Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

Over 160,000 consumers have lost power nationwide following the weekend’s major storm, and according to Governor Martin O’Malley, Tuesday’s harsh weather could double that number.

“[It] will likely be in excess of that … double that,” O’Malley said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

O’Malley went on to note that the power outages experienced in his state and others could hamper attempts to clear roads, since resources will need to be diverted toward leading crews to the sources of power loss.

According to the governor, 6,000 homes have lost power in his state.

In response to the continuing snowfall, Maryland is poised to open more shelters for those without heat or electricity and will deploy members of the National Guard to various locations across the state.

Maryland will also seek to have the snow’s effects deemed an emergency by the Federal Government, which would require the U.S. to reimburse the state with 75% of the costs related to public safety. A similar appeal made after December’s smaller storm has not yet received a response.