EXECUTIVE POLLITT ORDERS EVACUATION OF SEGMENTS OF WICOMICO COUNTY NEAR RIVERS IN ANTICIPATION OF AFFECTS OF HURRICANE IRENE

County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. has issued a Declaration of Emergency for Wicomico County in anticipation of hurricane/tropical-storm strength winds and torrential rains that may begin in the county on August 27^th as a result of Hurricane Irene. Mr. Pollitt urged citizens to NOT call 911 for hurricane-related information. He asks that citizens call a special “Hurricane Hotline” instead. That number is 410-548-9452.

After consultation with local emergency and public health personnel, Pollitt ordered the evacuation of segments of the county near the Nanticoke and Wicomico Rivers as part of the general Order. “While I know that it is greatly inconvenient to be evacuated,” emphasized Pollitt; “the experts have impressed upon me the real threat that the effects of this storm present to our county. There could be flooding up to 5 feet in lower areas; high winds and heavy rains upon saturated grounds could cause trees to fall on houses and roads. People on the wrong side of the flooding could become inaccessible to rescue workers should rescue be required. In brief, if Irene lives up to her expectations, we need to take every necessary precaution.”

Evacuation Details

----Residents of the following areas are ordered to begin evacuating at 10:00 A.M. today and to complete the process by 4:00 P.M. tomorrow, August 27^th. Tropical-force winds are anticipated to begin at about 4:00 P.M. on Saturday.

Areas in Wicomico County:

  ZIP CODES: All of 21840 (Nanticoke Post Office)

All of 21814 (Bivalve Post Office)

All of 21865 (Tyaskin Post Office)

21856 West of Nebo Road (Quantico Post Office)

                        21830 West of Athol Rd. (Hebron Post Office)

                        21822 North and West of Upper Ferry Road (Allen Post Office) 

                        All of 21837 (Mardela Post Office)

                       21861 North and West of Sharptown Road (Sharptown Post Office)

Areas In the City of Salisbury

Riverside Dr. from Douglas Rd. to Cooper Road on the West side of Riverside Drive.

Williams Landing Place, Wicomico St. (west of Riverside Dr.), Beauchamp St.,   Georgia Ave (west of Riverside Dr.)  Ridge Road, N. Pinehurst on the Wicomico river side, Riverside Pines Court.

Cotton Patch Island, Bell Island Trail, Fitzwater Street,

King Street, Ford Street, Birch Street, Burton Street, Willow Street, W. Main  Street between Mill Street and Fitzwater Street, Germania Circle,

Kent Ave, Queen Anne Street, Jefferson Street, Caroline Street, Dover Street, Liberty Street, Homer Street, Edgemore Avenue,  Alexander Ave, Bowl Drive, Raymond Drive.

Anchorage Nursing Home

----Besides alerts from the news media, affected residents will be notified by a pre-recorded phone call and loudspeaker announcements from fire and police vehicles.

Shelter

----Citizens are urged to seek shelter with friends/relatives or at a motel or hotel. If this is not possible, shelter is available at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD. The shelter opens at 10:00 A.M. today and is pet-accommodating.

----If citizens use the Civic Center shelter, it is suggested that they bring these items:

•         Use backpack etc.

•         Special items for infant, elderly or disabled members of the household

•         A change of clothes (several changes) 

•         List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food 

•         Copy of health insurance and identification cards 

•         Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items 

•         Toothbrush and toothpaste 

•         Blankets or sleeping bags

•         Waterless hand soap

•         Games, books etc.

•         Baby food & diapers

•         Toiletries

(Moist towelettes, toilet paper, garbage bags & ties for personal   sanitation)

•         “Go-Kit” for your pets/service animals (food, crate, medical records, ID tags, leash, etc.)

•          

•         Blankets or sleeping bags for each person

•         Prescription medications

•         Special items for infant (baby food/diapers) , elderly or disabled members of the household

•         Important Papers (Easy to access)

•         Flashlights

•         Identification

Closings

----Upper Ferry and the Whitehaven Ferry will not operate on Saturday and Sunday. Citizens are urged to check the Ferry Hotline 410-543-2765.

----The Landfill and transfer stations will close at noon on Saturday and will be closed on Sunday.  

In issuing the Emergency Order, Mr. Pollitt said, “Our county staff has all plans in place for the protection of our citizens if this weather event becomes as challenging as anticipated. I fully realize that being ordered to leave one’s home is truly disturbing. On the other hand, preventing risky rescue operations as a result of high winds and flooding is well worth it. I know the citizens of Wicomico County will rise to meet this difficult situation just as have our dedicated employees.”

UPDATE:

There was a small error in the zip code information in the release just sent. Here is the correction….

Under “Areas in Wicomico County” at the bottom of page 1, the copy reads:

All of 21837(Mardela Post Office)

21861 North and West of Sharptown Road(Sharptown Post Office )

It should read….

21837(Mardela Post Office) AND

21861 (Sharptown Post Office) North and West of Sharptown Road Only