Baltimore cold plan: City unveils emergency response strategy
Officials detailed protocols for health, housing, and road maintenance ahead of the winter season.
By Anthony Foster ·
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a citywide emergency plan for extreme cold on Monday, November 9. The briefing took place at the North Avenue Salt Dome and Brine Facility, a key storage site for road maintenance crews.
The strategy targets three specific areas of risk. Health Commissioner Michelle Taylor will lead public health protocols to monitor for hypothermia. Her department will also coordinate a hospital alert network to track patient needs during freezing nights.
Ernestina Simmons, director of the Mayor's Office of Homeless Services, confirmed the logistics for emergency shelters. The city aims to ensure no resident is left exposed to the elements during sub-zero temperatures. These facilities will open as part of the immediate response framework.
Transportation and emergency management officials outlined infrastructure safeguards. Interim Transportation Director Berke Attila explained the plan for clearing major roads using salt reserves. Joey Henderson, director of the Office of Emergency Management, will coordinate the overall operational response to service failures or storm closures.
The city presented this unified approach on Monday to prepare for the coming months. The plan consolidates efforts from multiple municipal agencies into a single operational framework for the 2026 winter season.
