MCPS Schools Opening Two Hours Late Today, Fri. Jan 8, 2010

From >Montgomery County Public Schools:

Montgomery County Public Schools will open two hours late today (Jan. 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 are open on time. Day care programs in school buildings will remain open as scheduled.

Another Winter Weather Advisory Tonight Through Friday Morning

Expect more snow for Rockville and surrounding areas tonight (Thursday) and into the morning, if officials are correct.>According to the National Weather Service, there is a winter weather advisory for Montgomery County from 10pm tonight until 10am Friday.

Officials expect 1-3″ of snow overnight and into the Friday rush hour — the heaviest accumulation between 3am and 7am.

An “advisory” is issued when conditions are expected to affect travel, and given the timing of this one (Friday rush hour) that seems likely.

We’ll let you know if MCPS closes but given that it’s a Friday I would not bet that my kids will be going to school!

Yes You Need To Shovel The Sidewalk

Now that the >Blizzard of 2009 has past, and the snowplows have done their thing, many are wondering whether they really, really, need to shovel their sidewalks — many of which are covered over with plowed goo.

This from the City of Rockville’s inclement weather page:

The City would like to remind you that its snow ordinance requires that snow be removed from sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas for public use (including access ramps and curbs) within 24 hours after a snow fall of three inches or less, and within 48 hours after a snowfall of more than three inches. Clearing paved areas provide a safe, unobstructed, passable path 36 inches wide. Ice must be removed or treated within 24 hours, and surfaces must be treated to prevent re-freezing. Violators may be fined $100 per occurrence.

So, the answer appears to be yes. Having almost slammed into a number of night-walking pedestrians in my neighborhood, cleared sidewalks are very important for overall safety. So, while it’s a pain to remove all that frozen slush, it’s best for all.

I’ve got an 18″ path cleared on part of a sidewalk in front of my house — I’d better get out there and widen it!

Share Your Blizzard Stories Here!

Dear >Rockville Central readers:

As this gets posted, we are in the middle of what appears to be the record-settingest snowfall for December ever in the region. Metro has closed all above-ground stations, RideOn buses are ceasing running in a few hours. It’s an official blizzard out there! We hope that most of you are nestled snug in your homes and taking it easy. Our sympathies to all those who have to go out today, for work or other important things. Stay safe, take it slow, leave room between you and the cars around you. And . . . most important . . . clear off your vehicle fully before hitting the road. Visibility is bad enough without having to peer through a tiny gap in the snow.

But with all the down time can come some reflection, fun times, and good, clear thinking.

We’d like to invite the Rockville Central readership to share any stories you want in the comments section of this post — from a touching moment to a harrowing escape, and everything in between.

I’ll start. I’ve already shoveled twice and I expect to shovel at least twice more before the day is out. I have had two important errands that took me out onto the roads, where I saw numerous people stuck. But right now, I’ve got a really nice fire going and I’m doing something I love: connecting online with my Rockville friends. And, to add to my joy, my son wants to help shovel my dad’s walk later.

How about you? What are you doing? What are you thinking about? Let us know!

SNOW EMERGENCY DECLARED IN ROCKVILLE — Begins Friday, Dec. 18 at Midnight

>This from the City of Rockville’s alert service:

Rockville City Manager Scott Ullery declared a snow emergency that will go into effect Friday, Dec. 18, at midnight, giving residents notice that they must move their vehicles off of neighborhood roads where possible or to the designated side of the street to allow Department of Public Works crews to more easily plow snow. The current forecast calls for a significant snow accumulation.

Rockville’s snow emergency plan is geared specifically toward helping clear residential streets. Most jurisdictions that have snow emergency plans apply those plans to major streets. After the City Manager declares a snow emergency, residents are requested to park their cars in available garages or driveways on their properties. When that is not possible, residents are required to park only on sides of the street with even house numbers. Once that lane and the main part of the street are cleared, cars must be moved to the cleared curb (odd-numbered side). Violators may be ticketed or towed. When both sides of the street are cleared, cars can be parked in regular spaces.

Conditions leading to a “snow emergency” are significant, deep snow, or forecast for such conditions.

The “snow emergency” ordinance states:

• • Residents with driveways must park all vehicles there.
  • Residents without driveways, or who have more vehicles than will fit in the driveway, may park on the even-numbered side of the street only.
  • In courts or cul-de-sacs, where house numbers are not even on one side of the street and odd on the other, parking is allowed only on the left side of the streets as one enters the cul-de-sac or court.
  • No parking is allowed in the “bulb” of the cul-de-sac or court.
  • After the snowfall ends and the odd-numbered side of the street is cleared, vehicles must be moved to the odd-numbered side to allow plows to clear the even-numbered side.
  • The City may remove or impound cars improperly parked.
  • A fine of $100 for a “snow emergency” parking violation may be incurred.

For more information about the policy, contact the Public Works Department at 240-314-8566.

In addition to the parking restrictions, residents are reminded of the Snow Ordinance, which requires that snow must be removed from all sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and the paved right-of-way sidewalk immediately fronting or abutting a property. This includes access ramps and curb cuts designed for use by people with disabilities.

Snow and ice removal must occur within 48 hours if it is more than three inches. Call 240-314-8330 for more information.

For more information, go to www.rockvillemd.gov and click on Inclement Weather under Top Stories.

