Once removed, they should use dump trucks and dump it in the harbor...that's what they have to do in upstate ny/michigan and other heavy snow areas..

The city's response to this storm has been abysmal. I don't want to hear excuses..it stopped snowing almost 48 hours ago, and my girlfriend's sister spun out on 295 yesterday. Yes, she was probably a little too confident being from upstate NY (where crews actually work and drop their plows), but 295 not plowed!!?? What are these people doing with their time? I saw two 3-axle plows drive on Light St. with their plows up! Drop them and get some work done! The residents certainly have done their part...

PART of me can understand side streets, as there are so many of them and so few plows...but main roads? get them done!

All this ineptitude can be yours for a few thousand dollars in property taxes per year...

We ran into this while clearing a path out for our cars on the street in Federal Hill last night. The only apparent solution was to pile the snow higher between the back half of the car and the street, or toss it across the sidewalk next to the neighbor's steps.

Meanwhile, the solution in our office park's lot was to clear the two rows of spaces adjacent to the two buildings, and pile the snow in the middle two rows. I guess it's a good thing only three of us made it in...

We're about to head out to shovel our alley street near Patterson Park. I think we're going to put the snow in the alley (the part where the trash truck doesn't go). I know it's not an ideal solution, but we already have five foot high drifts in front of all of the houses on our block just from shoveling a walkway (not the whole sidewalk, just an 18 inch path!)

Frankie's right, there's no excuse for not having all the main roads clear at this stage of the game. Where's all that manpower they had to clear the Ravens stadium in December? I guess us regular taxpayers don't rate.

The problem with the storm drain idea is that it is cold enough that the snow you put down there doesn't melt quick enough to handle a large volume. I know I was trying this trick when digging out my car.

After that wasn't working I switch to building a snow wall between my car and what passes for a lane on my street.

I live in a rowhouse in the city, and near the middle of the block -- there is no WAY I'm going to carry every shovelful down to the storm drain. Instead, I stack as much of it along houses as possible, and we've now got five-foot-high walls of snow around the curbs with breaks to get into the street so you can get to your car.

I still wound up having to toss quite a bit of snow into the street, but I tried to spread it around. By the time people drive over it for a day or so, it's pretty much smashed out. If seeing snow in the roadway makes someone slow down when he drives up my street, I just consider that a bonus.

@FrankieSez say all you want about any snow removal problems in the city but don't blame them for a a road (295) they aren't responsible for.

We live in a townhome community - very tight when it comes to where to put snow. We ended up filling a wheelbarrow and taking it to one of the few grassy spots in the community and then throwing the snow there. I had to shovel out our cluster mailbox and make sure no one put snow where the mailman goes. Unfortunately the storm drain and fire hydrant seem to be gone as everyone dumped their snow in that spot. I hope to be able to do something about them when I have strength. Our HOA probably won't do anything. They are too worried about putting in landscape lighting and a new fancy sign to do something of real value to the residents.

I read the idea about putting in down the storm drains. I thought this is why they discontinued putting snow into the inner harbor, because this creates a enviomental issue. This is where the storm drains eventually lead to. My suggestion is to truck snow to all big open fields or unused property. Look at all these closed up car dealerships, The closed giant store mega lot on joppa road. Bel air park on Walther Blvd. There are so many unused ares that could be utilized.

We only shoveled a path on one sidewalk on my narrow street. Snow from the street (shoveled, not plowed...even in regular snowfalls the city plows don't make it here) went on the other sidewalk. The drifts are taller than me.

Totally disagree with FrankieSez and all others who are complaining about snow removal. I don't think you realize how monumental a task this is. I'm from Pittsburgh, which is used to a lot of snow, and they are having just as many problems there now as we are down here. Plus, they have much more powerful snowplows than Maryland does. Don't believe me? Read the latest from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Firefighters check a downed wire Sunday on West North Avenue in Manchester. They determined it was live and blocked off the street.
State summons National Guard
They'll assist fire, ambulance and police as public works crews in Allegheny County continue to clear the streets of nearly two feet of snow that fell.

2 dead, dozens sickened trying to stay warm
People scrambling to replace lost electrical service by using generators or other heat sources were overcome with carbon monoxide poisoning.
From KDKA: School closings across the region
Next 24 hours important in efforts to clear streets
And there's more snow on the way.

http://www.post-gazette.com/

P.S. And dumping it in the harbor and waterways IS what they did back in 2003. But that's (obviously) slow and laborious. It doesn't just happen with the snap of a finger. And then the waterways start to flood. Which is also what happened back in 2003.

