Winter Storm Pax Update from - Mema

Belsky from the National Weather Service and you know Lieutenant-Colonel Charlie Culner from the National Guard Really what we want to talk about, umm we're pleasantly happy so far since the activation, Marylanders have heeded the warning regarding this storm and given us in the public sector an opportunity to clear the roads and do what we need to do to keep Marylanders safe. At this time we're below one thousand people without power and you can see on our power outage map over here rolled down to about 360 degrees That's about 2.5 percent of all customers in in Maryland so were happy with that, Umm You know, if you have to go out tonight what you're seeing now, you're seeing a lot of rain We'ere preparing for what we call this wrap-around effect of this storm. It's going to be starting about- uh - 5 p.m. And I wanted Ken Rodowsky to - uh - kind of talk a little bit about that from the National Weather Service. Ken? Ken: Thanks very much, Ken. We are in the final stages of this storm system - the main storm, the coastal low pressure system is off the mid-Atlantic shore It continues to intensify and will continue to move to the North and East away from the region. However we're looking in the upper levels of the atmosphere and there's another disturbance coming across from the West. It's currently producing some heavy snow in the Roanoke area. That'll pivot East and will produce some additional precipitation this evening Generally, East of the Blue Ridge Mountains. And we're targeting the I-95 corridor and points East to the Upper Shore. Precipitation will likely start out as a mix of rain and sleet , maybe mixed with some snow to start and then we expect the atmosphere to cool off, with additional snow on the order of 2 to 4 inches. The higher total as you go further East Areas like Southern Maryland that didn't experience a lot of snow this morning will get into some accumulating snow this evening. And then the snow will continue to move East and effect the Lower Eastern Shore even down towards Ocean City. We think it'll get cold enough for a change over there, before it ends. So that's the case for tonight, accumulating snow East of the Blue Ridge Mountains I-95 is the target; two to four inches for that In additional we'll see some gusty winds out of the North to Northwest about 30 to 35 miles an hour So there could be some additional blowing and drifting of snow especially in places that have seen upwards of 8, 10, 12 inches. And then, by Friday morning the entire system pulls away and we'll start to see some improving conditions across the area. Thank you, Ken You know, as this system moves out, we've been telling Marylanders and they've been heeding the warning to stay indoors, and you have to. And one of the things we know, our State Highway Administration is doing an excellent job, but keep in mind we still have a lot of our local partners at the County and City level that's probably back streets and local streets could have accumulations of up to 10, 12 maybe up to 16 inches of snow so, you know, staying inside, even at the local level is real important, uh, so that they can get their jobs done. But I do want Bud Frank to come up and talk a little bit about the status of SH ..SHA, excuse me Bud: Thank you Ken. As Ken said, our road crews have been battling out there, all night, working very hard and I want to take this opportunity to thank the public for generally staying off the roadways. That really allows the crews to get out there and work to get the primary and the Interstates they are pretty much clear to the shoulder. We have some minimal coverage through the center area of the State. You know, in Western Maryland had more snow fall there than we experienced and we're still trying to get those roads totally down to the bare pavement. (muffled) as Ken Rodowsky said we do have some more weather coming in tonight the temperatures will be dropping, as well ...and, and... you know, we would request that the public stay off the roads so our road crews can get out there and keep these roads clear. And get that snow that, that, you know, may fall off the roadway and get some chemicals on there to keep it from re-freezing. Most of our other transit modes are in real good shape uh, the airport is open, there is very limited service uh, and, you know, if you do intend on flying, please call the airline before you go to make sure they are back and operating again. and your transit system, Metro, Light Rail and busses are all functioning very well. and again, thanks to the folks down there that get the roads cleared so we can keep those things moving so people can get around. Ken: Thanks Bud, um, you know - one of the reasons that we implement a State of Emergency is to have the ability to activate our, uh, National Guard. and I would like to have Colonel Culner to come up and give us a little status of Guard activity. Thanks, Ken. Colonel Culner: Uh, right now, currently, we have about 500 of our soldiers and airmen and Maryland defense personnel spread throughout the State. Umm - we are in the process of re-positioning as needed Ah -some of the new missions that we've been getting is the Frederick area, so far we're continuing to monitor the situation and we're there as needed. That's all I have. Ken: Thank you Colonel. And now, if -uh - if you have any questions. Man: (Muffled) Oh, here at the Emergency Operations Center, we are not getting any calls from the general public. Man: No, no. I'm talking about local governments - aren't local governments calling? Yes - and so we'll get indications of, uh, status of their local emergency operations centers, status of things like salt. So far, so far I can tell you we haven't had any request from any local jurisdiction regarding uh - resources. Our request for the National Guard, and so when those missions come onto the State Emergency Operations Center - we give them over to the National Guard and they then deploy those assets to the counties or the cities. Man: What kind of missions have been taking place out in the Frederick area that, uh, Colonel? Colonel: Primarily what we're doing is we're actually working with the local first responders Our job, our main job, is to help the first responders be able to do their job. Uh, as we talked about many of the side roads are quite heavy, and, uh, our vehicles have the ground clearance, the four wheel drive that gives them the ability to get through those side streets and that's really where they are needed. Man: ...but nothing like fires or... Colonel: Not that I'm aware of at this time Transporting patients as well Ken: Anything else? Women: I'm sorry, how many specifically went to Frederick? Uh, the actual number - I'd have to - uh - it was just recently said, uh eight vehicles - that would be 16 personnel, but, uh, I don't know how many were already there, so I'd have to get that for you Ken: Anything else? No? Thank you.