Precautions to take with forecasted snow storm coming to Baltimore

What did I say about staying dry and warm???

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the entire State of Maryland beginning today and continuing until Sunday morning. Some forecasts have the snow accumulations reaching 12 inches or more, depending on where in Maryland you live.

First, be mindful of hypothermia. It can set in at any time and without warning, so dress appropriately. Stay warm, stay dry, and dress in layers so you can remove or apply them to regulate your body temperature.

Next, drive only if absolutely necessary. If the Governor declares a snow emergency, you should definitely stay off the roads and allow emergency vehicles to have a clear way. Ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles have enough of a hard time driving in non-snow traffic. If you must drive, wear a seat belt, let others know where you are going and what route you'll be taking, and carry with you a small snow shovel, some water, and an extra change of clothes (for changing into if you get covered in snow). Same thing applies: stay warm, stay dry.

Finally, Baltimore and Maryland as a whole are not strangers to this kind of weather. Luckily, the storm is coming on a weekend. So expect service disruptions to be minimal. Should your power go out, remember to call BGE at 877-778-2222. If you smell a natural gas leak, see that power lines are down, or you notice any other hazardous situations, don't hesitate to call 911 and remove yourself and others from the vicinity of any downed power lines or natural gas smells.

"Unless you've got a life to spare, you should always be prepared." - Japeth the Goat