When a snow emergency is declared, the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) is responsible for providing “passable” conditions on a network of more than 1,900 miles of county-maintained roadways to ensure the safety of residents, citizens, and travelers.
Route Clearing Priorities
Routes are prioritized for service by the following categories: primary, secondary, and residential. Primary and secondary roads are serviced first to ensure that public safety and other emergency vehicles can travel. After completion of these roads, residential roads receive service. Crews work as long as necessary to clear roadways, which consists of salting, sanding, and/or plowing, as warranted by weather conditions.
To assist crews, citizens and residents are requested to:
- Move and keep vehicles off snow emergency routes
- Park in driveways or other off-road locations wherever possible
- Park only on the even-numbered sides of roads/streets
It also is important for single-family homeowners/renters and business proprietors to remember that they are responsible for the removal of snow/ice from the sidewalks abutting their homes or businesses.
Reporting Road Concerns
During a snow and ice event, residents and citizens are asked to wait 24 hours, after the precipitation has stopped, to call 311 or 301-883-4748 to report emergencies or concerns about roadway conditions/snow removal.
Snow & Ice Control (Public Works & Transportation)
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When will my street be plowed?
Snow emergency routes and primary roads are treated first, followed by secondary streets and finally residential streets including dead-ends and cul-de-sacs.
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Where do I call to report my street has not been plowed or treated?
Call CountyClick 311 (311 or 301-883-4748), 24 hours after the precipitation has stopped, if your road has not been treated.
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My driveway is blocked with plowed snow, what do I do?
You are responsible for clearing the snow from your driveway. It is best to shovel your driveway after the road has been plowed to avoid having driveways blocked by snow plowing operations. DPW&T does not have the resources available to unblock driveways.
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I have a medical condition and need my street plowed right away.
The Department of Public Works and Transportation cannot prioritize roadways by medical needs of the residents. For medical emergencies, residents should call 911 immediately. Department of Public Works and Transportation works directly with the Fire and Police Departments on emergencies. For assistance with transportation to medical appointments, residents should call the Office of Emergency Preparedness at 301-583-1899. The Office of Emergency Preparedness will assist in providing transportation with 4 wheel drive vehicles.
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Where should I park my car?
If you have a driveway, use it. A parked car in the driveway means less area to shovel later. If on-street parking must be used, cars must be parked on the even-numbered side of the street during snow operations. Failure to do so could result in a fine and/or towing.
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I live in a new development and I haven't seen a snow plow yet. Who do I call?
Call CountyClick 311 (311 or 301-883-4748). Inform the call taker that you live in a new development and they can determine if your roadway has been accepted into the County maintenance system. If it hasn't, you will need to contact your developer or citizens' association as it is their responsibility until the road has been accepted by the County.
Helpful Tips for Residents
- Make sure you have enough food and bottled water, as well as any necessary medications.
- Have a shovel and any other supplies ready to remove snow from your driveway and/or sidewalk.
- Have extra flashlights, batteries and blankets on hand.
- Check on your neighbors to see if they need anything.
- Do not drive on roadways until they’ve been cleared; in case of a medical emergency, call 911.
- Shovel your driveway only after roads have been plowed, and do not place the shoveled snow in the traveled portion of roads.
- Shovel any snow around fire hydrants and mail boxes.
- For more resources, visit the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works & Transportation website.
Yesterday we held an event with several local partners to announce a “shutdown relief package” for Prince George’s County residents who are currently furloughed by the federal government shutdown. Through a combination of county government resources and contributions from community partners, we are offering a package of resources that will help bring some stability and security to families who are trying to figure out how to pay the bills or put food on the table. While we do not know how long this shutdown will continue, we want our county residents who are struggling to know that we have your back. I’d like to highlight a couple of the resources being provided by the county below:
- Maryland National Capital Park and Planning, through their Department of Parks and Recreation, will waive membership fees for any federal worker affected by the shutdown. You may use any of their exercise facilities.
- The department is also waiving childcare fees for furloughed workers until the end of the shutdown.
- I have authorized our county budget director to put an additional $70,000 into our Emergency Assistance Fund, giving us a total of $150,000 to help those with immediate financial need.
- The fund can help with items such as delinquent mortgages, utility bills and other financial needs.
While these are resources that the county is providing, local partners in the community have stepped up to provide several resources as well. We’ve built a webpage that lists all the resources currently being offered to furloughed workers, and we will continue to update it as we get more commitments. To find all those resources, please visit the site at: www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/shutdown.
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