Maryland Braces for Ice: Crews Battle Wintry Mix

Crews across Maryland worked tirelessly on Sunday to combat a significant wintry mix, aiming to make roads passable before freezing temperatures set in overnight and into Monday morning. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) adjusted its response strategy as the storm approached, focusing all available resources on tackling icy conditions.

To ensure safety, SHA deployed hundreds of workers and contractors, leveraging infrared sensors on vehicles and weather stations to identify and prioritize the most hazardous spots. These efforts included refilling salt storage facilities and spreading hundreds of thousands of tons of salt statewide to prevent ice accumulation on roadways, a task that extended through Sunday night.

As temperatures are expected to drop below freezing, a local emergency medicine doctor, Dr. Gregory Corcoran, urged caution. He advised minimizing outdoor exposure to prevent dangers like frostbite and hypothermia, recommending dressing in layers and covering extremities. He also cautioned individuals with chronic conditions to avoid overexertion, particularly from activities like shoveling snow, which can lead to emergency room visits.