DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Sunday, August 28, 2011
EXCLUSIVE: Severe Damage From Hurricane Irene On Eastern Shore Of Maryland
BEFORE
AFTER
While Governor O'Malley, County Executive Rick Pollitt, Mayors Jim Ireton and Rick Mehan depended on the professionals at WBOC, obviously Salisbury News had it all wrong.
How could I have been so inaccurate.
As the images above clearly show how devastation, I should apologize for being so harsh on the Main Stream Media and their "SEVERE WEATHER" reports.
Pictures clearly do NOT lie. I should have known to trust the media and of course our politicians first.
Salisbury News Advertisers Open For Business
Boonies, Specific Gravity and tasting room at EVO are opened for business!
Red Roost will open tomorrow!
Red Roost will open tomorrow!
Wicomico County Public Schools To Open 2011-12 School Year As Scheduled Monday, Aug. 29
Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen announced Sunday that Wicomico County Public Schools will open on time and as scheduled on Monday, Aug. 29.
Reminder of the schedule for the opening of the 2011-12 school year:
The new school year will begin Monday, Aug. 29 for most Wicomico students. Students in grades 1-6 and 9 will attend that day, with students in prekindergarten and kindergarten reporting as scheduled by their assigned school. (Exceptions to the above: At Pittsville Elementary and Middle, all grades attend. At Mardela Middle and High, only grade 6 attends on Aug. 29.) Please note that many schools have new start and end times, listed below.
On Tuesday, Aug. 30, all students in grades 1-12 will attend, with students in prekindergarten and kindergarten reporting as scheduled by their assigned school.
Reminder of the schedule for the opening of the 2011-12 school year:
The new school year will begin Monday, Aug. 29 for most Wicomico students. Students in grades 1-6 and 9 will attend that day, with students in prekindergarten and kindergarten reporting as scheduled by their assigned school. (Exceptions to the above: At Pittsville Elementary and Middle, all grades attend. At Mardela Middle and High, only grade 6 attends on Aug. 29.) Please note that many schools have new start and end times, listed below.
On Tuesday, Aug. 30, all students in grades 1-12 will attend, with students in prekindergarten and kindergarten reporting as scheduled by their assigned school.
August 28, 2011
Cat Found On Hammond School Road
Joe - would you please post this on the site for Weeping Willow Kennels? They temporarily have no internet and want this animal to find its family.
Weeping Willow Kennels rescued this cat on Friday, August 26 on Mt. Hammond School Road. It was next to their dumpster...skinny, scared and very hungry. It has been fed and kept safe in their cattery. I believe it's a bluepoint ragdoll. This is quite obviously someone's pet as it is not full of mats in the coat. If this is your cat, please call Weeping Willow Kennels at 410-548-1515. Bring proof of ownership (vet record, pictures, etc.) please (due to the breed).
Thanks!
Ola Meadowcroft
Weeping Willow Kennels
Weeping Willow Kennels
Wicomico County Opens Landfill & Transfer Stations But No One To Man Them
Someone went around and unlocked the locks but you were on your own once you took the chain off and opened the gates.
The line at the main landfill was just unbelievable. Pollitt must have been sitting back with Ireton and Mehan having a cold one today, along with County Employees.
Wicomico County Schools To Open On Time Monday
Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen announced today that Wicomico County Public Schools will open on schedule and on time Monday, August 29.
Taxpayers Lined Up To Rte. 50
One would think that Wicomico's Emergency plan would include opening debris station up to the public early. This photograph was taken at 12:55 p.m., and as you can see the people were lined-up all the way out to the RT 50 intersection.
City Of Salisbury Hurricane Update Sunday
The City of Salisbury has reduced the level of operation of its Emergency Operations Center from a Level 4 - Full Scale Activation to a Level 2 - Watch - event/disaster may occur - notification is made to agencies and support staff who would need to take action as part of their responsibilities.
* Financial estimates for the cost of the storm have begun.
* Traffic control lights are operational - 99%
* Fire and Police departments are still functioning at full staffing
* Ambulance Humvees - 2 during high-tide (approx. 3:30 pm)
* 1 MP Humvee requested for highwater areas - to assist police
* Tree down on Truitt St. SPW has been dispatched to clear the road.
