Update: Homes on Shore Drive and up into Arundel on the Bay have lost power. This emphasizes our need to look after one another.

Our snowplow operator, Jose Lemus, has been working all night (literally!) and is back at it now. He is working hard to keep the roads as passable as we can expect, but note that he can't do much about the big drifts and he can only push the snow to the side, he can't remove it. His work has been exemplary. He was out there at 1 a.m.!

We've been getting complaints about driveways being closed off by the plowing. So your Community officers are working to hire a Bobcat operator to dig out everyone's driveways tonight and tomorrow (this is just for the berm in front of your driveway, not to dig out your car). We haven't had any success yet, but we're trying. If anyone knows of a contractor with a Bobcat who is available, please contact Kathy Burk: 410 280-1359, kathycburk@verizon.net.

Also, it is very important, not only for the plowing, but for emergency vehicle access, to get our vehicles off the roads. There is a car abandoned in the road near Washington and Booker right now and we're going to have it towed because it is a safety hazard. If this is your car, move it now.

Compared to many communities, we're in pretty good shape, believe it or not.

If you are a senior or have trouble getting around, help is available with the snow and if you can't afford to pay for snow removal, OHCA can help.

Our landscape and snow removal contractor, Jose Lemus, would like to help us offer plow/dig-out services to seniors, but he can't guarantee it will be done before Thursday or Friday. And, he will need to shovel residents out because he can't maneuver the plow in driveways. OHCA will take care of the cost for seniors and anyone with special needs on an as-requested basis. If you need help, call the OHCA office at  410-280-8999 and leave a message or email manager@oysterharbor.org. 

For anyone who needs help, these neighbors have said that they can assist: 
Robb Fish: 410-280-6461 home or 202-550-2897 cell
Stewart Anderson: 603-512-1755 cell

Please pass this news to any seniors or others who do not have access to email.

With as much as 20 more inches on the way, it's going to be difficult to deal with on Thursday (the snow is expected to end late Wednesday). Everybody, look in on our older residents or those who cannot get around too well. Let's take care of each other.

Also, please make sure your vehicles are off the roads so the snow plows can get through.

And, in case the power goes out -- which is more likely this time because the wind gusts could be as high as 45 mph -- be prepared with a bathtub full of water (for toilet flushing) and pitchers of drinking water set aside.