 Over the past week, Montgomery County has faced a challenging winter storm and a prolonged period of historic cold. While the snowfall was manageable, the sleet and ice that layered on top have slowed cleanup, made roads more hazardous, and made conditions tougher for residents and frontline workers. This storm has tested all of us. I appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to address all the issues.
I encourage you to read through this entire special edition of this newsletter for the latest information and updates on a variety of critical areas and communications.
Below are answers to some of the questions you’ve been asking:
I want to extend my gratitude to the County employees who have been working tirelessly under these challenging conditions to keep our community safe. This includes our emergency responders, transportation crews, and snowplow operators, Health and Human Services outreach teams working to shelter unhoused residents in the dangerous cold, MC 311 staff handling high call volumes, and County communicators keeping residents informed. I also want to recognize the municipal governments, nonprofits, faith organizations, community groups, volunteers, and elected officials at every level who have stepped up to help neighbors and strangers alike. They have delivered supplies, checked on older adults, and supported people who need assistance.
Snow removal, ice mitigation, and outreach efforts will continue in the days ahead, as temperatures remain below normal through early February. Crews are working as quickly and safely as possible, but progress can be slow when ice makes conditions unpredictable.
What continues to stand out is the compassion and kindness of our community. We’ve seen people look out for one another in meaningful ways during this difficult week. That spirit reflects who we are as a County. I’m grateful for it, and I ask residents for continued patience as we move through recovery together.
 Montgomery County has been under a snow emergency since Saturday evening, as crews work to remove snow and ice from roadways across the County. For updates, visit the Winter Storm Information Portal, where Montgomery County Department of Transportation posts updates.
Residents can check for the snow removal status of their street by entering their address. An estimate of when plowing will be done is shown at the bottom of the page.
When the plowing operation ends, it will be noted at the top of the snow portal. If you notice missed streets after the plowing operation ends, call MC 311 or 240-777-0311. The 311 call center is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also submit an online request at MC311.com.
The snow emergency, which affects parking restrictions,will be lifted on Thursday at 7 a.m. To give residents time to move their cars, parking enforcement in County garages will resume at 7 a.m. on Friday. As snow plowing operations continue, on-street parking restrictions will remain in place until Thursday, allowing for free covered garage parking and restricting on-street parking to the even side of the street. Due to the difficulty of removing cars from the iced-over snow, cars should not move to the odd-numbered side of the street until the snow emergency ends.
MCDOT crews have plowed and treated primary and emergency roadways and are now nearly complete in plowing residential streets. Plowing began at 4 a.m. early Sunday morning and will continue until all County streets are plowed.
Plowing is slower due to extremely cold temperatures freezing the snow. Emergency routes have had to be retreated, and snow hauled out of downtown areas of Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton overnight. Some areas of the County received up to 11.5 inches of snow and sleet.
Watch this video on how MCDOT crews complete this work.
 The Department of Housing and Community Affairs has extended requirements for County homeowners to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice through the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 27. Due to sustained freezing temperatures and regional shortages of salt and ice-melt, the County eased snow and ice removal requirements for sidewalks, allowing for 48 hours since the last snowfall in cases where surfaces are ice-packed and cannot be reasonably cleared.
Property owners must take all reasonable steps to clear snow/ice from sidewalks next to their property. Paths must be safe for pedestrians and wheelchair users. The Department of Housing and Community Affairs will begin responding to MC311 complaints about unshoveled sidewalks on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
 The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) urges residents to clear their driveways and sidewalks of snow before applying salt. When pavement temperatures drop below 15 degrees, salt does not melt ice.
Tips to be salt-wise during a winter storm:
- Watch for the re-freeze: Salt helps prevent ice, but heavy accumulations of snow make salt less effective.
- Use the right amount: 12 ounces of salt covers 10 sidewalk squares or a 20-foot driveway. After shoveling, apply salt sparingly to treat icy spots.
- Consider alternatives for traction: Use coffee grounds, cat litter, or bird seed. Avoid using sand because it clogs storm drains, harms streams, and harms the environment.
- Sweep and reuse: After the winter storm, sweep up leftover salt and store it for the next winter storm.
 The demand for water has increased sharply, with many people snowed in and extreme cold persisting day and night. As a result, WSSC Water is urging all of its customers across Montgomery and Prince George's County to only use water for essential purposes. They add that the water is safe to use and no boil order has been issued.
This request is in anticipation of an expected increase in water main breaks and leaks due to the frigid temperatures. Suggested behavior includes:
- Take shorter showers.
- Quickly turn off faucets from running at full force.
- Limit flushing toilets (do not flush after every use).
- Limit using washing machines and dishwashers.
Customers are also urged to immediately report any water surfacing or flowing down streets, sidewalks, or rights of way. Identifying and repairing hidden breaks as quickly as possible is critical to maintaining reliable water service to customers. Call 301-206-4002 or email reports of water breaks to emergencycallcenter@wsscwater.com.
