Hurricane Preparedness for St. Mary's County

[Admin]

The St. Mary’s County Emergency Management Agency is coordinating with representatives of many agencies in preparation for severe rain and high winds resulting from Hurricane Isabel, which could cause major flooding and damage throughout St. Mary’s County. Currently, the National Weather Service is predicting the storm will hit the East Coast in North Carolina Thursday A.M. and proceed on a path northwest through Southern Maryland.

The St. Mary’s County Emergency Management Agency recommends that you and you’re your family take the following precautionary and safety measures in preparation for a hurricane.

• Stay at home and have a disaster plan for your family.

• Have a Disaster Supply Kit ready:

1. WATER - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 days;

2. FOOD - at least enough for 3 days, non perishable packaged or canned food/juices, food for infants or the elderly, snack foods; non-electric can opener, cooking tools / fuel; paper plates / plastic utensils;

3. CLOTHING – season / rain gear / sturdy shoes;

4. BLANKETS, PILLOWS, etc.;

5. FIRST AID KIT / MEDICINES, prescription and non-prescription medications, glasses, dentures, hearing aids, etc.;

6. SPECIAL ITEMS - for babies and elderly;

7. TOILETRIES - hygiene items;

8. MOISTURE WIPES;

9. FLASHLIGHT / BATTERIES; RADIO - battery operated and NOAA Weather Radio;

10. CASH; KEYS - Extra set of home and car keys;

11. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS - in a waterproof container, insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc., Document all valuables;

12. TOYS/BOOKS/ENTERTAINMENT; TOOLS - Keep a set with you during the storm;

13. VEHICLE FUEL TANKS FILLED;

14. PET CARE ITEMS, proper identification / immunization records, amply supply of food and water, a carrier or cage, medications, muzzle and leash.

• Make your home more disaster resistant; board up
windows and glass doors, anchor loose yard objects or bring them inside.

• Have a pet plan; contact your veterinarian or human society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency.

• Stay alert to local broadcast stations for storm advisories and public emergency notices. Those stations are WSMD 98.3 FM, WKIK 102.9 FM & 1560 AM, WWZZ 104.1 FM WMDM 97.7 FM, WPTX 1690 AM, Government Cable Channel 12 and GMP Cable 10.

In the event evacuation is recommended or necessary, shelter locations will be identified and hours of operation broadcast to the public. Typically, shelters are set up at public schools in different regions of the County, as necessary, and include Great Mills High School, Leonardtown High School, Chopticon High School, and Spring Ridge Middle School. If you are required to evacuate your home and move to a shelter, bring your Disaster Supply Kit. Remember, shelters are not designed for comfort and do not accept pets.

If you must travel to another location during a storm, please follow the travel routes specified by local authorities. The St. Mary’s County Disaster Information Hotline is activated during emergency situations. The public will be notified upon activation of the Hotline. The number is 301-475-4911 or 4912; TTY/TTD 301-475-8016.

Also, visit the St. Mary’s County Emergency Communications website at http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/Emer...aneprepare.asp for hurricane preparedness tips.

For additional information:

Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), http://www.mema.state.md.us
Maryland Emergency Public Information Hotline: 1-800-422-8799

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), http://www.fema.gov/library/hurricaf.htm

American Red Cross, http://www.redcross.org
Local Red Cross Office: 301-475-4705

Humane Society of United States, http://www.hsus.org/disaster/index.html
Local Human Society: 301-884-4903 or 301-290-0176