NOTTINGHAM, MD—The first winter storm of the season is packing quite a punch in parts of Maryland and wreaking havoc on local roadways.

As of 12:30 p.m. on Monday, over 67,000 residents were without power, according to the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM).  Maryland State Police have also responded to dozens of crashes.  The Nottingham area is under a Winter Storm Warning until 4 p.m. on Monday.

Residents are urged to keep their devices charged and only use generators outdoors…and never in a garage.  Generators should be used at least 20 feet away from the home and away from windows, doors, and vents.

Due to a power outage in the area, internet service and telephone lines are currently down at the Baltimore County Animal Services location in Baldwin.

The heavy snow is also affecting many local roadways.

“Crews are working hard to clear roadways, but snowfall is accumulating (at) 2 inches an hour in parts of Maryland,” said Maryland State Highway Administration officials on Monday. “We need motorists to help us by staying off the roads.”

Several vehicles are currently stuck on eastbound Route 50, just went of I-97. The disabled vehicles have blocked plow crews from getting through.  Several major intersections are also currently blocked by downed trees and power lines.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday issued a ground stop for flights headed to BWI Thurgood Marshall airport. Close to 200 flights have been canceled.

“We can’t stress it enough…if you can, please avoid travel to allow our plows to clear roadways,” SHA officials said on Monday afternoon.

Additional information on Monday’s winter storm can be found here.

Featured photo via Pixabay