Hey folks! Alderman Brooks here. I hope that everyone is staying warm and safe during this storm. I also hope you have downloaded the Prepare Me Annapolis app to get all up to date emergency announcements. Now for an update on our snow efforts. 

First, we are now at a PHASE 3 SNOW EMERGENCY! Phase III stipulates that area roadways are for essential travel only; Annapolis Police are empowered to enforce the effort for any drivers who are a hindrance to plowing and snow removal operations. 

Under a Phase III, Snow Emergency Routes will be made passable within 102 hours of the end of the snowfall, Snow Connector Routes will be made passable within 126 hours of the end of the snowfall, all other routes will be made passable within 150 hours of the end of the snowfall. “Passable” can have some confusion so again, a picture is worth 1,000 words, so take a look at the graph below from the city. 

Because of the Governor’s declaring a state of emergency for Maryland we have a few troops from the National Guard helping us operate in Annapolis. 

Second, the city government will be closed tomorrow. City refuse and recycling will not be picked up tomorrow. We will be postponing our usual city council meeting. Our emergency personnel and public works team have been out all day today and will be out there tomorrow. We have 10 to 13 plows going at all times,our facility maintenance crews were shoveling sidewalks by city buildings from 6 AM to 3 PM today and will be back at it tomorrow at 6 AM. Our police are actively keeping us safe from incidents and assisting with road clearing. Our fire department is on duty and ready to respond to fires and medical emergencies. Folks, PLEASE thank these workers for all they do. Emergencies and essential infrastructure cannot take a snow day so neither do they. The Pip Moyer Rec Center is open as a warming center and in the event of mass power outage will serve as a mass warming center. If you need a ride to the warming center call the Annapolis Call Center (410) 260-2211.

Third, because of the severity of this storm we are focusing primarily on emergency and connecter routes. We finished a briefing on the City’s snow response today (1/25/26) at 4:30 PM and as of that time no side streets had been able to be touched yet. Our target is getting to them 12-36 hours from now. We were told that if your public street has not been touched by Tuesday morning to please reach out to the Annapolis Call Center (410) 260-2211. I have placed a map of Emergency (red), Connecter (blue), and Side Streets (white) below. You can check which roads have been plowed using our Snowpaths tool at http://www.annapolis.gov/snowpaths.

Fourth, there is potential for power outages. Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) has informed City officials that they are prepared to handle potential outages due to icy conditions from the storm. Residents are reminded to stay well clear of downed trees and wires and report outages by calling 877-778-2222, texting OUT to MYBGE (69243), or visiting the BGE “Report an Outage” portal online.

Finally, CLEAR YOUR SIDEWALKS! Temperatures are expected to drop tonight and stay low the rest of the week. If sidewalks aren’t cleared tonight it could be too icy to clear them effectively later. Annapolis City Code requires property owners to clear adjacent public sidewalks (including sidewalks in the side and rear of properties) of snow and ice within three hours after snow or sleet has stopped falling (or by 11 a.m. following an overnight snow event). In 2025, the Annapolis City Council passed an ordinance that allows Public Works to clear a noncompliant property but will fine the property to $100 per day. Please assist neighbors who may otherwise be unable to clear sidewalks.

Folks, I hope you and your families are staying warm and safe this week. Please follow the city’s social media for more information on the storm and download Prepare Me Annapolis!

Alderman Brooks
https://www.brooksforannapolis.com/