HIGHLIGHTS:

• Montgomery County government is open on Tuesday, July 3.
• Employees should check with their department directors about alternative work arrangements in the event that power is still not restored at their work location.
• July 4th fireworks celebrations are cancelled in Kensington, Germantown, Rockville and Gaithersburg.
• MC311 will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Callers are asked to be patient if they experience delays when calling 311 because of the high call volume.  MC311 is operating from a temporary location because of power outages at its building, and this has contributed to some delays. The web portal  -- www.mc311.com -- is available 24 hours a day to report downed trees and other non-emergency issues.
• Residents can get real-time information on road closures in their neighborhoods on line at http://www5.montgomerycountymd.gov/snowmap/.  Find the appropriate location on the map with the cursor and click repeatedly. Closed roads, or portions of roads that are closed, will appear in black on the map, as noted in the legend on the left side of the page.

Important Tips:

Stay up to date with changes, cancellations, etc. by subscribing to Alert Montgomery at https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov.

To report “hot” or sparkling wires, especially those across roadways, call 911.

To report power outages, call Pepco at 877-737-2662, Allegheny Power at 800-255-3443, or Baltimore Gas & Electric at 877-778-2222.

PEPCO reports 100,148 customers are still without power in Montgomery County.

Traffic signals

There are still 200 traffic signals without power out of 800 total. County Police are directing traffic at many intersections throughout the County, assisted by Maryland State Police and Maryland Transportation Police. Drivers are reminded to treat “dark” intersections as four-way stops and be especially aware of pedestrians.

One hundred and five road segments remain closed, all of them involving utility lines

A partial listing of primary intersections without working stoplights, as of Monday evening, includes:

-Connecticut Ave (MD185) & Randolph Rd

-Cabin John Pkwy & Mac Arthur Blvd

-Colesville Rd (US29) & University Blvd E (MD193) (Four Corners)

-Columbia Blvd & Georgia Ave (MD97) & Seminary Rd

-Forest Glen Rd & Forest Glen Rd (MD192) & Georgia Ave (MD97)

-Democracy Blvd & Old Georgetown Rd (MD187)

-E Gude Dr & Frederick Rd (MD355) & W Gude Dr

Cooling Centers

Montgomery County has two “cooling shelters” that remain open at Richard Montgomery High School (250 Richard Montgomery Drive in Rockville) and White Oak Recreation Center, (1700 April Lane in White Oak.). Clarksburg High School has closed as a cooling shelter. Bring prescription medicines, critical phone numbers, and any comfort items such as personal pillows.

Residents who have cats or dogs and are planning to use a County shelter can drop off their pets at the Humane Society Shelter at 14645 Rothgeb Dr. in Rockville. If it is possible to call first, call the emergency number at 240-773-5900. After 5 p.m. when the shelter has closed for walk-in service, those arriving at the shelter should use the front door buzzer to gain admittance.

Food Safety

Food in the refrigerator is safe if the power has been off for no more than four hours. After that, discard perishables such as meat, poultry, soft cheese, eggs and leftovers. Check out www.fsis.usda.gov/fact_sheets/keeping_food_Safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp for more details and a chart.

A full freezer can keep food frozen for 48 hours after a loss of power. A half-full freezer can keep food frozen for 24 hours

Following are updates on other County services and facilities:

Libraries

The following branches are closed due to lack of power: Wheaton, Silver Spring, Little Falls and Davis. For the latest information on library openings, closings or possible extended hours, check the MCPL website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library..

Parking

Three garages in Silver Spring are without power. Parking is free at the two garages with pay stations without power -- Garage 16, the new facility on King St in south Silver Spring, and Garage 7 on Cameron St., across from the Judicial Center.

Payment is required to park at any lot or garage with individual meters. All parking facilities -- with or without power-- are open to the public. If there is still no power to the facilities after dark, they will remain open. However, the public is advised to use extreme caution if they choose to park in a facility without lights.

Parks

Several Montgomery Parks Facilities, parks, classes and summer camps are cancelled today due to storm damage. Check the website at www.montgomeryparks.org for updated information. To report downed trees, other problems or maintenance issues in parks, contact the Montgomery Parks Service Center at 301-670-8080. Visitors are urged to use caution when traveling to or visiting parks or trails as crews are working to remove dangerous or downed trees.

Recreation

The following swim centers are open:  Upper County, Martin Luther King, both indoor and outdoor pools; Germantown, indoor and outdoor; Olney; Western Area pool; and Long Branch outdoor pool.

All regularly scheduled Recreation Department programs and activities are cancelled for Tuesday, July 3.

Community Use of Public Facilities

All community use activities scheduled for Montgomery County Public Schools have been cancelled for Tuesday, July 3.

The Silver Spring Civic Building still has no power. Programs scheduled at the building for Monday evening and Tuesday have been cancelled.

Trash, recycling collections

Recycling collection and County-provided trash collection for single-family households will be provided as regularly scheduled on Tuesday. Residents are reminded to keep weights of containers and bundles of brush to no more than 45 pounds. The Transfer Station will be open to accept dropped off tree limbs and brush.

However, residents are reminded that there will be no County-provided recycling or trash collections on Wednesday, July 4. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday collections will shift later by one day. The Transfer Station will be closed July 4. See holiday details. Get holiday reminders as email and/or text messages.

For information on cleanup instructions for fallen tree limbs and for disposing of spoiled/rotten food, visit the Division of Solid Waste website.

Transit

Ride On buses are operating on a regular schedule, but expect delays due to downed trees, wires and signal outages. A number of Ride On routes are detoured, so check the website at www.rideonbus.com and click on Delays and Detours for the latest information.

Temporary changes in Silver Spring TRiPS Commuter Store hours

The Silver Spring TRiPS Commuter Store is experiencing mechanical problems which are impacting hours of operation.  Hours are temporarily limited to 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Please call before visiting during other hours to confirm the store is open.  Repairs should be completed and regular hours restored by mid-week.

The Friendship Heights TRiPS Commuter Store is maintaining normal hours: Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed 1 to 2 p.m.)

For up-to-date information on hours of operation call 240-773-8747, Option 1, for the Silver Spring TRiPS Commuter Store location or Option 2, for the Friendship Heights TRiPS Commuter Store location.

Permitting Services

The Department of Permitting Services will provide modified full services (not more than two new permit applications submitted or picked up at the same time.)  Emergency and storm-related permits and inspections are a priority but all types of applications will be accepted.  Online services are not available at this time.