Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott launches volunteer Snow Corps to help residents clear sidewalks after winter storm

City launches pilot program to match volunteers with neighbors needing help after heavy snowfall

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has called on residents to volunteer to help clear snow and ice for neighbors who may be unable to safely shovel on their own, as the city continues to manage the effects of a major winter storm that brought widespread accumulations and hazardous travel conditions.

The initiative, branded the “Baltimore Snow Corps,” is structured as a neighbor-to-neighbor assistance effort intended to connect people willing to shovel with residents requesting help. City officials have described it as a pilot program designed to support seniors, people with disabilities, and others who face barriers to clearing sidewalks during winter weather.

How the Snow Corps is designed to work

Residents who need assistance and residents who want to volunteer are being directed through the city’s 311 system. Requests and volunteer sign-ups can be submitted by calling 311 or using the city’s 311 web portal or mobile app. A small team operating from the city’s Emergency Operations Center was scheduled to monitor and match requests on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, and Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, with an emphasis on pairing volunteers with nearby residents.

City officials have also emphasized that the volunteer effort is not a replacement for municipal snow operations. Participation does not guarantee that help will be available, and the city has stated it cannot guarantee response times or completion of requests.

• Residents needing help: submit a sidewalk-clearing assistance request through 311.
• Residents willing to help: register as a volunteer through 311.
• Matching: coordinated through the Emergency Operations Center during the initial days of the storm response.

Storm response and ongoing road operations

The Snow Corps rollout came as the city maintained an activated Emergency Operations Center and continued winter storm operations under a state of emergency declared Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. City transportation officials reported a full activation of snow crews and contractors, with more than 700 vehicles available for plowing and treatment efforts.

Municipal operations have focused on major routes—arterial and collector streets—and key corridors serving hospitals and schools. Officials warned that neighborhood side streets may take longer to clear as crews prioritize routes needed for emergency access and essential travel.

The city has urged residents to limit travel unless necessary, clear vehicles fully before driving, and maintain distance from plows as road treatment continues.

Sidewalk responsibilities, safety reminders, and enforcement

City guidance emphasizes that pedestrian access depends heavily on property owners and occupants clearing sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Baltimore’s snow-removal rules require clearing a passable pathway on sidewalks within defined time limits following the end of snowfall, with potential fines for noncompliance.

Along with the Snow Corps effort, city safety messaging has highlighted the risks of cold-weather exertion and the need to shovel carefully, take breaks, and check on neighbors. Residents have also been asked to clear space around fire hydrants to support emergency response.

Parking restrictions on snow emergency routes remain in effect during storm operations to enable curb-to-curb plowing and salting, with illegally parked vehicles subject to enforcement actions.