* At Approximately 2:00 AM Sunday morning, due to extreme high tide, 750,000 gallons of 100% treated effluent overflowed into a retaining ditch at the Salisbury Wastewater Treatment Plant. Ultimately that treated effluent made its way into the Wicomico River. The extreme high tide kept the effluent from discharging from the normal WWTP outfall pipe. Again the overflow was already 100% treated effluent from the plant that was, ultimately headed for the Wicomico River. MDE has been alerted to the event.
* Next Salisbury City Operations meeting at Station 16 from 5-6 PM today August 28, 2011 for damage assessment follow up and future plans.
The Salisbury Government Office Building will be open tomorrow morning, Monday August 29, 2011.
* Financial estimates for the cost of the storm have begun.
* Traffic control lights are operational - 99%
* Fire and Police departments are still functioning at full staffing
* Ambulance Humvees - 2 during high-tide (approx. 3:30 pm)
* 1 MP Humvee requested for highwater areas - to assist police
* Tree down on Truitt St. SPW has been dispatched to clear the road.
* At Approximately 2:00 AM Sunday morning, due to extreme high tide, 750,000 gallons of 100% treated effluent overflowed into a retaining ditch at the Salisbury Wastewater Treatment Plant. Ultimately that treated effluent made its way into the Wicomico River. The extreme high tide kept the effluent from discharging from the normal WWTP outfall pipe. Again the overflow was already 100% treated effluent from the plant that was, ultimately headed for the Wicomico River. MDE has been alerted to the event.
* Next Salisbury City Operations meeting at Station 16 from 5-6 PM today August 28, 2011 for damage assessment follow up and future plans.
The Salisbury Government Office Building will be open tomorrow morning, Monday August 29, 2011.
Post Hurricane Safety Tips
(Salisbury, Md.) Hurricane Irene caused numerous power outages and resource shortages, making daily tasks a challenge for many Marylanders. Wicomico County health officials offer the following tips to help citizens perform storm cleanup activities and stay safe during the recovery process:
FOOD SAFETY
In the event of a power outage, perishable foods including meats, dairy products and eggs that have not been refrigerated for more than four hours and foods contaminated by flooding need to be discarded.
If your power comes back on after food in your freezer has begun to thaw, use an appliance thermometer to check the temperature in your freezer. Food stored in the freezer at 40° F or colder is safe and may be refrozen. If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine the safety. Do not rely on appearance or odor, when in doubt, throw it out. Wash hands after contact with raw meats and poultry.
WATER PURIFICATION
After a flooding event, consider water from wells and the community water suppliers unsafe until it has been tested for safe drinking conditions. When boiling water, bring it to a rolling boil for at least 3 minutes. You can add household chlorine bleach to your water to disinfect it. Do not use bleach with fragrances or detergents. Add 8 drops of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) per gallon of water and allow it to sit for 30 minutes before using it.
FLOOD SAFETY
Walking, swimming or driving through floodwaters is extremely dangerous. If you are driving and come upon floodwaters, stop, turn around, and go another way. A shallow depth of fast-moving floodwater produces more force than most people imagine. Even six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off your feet and two feet of water will carry away most automobiles. Do not drive where water is covering the road. The pavement could already be washed away underneath.
FOOD SAFETY
In the event of a power outage, perishable foods including meats, dairy products and eggs that have not been refrigerated for more than four hours and foods contaminated by flooding need to be discarded.
If your power comes back on after food in your freezer has begun to thaw, use an appliance thermometer to check the temperature in your freezer. Food stored in the freezer at 40° F or colder is safe and may be refrozen. If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine the safety. Do not rely on appearance or odor, when in doubt, throw it out. Wash hands after contact with raw meats and poultry.
WATER PURIFICATION
After a flooding event, consider water from wells and the community water suppliers unsafe until it has been tested for safe drinking conditions. When boiling water, bring it to a rolling boil for at least 3 minutes. You can add household chlorine bleach to your water to disinfect it. Do not use bleach with fragrances or detergents. Add 8 drops of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) per gallon of water and allow it to sit for 30 minutes before using it.
FLOOD SAFETY
Walking, swimming or driving through floodwaters is extremely dangerous. If you are driving and come upon floodwaters, stop, turn around, and go another way. A shallow depth of fast-moving floodwater produces more force than most people imagine. Even six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off your feet and two feet of water will carry away most automobiles. Do not drive where water is covering the road. The pavement could already be washed away underneath.
