​(August 4, 2020) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) continues to clean up from Tropical Storm Isaias and will monitor remaining precipitation through this evening. As the storm dissipated, MDOT SHA crews had responded to a total of 130 incidents across the state so far.

As of Tuesday afternoon, MDOT SHA crews had 78 active weather-related events, including 37 roadway closures due to high water and 35 associated with debris. At one time there were 18 weather related closures in St. Mary’s County, 19 in Cecil County and nine in Anne Arundel County, giving those areas the highest totals statewide. MDOT SHA’s Coordinated Highways Accident Response Team (CHART) implemented enhanced patrols along major interstates.    

Incidents cleared from roadways included:

• In Baltimore City, multiple lanes were closed on I-95 at the S. Moravia Road exit ramp due to high water, and were later reopened.   
• In Baltimore County, multiple lanes were closed on the I-695 Inner Loop at MD 151 due to high water.   
• In the Cambridge area, the US 50 bridge over the Choptank River was closed for a period for three overturned tractor trailers. One had the top half of its rig over the jersey wall. Drivers were transported to area hospitals and the bridge was reopened.   

Isolated showers are possible this evening and there is a chance that scattered showers and storms will return Wednesday afternoon and evening.

MDOT SHA urges motorists to take the following precautions:

• Don’t drive through standing water. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to sweep a person off his/her feet, and 12 inches of moving water to move the average sedan. Remember: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”   
• Keep an eye on local sources for the latest weather conditions and plan accordingly.   
• Delay trips during severe weather.   
• Use low-beam headlights when windshield wipers are activated.   
• Don’t try to move fallen tree branches as high-voltage wires may be intertwined.    
• Remember that if power is out at a traffic signal, state law requires ALL drivers at the intersection to treat it as a four-way stop.   

Motorists are urged to monitor the forecast as threat levels can change throughout the day and visit md511.maryland.gov for real-time travel alerts and conditions. Live road closure information and weather updates can be found on Twitter @mdsha or @md511State.

Editor’s Note

MDOT SHA has a record number of highway construction projects underway across the state to reduce congestion and improve safety.  From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders.  MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.