The State of Maryland
Executive Department 

EXECUTIVE ORDER 01.01.2026.02

Declaration of a State of Emergency - Winter Storm

WHEREAS,        The State of Maryland is subject to a variety of hazards and disasters, including an impending emergency as defined in Section 14-101(c) of the Public Safety Article of the Maryland Code;

WHEREAS,        Having been advised and informed by the Maryland Department of Emergency Management that, as a result of a significant winter storm expected to impact the State beginning Saturday afternoon, January 24, 2026, and continuing through Monday, January 26, 2026, including the risk of heavy snow, icing, hazardous road conditions, power outages and sustained temperatures below freezing persisting through the end of next week, action is needed to prepare to protect the lives and property of Maryland residents and visitors;

WHEREAS,        Because of the potential impacts of this severe weather and in preparation for all contingencies, an emergency exists statewide;

WHEREAS,          Transportation, power utility, water utility, and other critical infrastructures may be negatively affected by the impacts of the storm;

WHEREAS,        State and local government agencies may require additional resources and support to implement proactive actions and meet the public safety and welfare needs of Maryland residents who may be negatively impacted by the consequences of the storm and require sheltering due to power outages, transportation disruptions, and other unforeseen impacts of winter weather;

WHEREAS,        In order to waive certain regulations to facilitate emergency response and restoration activities, to activate certain emergency contracts, and to facilitate the deployment of requisite resources within provisions of Maryland law;
 
NOW, THEREFORE,        I, WES MOORE, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF MARYLAND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO TITLE 14 OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ARTICLE OF THE MARYLAND CODE, AND BASED ON THE ABOVE FINDINGS, HEREBY DECLARE THAT A STATE OF EMERGENCY EXISTS IN THE STATE AND THAT PREPARATIONS MUST BE MADE FOR THE ANTICIPATED SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JANUARY 24, AND HEREBY PROCLAIM THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE ORDER, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:

A. The Maryland Department of Emergency Management is hereby directed to coordinate the State preparedness and response to impacts of the winter storm.

B. All other appropriate State authorities are hereby authorized to activate their emergency preparedness plans and engage, deploy, use, and coordinate available resources in furtherance of those plans.

C. The Maryland National Guard is hereby called into State service. 

GIVEN Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the State of Maryland, in the City 
of Annapolis, this 23rd Day of January 2026.

Wes Moore 
Governor    

ATTEST:

Susan C. Lee         
Secretary of State