GENERATOR SAFETY
Portable generators can be hazardous if used improperly.
To avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning:Operate generators outdoors only in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain (preferably under a canopy, open shed, or carport). Never use a generator indoors or in attached garages.To avoid electrocution:
Portable generators can be hazardous if used improperly.
To avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning:Operate generators outdoors only in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain (preferably under a canopy, open shed, or carport). Never use a generator indoors or in attached garages.To avoid electrocution:
- Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy duty, outdoor rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load.
- Observe the generator manufacturer's instructions for safe operation.
- Do not plug the generator into a wall outlet.
- If connecting the generator into the house wiring is necessary, have a qualified electrician hook up the standby electrical system.
CHAINSAW SAFETY
With thousands of trees down across the state, many people may choose to use chainsaws to remove this debris. The following tips will help you avoid serious injury when using these powerful tools:
With thousands of trees down across the state, many people may choose to use chainsaws to remove this debris. The following tips will help you avoid serious injury when using these powerful tools:
- Wear protective clothing, including gloves to give you a good grip, a hard hat, safety goggles, hearing protection, steel-toed shoes with non-slip soles and trim-fitted clothing that won't get caught in the chain.
- Follow instructions in the owner's manual for starting and operating the saw.
- Stand to the side of the saw so you won't follow the cut through into your leg.
- Hold the saw parallel to the ground with your left arm straight for better control and to reduce the chance of "kick back."
- Keep both hands on the saw while it is running.
- Avoid cutting above mid-chest height.
- Never try to cut a tree with a diameter greater than the length of the chainsaw blade.
- Be extremely careful when cutting limbs or stems of trees that are bent or under tension; the branch can spring back into the operator.
- Carry the saw below the waist with the engine off and bar pointed to the rear.
- Do not work alone. Have a companion nearby and keep bystanders and helpers at a safe distance so they will not be injured by the saw, flying chips, sawdust or a falling tree.
Health Officials Offer Safety Tips about Mold after Hurricane Irene
(Salisbury, Md.) – Delmarva residents who have flooded homes as a result of Hurricane Irene may also find themselves facing the growth of mold.
Health officials from the Wicomico County Health Department caution that the health effects from mold can be severe for those with pre-existing health conditions such as allergies and asthma.
Knowing a little about mold may help survivors safely recover from the flooding that followed Hurricane Irene. Some commonly asked questions are the following:
Q. Where are mold spores found?
A. Mold spores are everywhere. Mold thrives in continuously wet conditions and can start to grow within 24 hours after a flood.
Q. What problems can mold spores cause?
A. Mold spores can cause allergy symptoms, headaches, bronchitis, asthma attacks, lung irritation and skin rashes. People with asthma or other pulmonary illnesses, compromised immune systems, infants and the elderly are more likely to develop mold-related illnesses.
Q. What can people do to control mold in and around the home, especially after a flood?
A. Local health officials offer the following suggestions to control mold:
- Flooded homes should be thoroughly dried out, a process that may take several days or weeks.
- Wet carpet and padding should be removed and discarded.
- Porous materials – those that absorb water – such as sheetrock, some paneling, fiberglass insulation, cellulose insulation, mattresses, pillows, wallpaper and upholstered furniture should be discarded.
- Sheetrock and other porous wallboards should be removed to at least 12 inches above the water line. Check for wicking, the upward movement of moisture to higher levels.
- Clean wall studs where wallboard has been removed and allow them to dry completely.
- Floors, concrete or brick walls, countertops, plastic, glass and other non-porous materials should be washed with soap and water and then with a solution of one to two cups of bleach to a gallon of water and allowed to completely dry.
- Wear rubber gloves and eye protection when using bleach and make sure area is well ventilated. Don't mix bleach and ammonia. Consider using an N-95 rated dust mask if heavy concentrations of mold are already growing.
- Materials that cannot be effectively cleaned and dried should be placed in sealed plastic bags to prevent the spread of mold spores.
- People allergic to mold and people with asthma or other respiratory conditions should not do mold cleanup.
Q. What do people need to know about professional assistance with mold problems?
A. If large areas of mold growth are present, professional clean up assistance may be needed. People and companies conducting inspections for mold or offering mold remediation services in the area are required to be licensed by the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Q. Where can people get more information?
