Upcoming Hurricane season and MEDIA AVAILABILITY

DESPITE PREDICTIONS OF QUIET 2014 HURRICANE SEASON, MARYLAND RESIDENTS URGED TO MAKE PREPARATIONS

“It just takes one,” says MEMA Director Ken Mallette

REISTERSTOWN, MD – Although several weather prediction centers are calling for a relatively quiet hurricane season this year, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency is urging residents to prepare now. The 2014 season begins June 1.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service have declared May 25-31 as National Hurricane Preparedness Week, a time for all residents of hurricane-prone states to prepare for the upcoming season. This is the time to learn about hurricane watches and warnings, develop a family disaster plan and supply kit and consider purchasing flood insurance if you are in a vulnerable area.

“While the National Weather Service and others are predicting relatively few Atlantic Hurricanes this year, it just takes one to affect Maryland,” said Ken Mallette, Executive Director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. “Even if it is a relatively quiet season, one storm hitting the mid-Atlantic can disrupt the lives of thousands of Marylanders, as we saw when Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012.”

In Maryland, hurricanes can bring heavy winds, coastal storm surge, tidal flooding and inland flooding and can spawn tornadoes. They also can be responsible for widespread power outages; in 2003, Hurricane Isabel knocked out power to approximately 1.3 million electric customers around the state. Recovery for the hardest hot communities can take years.

While hurricanes are not the most common disasters to affect Maryland, the same preparedness steps residents take for hurricanes will be helpful in the wake of severe thunderstorms, flooding, tornadoes, winter storms, power outages and other events more common in this region. Residents should consider a battery-operated or crank radio to follow local news broadcasts in a power outage or a NOAA Weather Radio that will alert listeners to severe weather warnings in their area.

Since last hurricane season, MEMA also has developed the Maryland Prepares app for mobile devices, to provide preparedness information and location-specific emergency alerts. You may download the free App to your device from the App Store for Apple devices or Google Play for Android devices..

Residents also should consider purchasing flood insurance now in case of summer storms. Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance typically does not include flood damage, and claims through the flood insurance program generally cannot be filed until 30 days after the premiums are paid, except for new construction. For more about the National Flood Insurance Program, visitwww.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flooding_flood_risks/tropical_storms_hurricanes.jsp

Drivers also are reminded not to drive through standing or running water on a roadway. As little as 6-12 inches of running water can move a vehicle downstream. Drivers are urged to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” when encountering standing water on roadways.

For more information about preparedness in Maryland, visit MEMA’s website atwww.mema.maryland.gov and click on the “Citizens” tab at the top of the page to see a list of tips under “Be Prepared.” On those pages you will find preparedness tips for hurricanes and other hazards that can affect Maryland and links for more information about a family emergency plan and what should be in a disaster supply kit.

Several other websites are available for hurricane information:

· The National Weather Service: www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/

· Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.ready.gov/hurricanes

· The American Red Cross: www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane

· Centers for Disease Control: www.emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes

· Maryland Insurance Administration:www.mdinsurance.state.md.us/sa/consumer/insurance-preparedness-for-natural-disasters.html

For more information about emergency preparedness in Maryland or for copies of the 20-page Maryland Natural Hazards Preparedness Guide, please contact Ed McDonough at 410-517-5608 (desk), 410-446-3333 (cell) or ed.mcdonough@maryland.gov.