 Throughout the storm, the Montgomery County Public Information Office coordinated with departments to provide timely and relevant updates to the public via social media, through traditional messaging, and hosted a media briefing Monday night.
To access our press releases or sign up for our weekly newsletter and have our updates delivered to you, visit the County News page and subscribe.
If you are experiencing homelessness or see someone without shelter, contact the Crisis Center at 240-777-4000 for assessment and connection to shelter and support. During extreme cold or other dangerous weather, if the situation appears to be a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately, as emergency responders can provide faster assistance.
Since the weekend, approximately 1,000 people have been helped by Services to End and Prevent Homelessness, part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services, and community partners. That includes more than 250 emergency beds that were made available and more than 100 families kept out of the cold during this snow event.
 You may have seen recent news reports about wastewater pumping operations tied to a damaged DC Water sewer main in the area of the Clara Barton Parkway and C & O National Historical Park. DC Water is currently using large pumps as part of a bypass system to divert wastewater away from the damaged section of pipe.
On behalf of DC Water, we are alerting residents whose wastewater flows into this damaged DC Water pipe that grease should never go down the drain, and wipes should never be flushed. These items are clogging the pumps at their repair site and creating problems for DC Water’s emergency operations.
These are the impacted zip codes and town name;
- 20812 Glen Echo
- 20818 Cabin John
- 20817 Bethesda
- 20854 Potomac
- 20850 Rockville
- 20878 Gaithersburg
- 20816 Bethesda
- 20852 Rockville
- 20877 Gaithersburg
Now more than ever: Can the Grease and Keep Wipes Out of the Pipes!
Learn more about the situation at https://www.dcwater.com/.
Thanks for being a great neighbor and doing your part!
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 Due to the recent snowstorm, County-provided curbside recycling and refuse collection services were delayed until Tuesday, Jan. 27. Collections will follow a slide schedule, meaning pickups will occur one day later than usual throughout the week, with the last pickup on Saturday, Jan. 31.
Please note:
- Changes may occur based on road conditions.
- Make sure containers are accessible and clear of snow and ice.
According to the US Fire Administration, half of all home fires occur in the winter months, and in one out of every five fire deaths, home heating equipment is involved. Here are a few tips to keep in mind during this long stretch of cold, winter weather:
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, and space heaters.
- Never use an oven or stovetop to heat your home.
- Always use a metal or heat-tempered glass screen with your fireplace and keep wood stove doors closed.
- Do not use extension cords with space heaters—plug them directly into outlets and only plug in one appliance at a time.
- It’s best to use space heaters with automatic shut-off switches in case they fall over.
- If you need to use a generator, keep it outside, far away from windows and your home.
- Test your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
- Have your chimney and HVAC system vents cleaned professionally and be sure vents are free of snow and ice.
- Dispose of cooled ashes in sealed metal containers at least 10’ away from any structures.
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The danger associated with this winter weather is not over yet. The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for our region through 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, but we expect temperatures to remain well below freezing for the remainder of this week and into early February. Real temperature lows this week could be in single digits, with windchills below -5 degrees Fahrenheit.
To prevent frostbite and hypothermia, make sure you limit your time outside, dress in layers, and leave no skin exposed . Check on vulnerable neighbors and use space heaters safely.
County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis also shared important winter safety guidance. Residents can watch her winter safety tips video on the County’s YouTube channel.
 The Alert Montgomery System provides accurate, immediate emergency notifications from Montgomery County to your cell, work, or home phone via text, email, or voice message. Receive notifications about emergencies that may affect your home, workplace, child's school, or any other location within Montgomery County.
- Government and School Status for County government and public school closures, cancellations, or delays due to inclement weather or other emergencies.
- Weather Alerts for your family's home, business, school, child care, and more.
- Infrastructure Issues, including water and power outages.
- Severe Traffic Issues, including accidents and prolonged road closures.
In accordance with Executive Regulation 17-17, pets must not be left outside unattended during periods of extreme cold. Leaving a pet outside in these conditions may constitute cruelty, and may result in fines or charges for the pet owner. The regulation is enforced by the Office of Animal Services under the authority of its executive director.
Be aware of the early signs of hypothermia in pets, including shivering, muscle stiffness, lethargy, difficulty walking, cool body surfaces, and confusion. If you suspect a pet may be suffering from hypothermia, move them to a warm place immediately and seek veterinary treatment. If you believe an animal is in distress, call 301-279-8000.
Montgomery County 311 has returned to normal hours Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. To assist with solid waste and Ride On calls, 311 will also be open on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During the recent snowstorm, Montgomery County 311 staff helped residents with thousands of requests. The “Top 10” requested services included:
- Plowing of Montgomery County streets
- Snow removal status updates
- Reporting unplowed or missed streets
- County office closures
- Estimated time to finish plowing all streets
- Snow plow timelines
- Assistance clearing snow
- Recycling guidelines
- Snow plow blocking driveways
- Schedule for plowing public streets
You can call 311 or find them online at mc311.com.
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