Carroll County Emergency Management: 'Stay off the Roads'

County officials are encouraging residents to be smart and stay safe as the storm worsens--that includes staying off the roads. 

Roberta Windham of Carroll County government said that the "situation is deteriorating and will continue to throughout the afternoon." 

County officials are urging residents to stay off the roads. A news release from the state police said that when it gets dark, debris sitting on the road will not be visible and will create unexpected hazards for drivers. 

See all news and updates related to the storm on Patch's Hurricane Sandy page.

According to the state police release, officials are urging residents to stay off the roads, but as of 12:30 p.m. Monday there was no prohibition against traveling on Maryland roads. 

State troopers and local police officers will NOT be stopping and ticketing vehicles which are on the road later today according to the release.

Police said they ARE urging people in the strongest possible way to stay off the roads unless they are essential personnel or have emergency circumstances.

The State Highway Administration (SHA) said it that speed limits on Maryland roadways are being reduced to 45 miles per hour for the duration of the storm.

“Lowering the speed limit is necessary since speed and high wind is a dangerous combination. By reducing speed limit, our goal is to keep our emergency responders safe. For all members of the general public, we can’t stress enough the importance of staying off the roads as this unprecedented storm strikes Maryland,” said Maryland State Highway Administrator Melinda B. Peters in a release.  “Stay home. There are more than 12,000 people responding along state and toll roadways. By staying home you allow them, utility crews and police to do their jobs.”

Carroll County government has posted a list of road closures. The following roads have been closed (and some reopened) as a result of debris in the roadway:

• Area of 699 Muller Road was closed for a tree in the roadway at 1 p.m., it was reopened at 1:15 p.m.
• Grave Run Road near Hoffmanville Road was closed for a tree in the roadway at 1:30 p.m. and reopened at 2:05 p.m.
• Area of 1922 Garrett Road was closed due to Verizon lines in the road at 1:35 p.m. and reopened at 2:05 p.m.
• Area of 249 Saw Mill Road closed for a tree in the roadway at 1:50 p.m. and reopened at 2:05 p.m.

With power outages predicted, officials are also preparing for traffic lights to go dark.  A new law requires that drivers treat intersections with lights that have gone out as if they had four-way stop signs.

Follow Westminster Patch on Facebook and Twitter for updates.