WATER OUTAGE: @HoCoGov Utilities has the H2O off at Vollmerhausen Rd, #JessupMD, to repair a broken H2O valve. Outage is expected to last 6 hours & is also affecting Sheffield Ct, Castleford Dr, Cambridge Ct, Willington Pl, Ari Ct, Autumn Way, Linda Ct, Aspenwood Way, & Willow Way. For ?s or more info about this repair #HoCoMD, contact Utilities at 410-313-4900 or visit its "Emergency/Scheduled Repairs" website at howardcountymd.gov/public-wo….

REMINDER: Several Howard County Government offices and buildings will be physically closed Monday Aug 3-Friday Aug 7 for “Energy Saving Days." While these County buildings and offices will be physically closed, County employees will be working remotely and remain reachable by phone and email. To learn more about the County's Energy Saving Days, including a list of what buildings/offices are physically closed, what departments and offices are affected, and contact information for those departments and offices, visit howardcountymd.gov/energysav….

The Flood Watch has been canceled.

BUILDING CLOSURE: Due to an unexpected air conditioning outage, @HoCoGov's George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Dr, #EllicottCityMD, is closed today, 7/6. Building staff are working remotely & are available by phone &/or email (see tinyurl.com/ContactHoCoGov) as crews work to restore the system. We apologize for any inconvenience #HoCoMD & will provide an update once one is available.

.@HCPDNews will be CLOSING both directions of Little Patuxent Pkwy btw Symphony Woods Rd & Governor Warfield Pkwy from 6-11 pm this Saturday, 7/4 for @HoCoRec #HoCoJuly4Fireworks. In addition, Little Patuxent Pkwy btw Broken Land Pkwy & Smphony Woods Rd will be CLOSED from ~8-11 pm. Significant traffic delays in the Downtown #ColumbiaMD area can be expected #HoCoMD. For more info about the fireworks, visit howardcountymd.gov/july-4th-…. (2/3)

Finally those looking to beat the #HoCoJuly4thFireworks traffic, @CommuteHoward has compiled a list of biking directions from each of #ColumbiaMD’s Village Centers, as well as various other areas of #HoCoMD, to the Lakefront (see gohoward.org/biking-to-the-l…). Also, the Bike Corral is back at 10175 Wincopin Circle, where cyclist can securely park their bike for free on 7/4 btw 1-10 pm. (3/3)

REMINDER: @HoCoGov offices & more are CLOSED tomorrow, 7/3 for #July4th holiday. Alpha Ridge Landfill will be open on the 3rd; however, it will be closed on 7/4. Additionally, there will be REGULAR @HoCoRecycles Friday curbside trash, recycling, yard trim, & food scrap collection on the 3rd & for residents residing in #EllicottCityMD who receive Saturday curbside trash collection, those collections will still occur as scheduled on 7/4. To learn more about what is open/closed on 7/3 & 7/4, visit howardcountymd.gov/News06242…. Please note, for details re: availability of #HoCoMD designated cooling centers on 7/3 & 7/4, visit tinyurl.com/HoCoWarmingCooli….

TRAFFIC ALERT: Starting this Tues, 7/7, @MDSHA will be closing the Broken Land Pkwy EB ramp to SB US 29​ so crews can begin to realign the ramp to connect w/ Symphony Woods Rd, #ColumbiaMD. The ramp is expected to be closed til November, wx permit. During the closure, a detour will direct motorists on Broken Land Parkway to continue EB, take the exit to NB US 29, & travel to MD 175 to access SB US 29. For more info, visit roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/p…. Remember #HoCoMD, work zone safety is in your hands.

JULY 4th FIREWORKS CELEBRATION UPDATE: While @HoCoRec's #HoCoJuly4thFireworks celebration was originally slated to include a new drone show as part of @HoCoGov's #HoCo250 commemoration of #America250, the drone show has unfortunately been CXL. The @FAANews has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction grounding all rec & commercial drone flights w/in a 30 nautical mile radius of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for #July4th. Instead, Recreation & Parks plans to host the drone show later this summer. (1/3)

@HCDFRS & @HoCoHealth are reminding #HoCoMD that during extreme heat & high humidity evts, heat-related illnesses – #HeatCramps, #HeatExhaustion, & #HeatStroke, can increase significantly. If you absolutely must be outside during these days, pls take extra precautions, i.e., wear lightweight, loose fitting clothing, drink plenty of fluids, try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening, & take action when you see symptoms of heat-related illnesses. To learn more abt how to stay safe during an extreme heat event & the signs/symptoms heat-related illnesses, visit ready.gov/heat. (2/3)

WEATHER ALERT: @NWS_BaltWash has issued a HEAT ADVISORY for #HoCoMD, in effect from 11 am-8 pm, 7/1. Heat index (temp body feels when heat & humidity are combined) values up to 106° expected. Additionally, an EXTREME HEAT WATCH for Howard County has ALSO been issued, in effect from 11 am, 7/2 to 8 pm, 7/3. Heat index values up to 112° possible. (1/3)

TRAFFIC ALERT: At ~6 pm, 6/11, @HoCoGov Bureau of Utilities will be shutting down the 8500 block of Main Str, #EllicottCityMD, so crews can repair a H2O main break. Traffic will be detoured around the area using Main St to Ellicott Mills Dr to Court House Dr to Rogers Ave to Main St. The Bureau does not anticipate the work will affect H2O service in the area & the repair & corresponding road closure are expected to last 6 hrs. For ?s #HoCoMD, call Utilities at 410-313-4900 (410-313-2929 for after-hour emergencies).

WEATHER AWARE: @NWS_BaltWash has placed #HoCoMD under a Moderate Risk (level 4 out of 5) for severe weather today, 3/16, due to widespread & intense severe storms forecasted to move across our area this afternoon/evening. A squall line, which is a line of t-storms that precedes a cold front & is often characterized by high wind & heavy rain, is expected to develop early afternoon. While squall lines tend to move thru an area relatively quickly, these systems bring a higher potential for damage. Wind gusts associated w/ this system could reach upwards of 70-80 mph, resulting in the potential for downed trees & power lines. Large hail & isolated tornadoes are also possible. The primary window of concern is currently 3-7 pm. (1/2)