Potholes A Problem All Across Md. After Wild Weather

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- With the welcome warm up comes a horrible side effect--potholes. They're popping up all across the region.

Ava-joye Burnett found out just how bad they can be on drivers' wallets.

In some places, you can't drive a block without running into potholes. But after you read this story, you'll have additional motivation to avoid them at all cost.

All around the region, day or night, it's clear potholes are becoming a problem. WJZ found some in Baltimore County, Harford County, Baltimore City--potholes even wreaking havoc on the Capital Beltway.

"Try to drive around them, but it's dangerous... or drive really slow," said Patti Perler, Baltimore County.

And unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done beforehand. But once they appear, crews say they're ready.

"In the mid-Atlantic region, we're right in the middle of the freeze and then thaw and then freeze and then thaw. And that's exactly what does the damage that causes the potholes. But we do respond to them as quickly as we can," said Ellen Kobler, Baltimore County spokesperson.

Plunging down into potholes could be a shock to your car and to your wallet--so the advice from experts--do your best to dodge them.

"You're talking anywhere from $90 to thousands of dollars worth of damage, depending on what kind of vehicle you have and how deep and how hard you hit the pothole," said Chris Storms, AAA Mid-Atlantic.

For drivers, they want the potholes gone even faster than they appeared.

"It's a significant problem in this area and it should probably be tackled. But again, we're all going to be the ones paying for it either way," said Mandeep Gauthier.

Another piece of advice--follow the traffic pattern. If you see other drivers moving, slow down and follow the flow. That could save you a pretty penny.

You are the eyes for crews, who may not know where every single pothole is. If you see one, call 311 to report it.