State Highway Administration Responds to Hurrican Sandy

STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION CREWS RESPOND TO HURRICANE SANDY

High Winds, Rain/Flooding on Eastern Shore; 
Worst of the Storm Expected Monday into Tuesday

(October 28, 2012 – 9 p.m.) – Hurricane Sandy is already taking a toll on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, with evacuations continuing in low-lying areas and flooding occurring in southern Ocean City.  With the worst of the storm expected to pound Maryland with heavy rain and high winds on Monday and Tuesday, widespread power outages and a possible blizzard in far Western Maryland are expected. 

Hurricane Sandy is a huge slow moving storm with wide-ranging impacts already being felt on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.   As of 5 p.m. this afternoon, Coastal Highway in Ocean City was flooded near the US 50 Bridge, causing authorities to direct all motorists to the MD 90 Bridge at 63rd Street.  

More than 200 State Highway Administration (SHA) crews are actively assisting across Maryland’s Eastern Shore with an additional 1,500 SHA operations personnel prepared in the remainder of the State to respond to high water, downed trees and traffic signal issues.   In addition, a blizzard warning has been issued in Garrett County in far western Maryland Monday night into Tuesday.

"This is a dangerous storm and we need motorists to be alert throughout this event.  Travelers will encounter road closures due to high water or trees down.  SHA crews are adjusting signal timing and will post warning signs wherever possible," said State Highway Administrator Melinda B. Peters. 

"Remember, a new law enacted Oct. 1 mandates drivers must treat intersections with non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops.  Do not assume you or the other driver has the right-of-way; make eye contact if possible and proceed safely through the intersection."

To keep traffic moving smoothly, SHA is:

• Providing real-time traffic information and storm-related road closures through Maryland’s 511 phone system and at WWW.MD511.ORG as well aswww.roads.maryland.gov where you can click on CHART to see live traffic cameras. 
• Programming overhead Variable Message Signs along major roadways and Traveler Advisory Radios to inform motorists of crashes, delays and route diversions. However, smaller routes prone to flooding may not be listed as they happen quickly and often go unreported. Just because a road isn't listed as problematic on these resources, conditions change quickly, so use caution and allow extra time regardless.

Additional tips for motorists can be found on SHA’s website at www.roads.maryland.gov or on MEMA’s website at www.mema.state.md.us.

In conjunction with other agencies and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), SHA is monitoring response to the storm from the Statewide Operations Center (SOC) near BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.   During hurricanes, snow storms and other crises, the SOC doubles as SHA’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) providing access to hundreds of camera images, constant contact with field personnel and quick response to changing conditions. From the EOC, SHA communicates with local jurisdictions, neighboring states, emergency responders and the media.

For the most up to date highway traffic information, call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit www.md511.org, which also includes weather. Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the website. Remember to use 511 safely – Maryland law prohibits hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.

For more general - non storm specific information, follow SHA on Twitter @MDSHA and “like” us on Facebook at:www.facebook.com/MarylandStateHighwayAdministration