Update on Hurricane Sandy Recovery Effort

. All travel restrictions were lifted at noon today.  City streets are open to all motorists.  Parking restrictions in Fells Point have been lifted except for streets closed due to flooding.  Police, Fire and EMS will maintain a strong and visible presence Tuesday night, as BGE continues to restore power. Early Voting will resume tomorrow and continue on Thursday, with an additional day of early voting added on Friday.  Hours have also been extended - early voting locations will be open all three days from 8am to 9pm. City Government and City Offices are all open beginning Wednesday, operating on normal schedules.  The Charm City Circulator will also resume service on Wednesday.  The city will have storm debris collection sites for citizens this week - please call 311 for locations and hours. The make-up trash day for today’s cancelled trash collection will occur on Saturday.  For citizens in need of shelter tonight, three shelters will remain open throughout the city.  Citizens using shelters should bring needed supplies, including medications when necessary. The shelters are staffed by Baltimore Housing and the American Red Cross at the following locations: War Memorial Building, Lexington and Gay Streets Oliver Community Center, 1400 East Federal Street Forest Park High School, 3701 Eldorado Avenue  Hurricane Sandy brought six and a half inches of rain, sustained winds of about 40 miles per hour, and wind gusts of 67 miles per hour. As of this morning, the City has received reports of more than 230 trees down - more than half in the roads.  More than 40 forestry crews have been deployed to clear downed trees from critical roadways.  Residents are asked to call 311 with reports of downed trees and other storm related damage.  Residents can also report downed trees by downloading Baltimore’s 311 Mobile App. Numerous dangers remain on city streets, including downed power lines, heavy debris, and flooding. People should not drive or walk through standing water.  There are seventeen traffic signals out of power throughout the city. Many more are running on temporary generators. Residents are urged advised to treat these intersections as four-way stops - it's the law. If you see downed wires, please call BGE immediately at 1-877-778-2222. .