Ocean City Emergency Services Monitoring Storm & Coordinating Town Response Efforts with Partnering Agencies

(February 16, 2015) — Ocean City Emergency Services is preparing for winter storm Octavia to impact the region on Monday evening through Tuesday afternoon. The National Weather Service Office in Wakefield, Virginia has forecast accumulating snow and frigid temperatures. At a minimum, Ocean City residents can expect to see four to eight inches of snow, with higher totals possible.

Low temperatures are forecast to be near or below zero degrees. Gusty winds will further complicate the extreme cold and wind chills will be well below zero. Emergency Management officials are asking residents to make preparations now to stay off the roads during the height of the storm tonight and tomorrow morning. In addition, the combination of snow and wind may cause power outages in the area, so residents are encouraged to be prepared for potential outages.

In addition to staying off the roads when snow is falling, residents should take the following actions:

• Listen to Ocean City Emergency Services Radio 99.5 WPSB or 100.3 WWOP for updated storm information and preparedness.
• Keep devices charged so you will have a way follow weather forecasts and local emergency information.
• Be cautious shoveling snow to avoid overexertion. Take frequent breaks and keep hydrated.
• If you must travel, make sure to have a car chargers, kitty litter or sand for traction, and extra drinks and snacks in case you get stuck in traffic.
• Let friends or family know of your travel route and expected arrival times.
• Make sure pets are not kept outside without shelter in cold and snowy weather and be aware that salt and other ice melting materials may hurt animal’s paws.
• Dress in layers, taking care to keep your hands covered.
• Know who to contact in the case of a power outage.

Ocean City Emergency Services will be activating the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) tonight to monitor and coordinate response efforts through the storm event. The primary purpose of this activation will be to focus on the agency’s response to the storm and cold weather events. The Ocean City EOC will be working closely with neighboring EOC’s, Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Operations Center to monitor and coordinate additional support and resources if needed.

For more information about winter weather preparedness, please visit the following websites:

Ocean City Emergency Management:  www.ocmdemergency.com

Maryland Emergency Management Agency: www.mema.maryland.gov

DHMH: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/winterrpts/SitePages/Home.aspx

FEMA: www.ready.gov and click on the Winter Storms link

American Red Cross:   www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster and click on Winter Storm.