Salisbury Mayor Jake Day has declared a State of Emergency and a Snow Emergency in the city – effective at 5 p.m. today, Friday, Jan. 28 – ahead of a powerful winter storm that is expected to bring severe conditions to the lower Delmarva Peninsula over the next 24 hours.

Earlier today, the National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for Wicomico County from 7 p.m. this evening until 7 p.m. Saturday.

Salisbury is expected to receive anywhere from 8 to 12 inches of snow, with the heaviest accumulation occurring in the early morning hours of Saturday, between 1 and 7 a.m.

During that same period, wind gusts up to 45 mph may create white-out conditions, bring down tree branches and cause significant snow drifts.

Under Salisbury’s Municipal Code, it is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle on any city street that is designated and appropriately signposted as a snow emergency route and for which a snow emergency has been declared and is in effect.

These emergency declarations are being announced in advance of plowing operations to allow citizens to prepare. Motorists are reminded to not park along snow emergency routes, and private plow contractors are reminded to not push snow into public roads. Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine. 

The city of Salisbury has 14 trucks with plow bodies ready and equipped, and more than500 tons of salt on-hand.

Plowing of residential streets will occur once the seven snow emergency routes have been cleared.

Maps of Salisbury’s snow emergency routes can be found on the city’s website: salisbury.md/snow-routes

Citizens are urged to stay at home and avoid driving if at all possible. If you must drive during this snow event, it is important to realize that the most slippery surfaces do not appear as hazardous as they actually are.

Bridges, overpasses and intersections are common areas where the pavement freezes faster than on ordinary roadways. Please slow down, and allow extra distance when braking.

For service calls after normal business hours, please contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165. For emergency situations, please dial 911 immediately.