Snowstorm Likely This Weekend; Five Inches Possible

>This from Rockville’s weather alert service December 17, 2:10 pm:

Significant Winter Storm likely this weekend with over 5″ of snowfall possible!

The National Weather Service has issued a WINTER STORM WATCH for Montgomery County from Friday Evening through Saturday Evening. A strong low pressure system is developing over the Gulf of Mexico and this system is expected to move through the region Saturday bringing widespread snowfall to the area.

For the snow lovers this is your storm with an all snow event anticipated. Residents should begin Winter Storm preparations which should consider the potential of significant (5+in) snow accumulations within the next 48 hours. Please remain alert for the issuance of additional warnings which will likely be issued within the next 12-18 hrs.

A winter storm watch is issued when there is the potential for significant snowfall and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours.

Rockville Declares Snow Emergency

>This from the City’s public information department:

Rockville City Manager Scott Ullery declared a snow emergency as of 11 a.m. Monday, March 2, giving residents notice that they must move their vehicles off of neighborhood roads where possible or to the designated side of the street to allow Department of Public Works crews to more easily plow snow.

Rockville’s snow emergency plan is geared specifically toward helping clear residential streets. Most jurisdictions that have snow emergency plans apply those plans to major streets. After the City Manager declares a snow emergency, residents are requested to park their cars in available garages or driveways on their properties. When that is not possible, residents are required to park only on sides of the street with even house numbers. Once that lane and the main part of the street are cleared, cars must be moved to the cleared curb (odd-numbered side). Violators may be ticketed or towed. When both sides of the street are cleared, cars can be parked in regular spaces.

Conditions leading to a “snow emergency” are significant, deep snow. If the City Manager has declared a “snow emergency,” the status will be announced through local media, via the City’s Web (www.rockvillemd.gov) and on Rockville Channel 11.

The “snow emergency” ordinance states:

• Residents with driveways must park all vehicles there.
• Residents without driveways, or who have more vehicles than will fit in the driveway, may park on the even-numbered side of the street only.
• In courts or cul-de-sacs, where house numbers are not even on one side of the street and odd on the other, parking is allowed only on the left side of the streets as one enters the cul-de-sac or court.
• No parking is allowed in the “bulb” of the cul-de-sac or court.
• After the snowfall ends and the odd-numbered side of the street is cleared, vehicles must be moved to the odd-numbered side to allow plows to clear the even-numbered side.
• The City may remove or impound cars improperly parked.
• A fine of $100 for a “snow emergency” parking violation may be incurred.

For more information about the policy, call the Public Works Department at 240-314-8566.

In addition to the parking restrictions, residents are reminded of the Snow Ordinance, which requires that snow must be removed from all sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and the paved right-of-way sidewalk immediately fronting or abutting a property. This includes access ramps and curb cuts designed for use by people with disabilities.

Snow and ice removal must occur within 48 hours if it is more than 3 inches. Call 240-314-8330 for more information.

Due to the inclement weather, some City facilities have closed and some programs have been canceled. The information below details those closures and cancellations as of 10:30 a.m.

• Parking meter enforcement is suspended for the day.
• The Rockville Municipal Swim Center will open at 11 a.m., but all classes scheduled for today have been canceled. A decision regarding swim team practices will be made by 2 p.m. Call 240-314-8750.
• The Thomas Farm Community Center, Lincoln Park Community Center and Twinbrook Community Recreation Center are open. Classes and programs at all centers have been canceled for the day.
• The Rockville Senior Center is open from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for drop-in use only. All classes and programs are canceled for the day. There will be no transportation to and from the center and lunch is canceled.
• All recreation class programs and sports programs have been canceled.
• All preschool and childcare programs in Montgomery County Public Schools are canceled, as are all city activities in Montgomery County Public Schools.
• The climbing gym is closed.
• The F. Scott Fitzgerald Box Office is closed on Mondays.
• The Croydon Creek Nature Center is closed on Mondays.
• Recycling and refuse is being collected as scheduled. Yard waste will not be collected today; instead it will be collected on the next regularly scheduled collection day.

Schools Delayed Today (Jan. 29, 2009)

One more time!>

Due to the ice and such, school is delayed two hours today, according to Montgomery County Public Schools:

Montgomery County Public Schools will open two hours late on Thursday, Jan. 29, due to emergency weather conditions. Bus service will be provided on a two-hour-delayed schedule. Morning prekindergarten, morning half-day Head Start, other 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.

Schools Closed Today (Jan. 28, 2009)

You can put down the sandwich you are making, because the >schools are closed again, due to the winter weather we’re witnessing.

Don’t take my word for it. Here is MCPS:

Montgomery County Public Schools are closed today, Jan. 28, due to emergency weather conditions. All school and community activities in school buildings also are canceled. All administrative offices will open two hours late. Day care programs in school buildings will also open two hours late today.

The weather folks are predicting a fine day tomorrow, so hold out.

Schools Closed Today (Jan. 27, 2009)

This from >Montgomery County Public Schools:

Montgomery County Public Schools are closed today [1/27/2009] due to emergency weather conditions. All school and community activities in school buildings also are canceled. All administrative offices are open. Day care programs in school buildings will remain open as scheduled.

After yesterday’s scheduled day off, I know there are some disappointed parents!