Baltimore Unifies Agencies to Combat 2026 Cold Snap

Mayor Brandon M. Scott is coordinating a unified citywide response to the approaching extreme cold season, aiming to prevent service failures and protect residents during the winter months. The administration presented its contingency plan on Tuesday, November 10, following a briefing held at the North Avenue Salt Dome and Brine Facility.

The facility on North Avenue serves as the primary storage hub for the city's road maintenance crews. Choosing this location emphasized the logistical priority of keeping major roads clear during storms. The plan addresses three distinct areas of public service to ensure a synchronized response to the weather.

Dr. Michelle Taylor, commissioner of the Baltimore Health Department, will lead the public health initiative. Her team will establish monitoring protocols to detect hypothermia cases early. They will also coordinate a hospital alert network to manage the influx of patients seeking treatment for cold-related illnesses.

Ernestina Simmons, director of the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services, is managing the shelter operations. She will announce the logistics for opening emergency shelters to ensure no one sleeps outside during freezing nights. The goal is to provide immediate access to warmth for the city's most vulnerable residents.

Berke Attila, interim director of transportation, will detail the strategy for clearing main roads. He will explain how the city will utilize its salt reserves to maintain mobility. Joey Henderson, director of the Office of Emergency Management, will oversee the general operational response. He will coordinate actions taken during service outages or storm-related closures.

The announcement sets the framework for the coming months of harsh weather. City leaders presented the plan as a single, integrated effort rather than a collection of separate departmental responses.