Community Corner

SHA, BGE: Stay Off the Roads and Prepare for Outages

A windy wintry weather pattern leads state officials and BGE to urge caution, preparedness.

The State Highway Administration (SHA) and Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. (BGE) are warning residents that high winds, cold temperatures and icy roads may cause troubles Thursday. 

The National Weather Service is forecasting freezing rain overnight into Thursday morning as well as fog and temperatures in the mid- to high-30s. Winds are expected to pick up speed into Thursday, when gusts could approach 50 mph. 

"When you step out and see ice on your doorstep, you can assume that roads will be icy as well," SHA Administrator Melinda Peters said in a statement.

Find out what's happening in Westminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Those icy conditions could make rush hour roads dangerous, according to the SHA, so crews will be hitting the streets early.

“Stay off the roads early tomorrow morning, so that SHA crews have the opportunity to proactively treat roadways before morning rush hour," Peters said in the statement.  

Find out what's happening in Westminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Drivers can call 511 or check www.MD511.org for travel conditions before heading out and get updated information about road conditions on the SHA's interactive CHART map. Follow @MDSHA on Twitter or like SHA on Facebook for additional information.

In a statement Thursday evening, BGE officials said the utility is monitoring the high wind activity and is preparing for weather-related outages. 

“The strong wind and wind gusts of up to 50 mph bring the threat of potential power outages that may result from downed trees and limbs damaging power lines and other electric distribution equipment,” BGE Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Jeannette Mills said in the statement. 

The utility also warned residents that fast winds might delay restoration times as  “some work, including work in bucket trucks, cannot be performed when there are sustained winds of 25 mph or more,” according to the statement. 

Customers can check current outages online on BGE’s outage map, and report outages through the company’s automated outage line at 877-778-2222 or online or on a mobile device on BGE’s website.

Follow @MyBGE on Twitter and like BGE on Facebook for additional updates. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here