shape of a fire hydrant on top of the snowpile. A path had been cleared to the hydrant from the side. The sign will notifiy drivers not to pile the snow on the hydrants during the cleanup from today’s storm. The big question is: where WILL they put all this snow?

If your hydrant is covered, get together with neighbors and dig it out. The home you save could be your own.

The National Weather Service has issued a BLIZZARD WARNING for Montgomery County until 7PM this Evening. Residents should prepare for very heavy snow and high winds during the next 12-18 hours. 12″ of snowfall possible with this storm.

This is a dangerous and potentially life threatening situation. Whiteout conditions are possible as visibility may be reduced to 1/4 mile or less for 3 or more hours. Blowing snow, and wind speeds over 35 miles per hour are expected which may cause snow drifts. If traveling outdoors, hypothermia and frostbite may occur within 30 minutes on any exposed skin

Travel may become extremely hazardous if not impossible. Residents should remain off the roads or use extreme caution during any travel.

This street had two downed limbs along it on Saturday, it was fairly dramatic. All clear, now!

The City of Rockville has completed plowing on all City-owned roads and will now return to primary roads in anticipation of the storm forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday. The City is bringing in additional equipment to assist with snow removal operations.

Residents who have not yet had their street plowed should call the Department of Public Works at 240-314-8500 to report the street name. All streets should now have at least one clear lane.

City forestry crews are working to remove felled trees and branches. Felled trees should be reported to the City Tree Line at 240-314-5007.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning that forecasts 10-20 inches of snow and high winds for Tuesday and Wednesday. All available personnel and equipment will work around the clock to deal with the effects of the storm.

Residents can help by staying off the roads, clearing snow from their properties and around their cars without shoveling into the street, and clearing a space around fire hydrants and storm drains.

Residents are asked to move cars off of roads as soon as possible and keep them off of the roads during the coming snowfall. Residents may move cars into City community center parking lots or the three Town Center parking garages. Parking fees are suspended in the three Town Center garages through Monday, Feb. 15.

The City community centers are Thomas Farm Community Center, 700 Fallsgrove Drive; Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Parkway; Lincoln Park Community Center, 357 Frederick Ave.; Rockville Swim and Fitness Center, 355 Martins Lane; and Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive.

All City facilities, with the exception of City Hall and the Maintenance Facility off Gude Drive, will close at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, and will remain closed until further notice.

Recycling and refuse collection has been suspended indefinitely as those crews have been reassigned to clear streets. When service is restored, crews will pick up additional bags of trash. Do not bag recyclables. Place them in a box, paper bag or blue bin.

If residents have placed recycling and refuse carts at the curb, please remove them from the street to help with snow removal operations.

If residents are aware of someone with a disability or medical condition who needs assistance, they are asked to call the City Community Services Division at 240-314-8310.

If residents are aware of a shut-in senior citizen who needs assistance, they are asked to call the City’s emergency assistance phone line for seniors at 240-314-8810.

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.

Visit the City’s Web site at www.rockvillemd.gov for the most up-to-date information.

Montgomery County Public Schools are closed Wednesday, February 10, Thursday, February 11 and Friday February 12, due to emergency weather conditions. All school activities and community activities in school buildings are canceled. A decision about administrative offices will be made at a later time.

Dr. Weast, my kids thank you.