A. More information about mold and cleaning up after floods can be found online at: www.epa.gov/mold/flood.
Or you may call your local health department.
Local Health Department Contact Information
- Somerset: 443-523-1700
- Wicomico: 410-546-4446
- Worcester: 443-736-6302
IN AND AROUND DELMARVA TODAY
ADKINS BUILDING SIGN
SALISBURY ZOO
GORDY ROAD
A special thanks to Gary Bullard.
Super Fresh In West Ocean City Is Open
LATE DELIVERIES TODAY
"The newspaper apologizes for these service delays caused by the storm."
How about, the Mayor and County Executive, heck, even the Governor all told the Daily Times to STAY OFF THEIR ROADS! ALL LIBERALS! That includes the Daily Times and their liberal agenda. Oh, but its the storms fault. DUH!
YAHOO, WE'RE FREE!!!!!
WOW, it feels so much better now knowing we're not breaking the law.
FALSE ALARM CITATIONS SUSPENDED
During the period of Saturday, August 27, 2011 into Sunday, August 28, the Salisbury Police Department responded to an unusually high number of false intrusion alarms for both businesses and residential citizens due to the high winds and rain associated with Hurricane Irene. Since these false alarms were storm generated the Salisbury Police will be suspending all false alarm citations that were issued between 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 27, through 5:00 pm on Sunday, August 28. All citations written and issued during this time period will be voided. Business owners and citizens that were issued citations during this time period do not need to make contact with the police department, the citations will be voided without any further action on their part.
Any questions regarding the voiding of these citations may be directed to the Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165.
Any questions regarding the voiding of these citations may be directed to the Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165.
Local Gas Prices
Dear Mr. Albero,
First off great job and keep up the good work! on to the subject of local gas prices. I am not sure this would be 'gouging' but the Dash In in Willards has raised the price of their gas by 19 cents a gallon in a matter of about 5 hrs. Is gas that hard to find right now?
I just feel this is really quit a jump in price and that they are just taking advantage of the fact that we have a major storm coming to the area. About 4;30 this afternoon I paid $3.45 a gal. and as of 10:30 tonight it has gone to $3.64! I most certainly will drive somewhere else for my gas unless this is now the average price in the area. Must be a great jump in crude prices or all of a sudden the supplies are at a critical low! Just felt people should know to shop around or about 20 cents more a gallon for no real reason other than to take advantage of unknowing consumers.
Thanks.
Parsonsburg County Landfill - Not Open at 10:30 a.m.
People are already waiting at the Wicomico County Debris landfill to remove debris from the hurricane. What happened to Wicomico's disaster plan? Why hasn't the landfill taken these preliminary emergency measures. This photo was taken at 10:30 a.m. this morning.
The sun is shining - though a bit breezy - but the landfill is closed.
DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY TO BE LIFTED AT 11AM
Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. has concluded a "windshield" tour of the county and has declared that the State of Emergency is lifted as of 11AM today. Pollitt issued the Declaration of Emergency on Friday at 730AM in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Irene. Pollitt said that he was informed that Mayor Ireton would take the same action at the same time in the City of Salisbury.
Before lifting the Order, Pollitt sought the opinion of the Directors of Emergency Services and Public Works, the Wicomico County Sheriff and area fire companies.
Pollitt said that there are about 300 evacuees still at the Wicomico County Youth & Civic Center. They will be served lunch. The shelter will close at 2PM.
Pollitt urged caution as he observed many downed trees and debris.
Publishers Note: Well, who gives a crap what the Mayor has to say now anyway.
Here's The Cause Of The Power Outage In Parsonsburg Last Night
Above is a photo of a tree that blew across power lines last night on Holt Road in Parsonsburg.
This occurred at about 5:15 pm. Power was out all night for those affected customers and restored at about 9:15 this morning.
-Daddio
The Aftermath Of Irene
As you can see from the images above, Irene wasn't Jack! Someone needs to open up a "Used Lumber" store in Ocean City and Salisbury. Rather than throwing away all that plywood, maybe someone with enough smarts could put a few hundred thousand dollars in their pocket by re-selling it. I mean, who cares if there's spray paint on one side saying, "OPEN" on it.
