Westminster, MD, Saturday, January 8, 2022 – The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Carroll County, which will be in effect from 6:00 a.m. until noon on Sunday, January 9, 2022.  The NWS forecast indicates that Carroll County will see freezing rain throughout Sunday morning, which is expected to cause ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch before changing to plain rain later in the day. According to NWS, freezing rain is rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees and power lines. Difficult travel conditions and isolated power outages are possible.

Freezing rain can make roads and other surfaces icy for travelers. If the storm arrives, travelers are asked to stay off the roads as crews will work early Sunday morning treating roads with salt until the temperature rises.

Official Forecast Information: https://www.weather.gov/lwx/winter

Winter Weather Preparedness Tips: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather

Additional winter weather safety information is available in the Carroll County Citizens Guide to Emergency Preparedness:  https://www.carrollcountymd.gov/government/directory/public-safety/emergency-management/citizens-guide-to-emergency-preparedness/. Also explore the Carroll County Department of Public Safety’s Facebook and Twitter (@CarrCoMDPubSafe) for more tips on how to stay safe during wintry weather.

For those seeking shelter:  Human Services Programs (HSP) of Carroll County offers a day center located in the basement of St. Paul’s Church at 17 Bond Street in Westminster, which operates daily from 10:00am through 8:00pm. The day center is a drop-in center for street homeless that offers activities, access to charging stations, shelter from the weather, case management services, televisions and provides hot dinner nightly. The day center also serves as a warming center during extreme temperature weather events for any resident. The phone number is 443-201-3428.  Individuals must be able to negotiate 12 steps for access to the building. If this is not possible, please call the Adult Only Shelter 410-386-6679 for an accessible alternative. 

HSP also operates a year-round night by night shelter located at 127 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD which accepts nightly participants at 7pm with stays through 8am the following morning. Contact 410-386-6679 for more information.  Light food is available.

Those interested may either walk into each location or call for more information. At both locations, participants are required to engage in a COVID screening process upon entry into the building. A positive screen will require additional testing and services from outside medical staff. Face masks must be worn at all times, except when eating or sleeping. Participants must also remain 6 feet apart from others.

County non-emergencies:  Residents wishing to report snow related non-emergencies such as mailbox damage should use the county’s See Click Report site and mobile app.

For more information on local cold weather resources, including energy assistance, visit the Carroll County Health Department cold weather webpage or check out the Carroll County Health Department on Facebook.