Baltimore To Open Government Offices, Recreation Centers

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore government offices will open Tuesday as the city continues to dig out from more than 2 feet of snow.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced Monday that city offices will open at 10 a.m. Tuesday. But she said non-essential employees could take liberal leave if they are unable to get to their offices. Rawlings-Blake urged businesses to "be flexible" and motorists to drive with caution.

Transportation Director William Johnson said the city will use two snow melters, in addition to more than 1,000 pieces of other removal equipment, to handle the snow.
Rawlings-Blake also said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh lent Baltimore a massive snowblower.

Schools will remain closed Tuesday. The mayor says the city has opened 19 recreation centers where children can eat from noon to 5 p.m.

Rawlings-Blake said she can't put a number on the cost of recovery efforts, but says "when you have a storm of historic proportions, the budget will be historic as well."

Although there were no storm-related deaths, Fire Chief Niles Ford said one person was rushed to the hospital Tuesday in critical condition after being struck by a piece of falling ice.

"We're always kind of conscious about what's going on under our feet," he said, "but what I need people to do now is start paying attention to what's going on over our head."

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