Summer Season Brings Possible Hurricane Dangers to Maryland

NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE: MAY 7-13 IS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK

REISTERSTOWN, Md.  — This week is Maryland Hurricane Preparedness Week and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is teaming up with the National Weather Service (NWS) and local emergency managers to promote citizen awareness and preparedness.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. The height of our season in Maryland typically is mid-August to October.  Hurricanes can cause strong winds, heavy rain, inland flooding and other severe weather. Residents in Maryland can “be weather ready” by ensuring that they know how to receive a warning, have a plan, and practice safety tips.

“Now is the time to start planning for hurricanes,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Make sure you have an emergency plan, a disaster supply kit ready, and that your family, friends, and neighbors are prepared as well. If a storm is headed our way, the safest action is the simplest action – use common sense and stay safe.”

“We all saw the destruction in North Carolina and other states to our south after Hurricane Matthew last summer,” said MEMA Executive Director Russ Strickland. “Just a slight change in the path of that storm and Maryland could have been in the bull’s eye. Don’t wait until a storm is headed our way to prepare.”

The NWS notes Maryland can see hurricanes and impacts from a storm hundreds of miles away. “Damage to coastlines and destruction several hundred miles in-land can be seen with these tropical storms,” said NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Christopher Strong. “Hurricanes can produce 150-plus miles per hour winds, tornadoes and tremendous flooding from both tidal surges as well as torrential rain.”

The NWS and MEMA work closely together and with local government agencies to identify and monitor hurricane activity, develop preparedness plans and safety information and coordinate the response to these storms.

Residents can also take actions now to remain safe by taking the following actions:

• Build an emergency supply kit and develop a family emergency and communications plan.
• Stay tuned to trusted sources such as the National Weather Service and local broadcasters for official weather information.
• Follow instructions and advice given by emergency officials, especially instructions related to evacuation.
• During severe weather, stay indoors away from windows, close all interior doors, and brace external doors. If you live near the shore or coast, expect the storm tide will inundate your home.
• Monitor NWS flood warnings for your area and be prepared to seek higher ground. Flooding is often our biggest threat.
• If you live in a mobile home, plan to leave if high winds are a threat as they are unsafe in high winds.
• Fill a bathtub or other large container with water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets.
• Charge devices before bad weather hits and consider keeping a charger in your car.

In support of this, the U.S. Air Force and NOAA Hurricane Hunters, and the pilots that fly these aircraft into hurricanes for better forecasts, will be visiting our region at Reagan National Airport on Tuesday May 9^th. More information on this exciting family event is here: http://www.weather.gov/baltimore/2017HATOverview

Additional information can be on MEMA’s website at mema.maryland.gov. Residents can also download the free MARYLAND Prepares mobile app at mema.maryland.gov/Pages/mdprepares.aspx.