I suppose I was referring to the general public administration response to the storm. I realize that state and interstate highways are not within the scope of responsibility for a city government/dpw, but do you not agree that it is UNACCEPTABLE that major roadways have not been cleared? I realize the state and local jurisdictions do not have tremendous equipment/personnel resources, but with a state of emergency, is there not federal funding that can support engaging private contractors or other companies with equipment to remove the snow?

To me, it is a representation of the general sense of apathy that plagues this state and city, both of which would otherwise be fantastic places to live.

Not to mention all the bozos and "I'm indispensible!" types who insist on driving in this mess and ending up spinning out, getting into accidents, ditching their cars, and blocking the roads, thus making it impossible for plows -- or emergency vehicles -- to pass!

I just emailed my idea to the Govenors office. Does anyone else think this is a good idea, because I don't know who else to contact. If everyone agrees or knows someone, let's get this idea rolling.
Small business contractors could be hired by the state to instill jobs.

There have been oodles of articles about getting State of Emergency federal funding -- it's not easy. It's not as simple as a Governor just declaring it and then bingo! the money flows. You have to qualify for it, and according to the articles I've read in the Sun and WashPost, Maryland didn't, OVERALL, get enough snow. I know, sounds crazy, but apparently 28 inches as official total is the minimum.

Anyway, even if that changes, we still have to deal with it now (and after Tues/Wed), and there are simply not enough snowplows, not enough human beings to drive them (and don't forget that those people themselves have to be able to get to work), even though we have hundreds of drivers on loan from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio, and even though the National Guard is out there helping. There are tens of thousands of roads to be cleared. It is an enormous task!

I spotted a neighbor next door doing the same pickup truck haul away of snow too. We have such little yards in the 2-car garage townhouses that there's not enough of a little front garden to stick the snow there. I put mine there, covered my front walkway, covered the sidewalk, and some snow was still going out into the street. Eventually the bobcats will come get it, but there's 1 passable lane so things are good. Loading the snow into a pickup and then dumping it on common land seems to be working well. I don't have a pickup though.

I have been rather surprised at the number of people who aren't able to drive in the snow. I saw multiple vehicles yesterday somehow get stuck off the side of the road for no apparent reason. Then they sit there and floor it in reverse to get out. Please people, use the rocking technique! Snow removal here is somewhat better than rural middle-of-nowhere PA, but even the best snow-removal can't help when half a car is blocking the road.

Not the best solution (for the unfortunate rowhome owner) but we put it in the parking areas of the unsold & un-occupied homes on our block. Luckily (right now) there are 3 to take the 3-4' drifts in the street and the snow from the side & back alleys. Those places won't be selling this week; nor next either as long as this white stuff stays around.

There is no way that the City can plow every street.Especially the small alley streets that Baltimore is famous for.

On my block i started to shovel the street on Sunday morning.Within 30 minutes a neighbor came out to help.Within an hour we had 7 people helping.by the time we got near the end there were around 15 people shoveling snow and hauling trashcans of snow into the part of the alley where the trashtrucks dont go.

My point is that unless a block is full of ONLY handicapped or elderly people, there is no reason that people cant come out to shovel the street. Especially since most people are off work for a few days.

It does not have to be every single person on the block.I dont think that there are many blocks in Baltimore that dont have at least 10 able bodied people that can shovel.

Of course , if your elderly or handicapped you shouldnt have to shovel.But there are more than enough people who CAN shovel.

For those that complain that "thats why i pay taxes!" all i can say is that paying taxes doesnt mean that you have no responsibilities to your community!

A lot of people in Baltimore pay good money to go to gyms to exercise.Well , this is free exercise.

To all of those who DID shovel out their streets ,may i just congratulate you on a job well done and thank you for your community spirit.

I live in Belvedere Square in a townhome community in which parking pads are located in the alley. Although it would be nice to have neighbors help shovel the alley, my neighbors obviously do not care. I along with two people over the age of 60 shoveled the entire alley. In addition, we had to clear the snow that pushed to block the alley entrance from the snow plows that plowed the M and T Bank parking lot. When I asked the person plowing "please do not block the alley", he yelled and was very hostile towards me. After we cleared the alley, my neighbors, young adult males, decided to clean their cars off , leave their homes and drive out to the main roads using the clear alley. Where is neighbors helping neighbors in this city !! I t