Area braces for new snowstorm

"They're working very hard under trying conditions," Leopold said. Anne Arundel spent $2.2 million in the December snowstorm and another $3.5 million for last weekend's storm. The county has also arranged for an emergency shelter at Annapolis High School in the event of widespread power outages; the shelter, which also accommodates pets, had not been activated Tuesday night.

In Annapolis, workers have been plowing and salting streets since Friday afternoon but have yet to reach every street, said Phillip McGowan, a spokesman for Mayor Josh Cohen. Employees have been working in eight-hour shifts to avoid the strain of overtime pay on the city's budget, which is facing a $9 million deficit.

"This is an unprecedented event," McGowan said. "And really from a practical standpoint, our policies and procedures don't account for these levels. … It is going to be several days before every street in this city is clear."

In Howard County, Executive Ken Ulman said a new concern is the weight of snow on roofs, especially flat ones. Hospitals, schools and libraries are all at risk, he said.

Kevin Enright, the county's communications director, said two barns in Lisbon and West Friendship suffered damage from partially collapsed roofs Saturday night. No one was injured.

Bob Frances, director of inspections, licenses and permits for the county, said no one should try to climb onto a roof to inspect it. New or growing cracks in walls, doors that suddenly are not square, settling noises, groans, cracking or popping noises all could be signs of damage from weight, he said. People should leave a building showing those signs.

In Baltimore County, officials are offering residents free parking through Monday in the Towson area's four public garages in an effort to remove vehicles from side streets.

"The reality is that we have run out of places to put snow," said Don Mohler, county spokesman. "If you live nearby, think about moving your car into one of these garages."

In townhouse communities, plows will face problems clearing narrow roads already surrounded with piles of snow, he said. Some county contractors will use smaller equipment, such as Bobcats, to clear the narrower streets.

"People are used to having their roads cleared within 18 hours, but they have to realize this storm will not allow that," Mohler said. "We have never faced a challenge of this size."

Road crews plowed continually for about 60 hours to clear snow, and most side streets have a through pathway, he said. Preliminary cost estimates for snow removal from the weekend blizzard will likely exceed $4 million.

In Harford County, heavy snow has already caused several roofs to collapse, including one on a hangar housing several planes at the Fallston Airpark and another on a horse barn in the northern area of the county (no animals were injured). A store at the Campus Hills Shopping Center and a mobile home in Havre de Grace also sustained severe roof damages, officials said.

The county has received thousands of phone calls and e-mails from residents complaining about delays in clearing streets of snow. They are making every effort to explain "plowing priorities," said Roxanne Lynch, county communications director.

The county has set up a snow hot line at 410-638-3009 to give the status of roadways. About 90 percent of the county roads were clear before snow started falling again Tuesday. Forecasters have predicted Harford will be hit with the area's highest snowfall - as much as 20 inches - before the storm ends today.

"Patience is the word of the week," said Robert Thomas, county spokesman. "We have more than 1,000 miles of roads to maintain. It takes time to clear these roads. And that's days, not hours."

Baltimore Sun reporters Michael Dresser, Nicole Fuller, Larry Carson and Mary Gail Hare contributed to this article.