Ocean City is re-opening Mr. Ireton. Are you going to lift that curfew, or what? One thing I do know, Salisbury News will be the last place to find out if he does. LOL
Ocean City Announces Re-Entry Plan
Now that Hurricane Irene has passed Ocean City, Emergency Management officials announce the re-entry plan. Re-entry for citizens will be conducted in two phases as follows:
First phase: Property owners, tenants, business owners and their employees may re-enter with proper identification such as driver’s license showing local address beginning at 9 a.m.
Second phase: Ocean City will be reopened to the general public at noon today.
The beach will be opened, but access to the surf will be restricted today.
Updated information will be posted on the Town’s website, http://www.oceancitymd.gov/, the Emergency Services recorded information line at 410-723-6666, facebook.com/oceancity and on Twitter @ townofoceancity. You can receive our twitter messages via text on your smartphone! Text follow TownofOceanCity to 40404 in the United States.
Salisbury News Experienced The Biggest Saturday In Our History
I too grew tired of WBOC covering so much of Delaware yesterday. What gets me the most is this. THINK ABOUT IT. Can you really depend on a company like WBOC who claims to be a news leader getting it wrong most of the time? Perhaps they can live with themselves going to work every day because they do have a pretty decent audience but do you know what would kill me inside. It would kill me that every one visiting my Site was ONLY coming here because there's no real competition, not because I was doing such a great job.
Then think about this as well. You watch a news broadcast over a 30 minute period. By the time you take away commercials your left with a 14 minute news broadcast. THINK, how much of that broadcast is weather? How much of it is sports? How much of it is Captain Willy in the chopper thanking Johnnie Janosic? How much of it is Heart and Soul? How much of it is Travels with Charlie? HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE LEFT TO SHARE DELMARVA NEWS!!!!!!
You get next to NOTHING from WBOC. They are a NEWS station, NOT a wanna be drama show! So are the advertisers on Delmarva that stupid? Well, again, I guess when you're the only thing left, (not because you're doing it right) people will come to watch. However, the smart ones, (I'd hope to think I'm one of them) grow very tired of the long drawn out drama broadcasts and NO NEWS, other than what Salisbury News already brought you earlier today or the day before.
So why the Weather Channel logo at the top of the page. Well, I thought I'd share that when we published the photos of the hurricane in Salisbury and then Wicomico County, the Weather Channel contacted me within minutes and asked to use our photos. Of course our only request was that they provide a link back to sbynews.com and our numbers went through the roof. At midnight last night there were more than a thousand people on the Site. That's a lot for midnight on a Saturday.
Anyhow, I for one am VERY disappointed in WBOC recently. While I like many of the people working there, the drama needs to end and they need to get back to what they used to do best, tell the news. Doing stories that only involve your own advertisers is manufacturing news. No one has ever been in the position to challenge WBOC and since I have that audience I'm going to do what I have always done best, make them accountable.
Allow me to close with this. I'd like to thank all of you for visiting Salisbury News. We hope you enjoy the different kind of news and information we provide by keeping it real. Most of all, thanks for letting us know we are the go to place for residents of the Eastern Shore for news and information.
Will Mayor Ireton Lift The Stupid Curfew Today
So, let's make this a survey question.
Will you abide by the Mayor's curfew and stay home all day today?
Ocean City Assesses Community In Aftermath Of Hurricane Irene
Ocean City officials are now in the process of assessing the town in the wake of Hurricane Irene and plan to reopen the community as soon as is possible. At daylight a full assessment will be carried out. No injuries have been reported.
Power outages are still reported in some areas of the community. The wastewater plant, which had been shut down as the storm approached, is in the process of being put back into service.
The eye of Hurricane Irene passed Ocean City within 50 miles in the early morning hours on Sunday. Localized flooding was reported as sustained winds reached 60 mph, with top wind speed recorded at 80 mph. Rainfall amount totaled 12 inches.
Ocean City will remain closed to all persons until a full damage assessment can be made and any unsafe conditions secured.
All incoming traffic to Ocean City, Maryland, continues to be limited to emergency personnel. No other vehicles will be permitted entry to the island, except by approved authority (Mayor, City Manager and Emergency Services Director).
Updated information will be posted on the Town’s website, www.oceancitymd.gov, the Emergency Services recorded information line at 410-723-6666, facebook.com/oceancity and on Twitter @ townofoceancity. You can receive our twitter messages via text on your smartphone! Text follow TownofOceanCity to 40404 in the United States.