Region Utilities, Prepare For Ice

Municipalities and utilities across the region were marshaling equipment and extending work shifts yesterday to prepare for what the National Weather Service called a "significant winter storm" that could coat the area with ice today.

The Weather Service issued a winter storm warning last night for the entire Washington area except for Southern Maryland. Weather Service forecasters said they expected "significant freezing rain" today and tonight, sheathing the area in one-quarter- to one-half-inch of ice and impeding travel.

Forecasters said about an inch of snow and sleet could fall in parts of the area early today. But they said that mixture would change gradually through the afternoon and evening to freezing rain.

Freezing rain, which falls as liquid, turns to ice on contact with cold streets and sidewalks.

"Accumulating freezing rain will cause travel problems," the Weather Service warned.

Ice also threatens electrical service. As they monitored the storm, utilities were preparing equipment that might be needed for downed power lines.

"We'd rather have 15 inches of snow than an inch of ice," said Bob Dobkin, a Pepco spokesman. The weight of clinging ice breaks tree limbs and brings down power lines. "If it stays a quarter-inch, that wouldn't be too bad. If you get over a quarter-inch, it becomes problematic."

Le-Ha Anderson, spokeswoman for Dominion Virginia Power, said the utility had been watching the storm's forecasts since last week. "We've been talking to neighboring utilities in the event that we need assistance from outside our service area," she said.

Both utilities urged customers to consult company Web sites, http://www.dom.com or http://pepco.com/home/emergency/weather/, for advice. Pepco's customer care number is 202-833-7500. Dominion's customer service number is 888-667-3000.

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., which serves some customers in Montgomery, Howard and Prince George's counties, was also extending shifts and closely monitoring the weather. "We are certainly prepared for whatever Mother Nature might bring," said spokeswoman Linda Foy. BGE's customer service number is 410-685-0123. Its Web site is http://www.bge.com.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management urged people to have extra food, water, batteries, blankets and medication on hand in case of power outages and warned about the improper use of portable generators and heaters.

In the District, city officials said 102 snow plows loaded with salt and 50 pickup trucks with front-end plows were to hit the streets last night.

D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty made a last-minute addition to his schedule yesterday, stopping by one of the city's four salt domes to assure residents that his administration was well prepared to handle its first major winter storm.

D.C. Department of Transportation acting director Emeka Moneme said the city will use a new brine machine, which will help melt ice. Four city trucks are equipped to spray the brine, a liquid made up of about one part salt to three parts water. The liquid keeps ice from forming in temperatures as low as six degrees below zero and coats the road for up to three days.

Many school systems were waiting to assess road and sidewalk conditions today before making a decision on closures or delays. Fairfax County school officials, like others surveyed yesterday, said they would look at forecasts, consult with police and transportation agencies and send a handful of employees into neighborhoods for a final check.

In Southern Maryland, officials said even a small snowfall could make some rural roads too treacherous for buses. In Prince George's, maintenance crews were treating pavement yesterday with chemicals to help melt ice on contact.

Metro said it was installing de-icing equipment on 20 trains, adding protection to the undercarriage motors to prevent snow ingestion and short circuits. It also planned to use a special cable on the electrified third rail to keep it warm enough in critical areas to prevent snow and ice buildup. Metrorail will operate on a normal weekday schedule, from 5 a.m. to midnight. Metrobus will also run on a normal weekday schedule but will operate as road conditions dictate.

Staff writers Tara Bahrampour, Michael Alison Chandler, Maria Glod, Megan Greenwell, Nelson Hernandez, Lena Sun and Martin Weil contributed to this report.