The aftermath of storms, floods, hurricanes, wind and ice storms presents a number of challenges for those unfortunate enough to have been in their path. Lack of electrical power, flooding, downed trees, trash and debris, and blocked roadways are just a part of the myriad of obstacles facing our residents following these events. These conditions can be localized or County-wide. A number of organizations, both public and private, provide a wide array of services to help citizens recover from these challenges.
Public Works is one of the agencies that provides services to citizens following unusual weather events. When they occur, our highly trained and skilled crews quickly respond to assist County residents by opening roadways and restoring normal traffic operations. As a result of severe storm events, debris may block public roadways and accumulate on private properties. As DPW receives calls from residents, crews are immediately dispatched to clear blocked roadways. The first priority is safety. Supervisors assess the area affected and develop a plan of action. After the appropriate authorities have determined that the area is safe for workers, crews will begin clearing public roadways. For example, crews cannot clear a roadway until the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) addresses downed power lines. Depending on the magnitude of the storm, interim measures may be taken when clearing public roads. Debris may be piled on road shoulders as crews continue to clear roadways. Hauling the roadside tree debris will be completed after roadways have been opened. Structural repairs will be evaluated and scheduled to be completed by in-house forces or by contractors.
- Reports of fallen trees blocking County-maintained roadways (roads with green street name signs and without a route number) should be called into the appropriate road maintenance district during normal work hours, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- After hour emergencies on County roads should be reported to 410-222-8400.
- Downed wires should be reported to BGE at 1-800-685-0123.
Residents that experience damage to their home and its contents or have storm debris present on their private property do have a number of options available as follows:
- Property owners may take the debris, building materials, or construction and demolition debris to any one of the three County convenience centers or the County landfill. Residents hauling debris in most private vehicles will not be charged for disposal. Please visit our Bureau of Waste Management website for complete information regarding Trash, Recycling, Yard Waste, Bulk Item Pick-up, and Household Hazardous Waste.
- Curbside yard waste collection services are available for debris that can be 1) bagged; or 2) put in a container of choice (marked with an X); or 3), bundled (less than 4 feet in length). Logs and large limbs cannot be collected at curbside.
- To dispose of damaged appliances and furniture, please call 410-222-6100 to schedule a bulk item collection.
- To report 24-hour EMERGENCY service needs for water/wastewater, contact 410-222-8400.
- Property owners may contact private contractors for assistance.
On rare occasions, the County experiences an exceptional storm event. When the effect of hurricanes, blizzards, and tornadoes is catastrophic and widespread, the Director of Public Works, in conjunction with the County Executive and the Office of Emergency Management, will assess Countywide conditions and determine the appropriate level of response.
Helpful Non-County Telephone Numbers
Annapolis City
- Department of Public Works (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.): 410-263-7949
- Emergency Phone: 410-224-2140 (After Hours)
State Highway Administration
- District 5 Office: Phone: 410-841-1000
- Glen Burnie Shop: (for north County roads): 410-766-3770
- Annapolis Shop: (for central and south County roads): 410-841-1009
- Report highway emergencies, such as traffic signal outages or sinkholes to our Statewide Operations Center toll-free at 1-800-543-2515 or locally at 410-582-5650. For routine service requests involving a State route, the most effective method of contact is MDOT SHA's Service Request form.
Baltimore Gas & Electric Company
- Outages or Downed Power Lines: 1-800-685-0123