OFFICIAL Hurricane Sandy Thread

[David (Premo)]

***10 AM TOMORROW***GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO PROVIDE UPDATE ON HURRICANE SANDY

REISTERSTOWN, MD (October 28, 2012) – Governor Martin O’Malley will hold a press conference TOMORROW, OCTOBER 29 at 10:00AM at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to provide an update on Hurricane Sandy as the storm approaches the area. The press conference will be live steamed here.

For hurricane preparedness tips and precautions, visit the MEMA web site. For Twitter updates, follow @MDMEMA and use hashtag #MDSandy to join the discussion. For a hurricane storm surge predictions map, click here.

[David (Premo)]

St. Mary's County continues its preparation for Hurricane Sandy as the storm continues its approach to the mid-Atlantic region. On its present course the greatest impact from the storm is predicted to begin early Monday morning and continue until Tuesday afternoon with high winds and heavy rains.

Shelters are open and fully staffed at Great Mills High School and Leonardtown High School. Citizens are reminded that if they plan on relocating to a shelter they should bring any toiletries and medications in quantities sufficient for several days.

Residents can bring pets to both shelters. Animal Control staff will relocate them to the county fairgrounds where they will be housed for the duration of the storm.

Residents living near large trees should remain in the lower level of your home or seek shelter elsewhere if possible. Residents should also refrain from unnecessary travel.

Other storm notes:

County Government offices are closed for all non-essential County Employees on Monday, October 29, 2012.

All St. Mary's County Public Schools and Offices will be closed and there will be no Non-Public School Bus transportation service on Monday, October 29, 2012.

NAS Patuxent River will be closed to all except for mission essential personnel. Base tenants can call 301-342-2273 for limited information regarding the status of the installation. Individuals should call their supervisor to determine their MEP status.

Both Circuit Court and District Court are closed Monday.

Federal and state offices (including Department of Social Services) are closed Monday.

College of Southern Maryland and St. Mary's College of Maryland are closed Monday.

For more information please call the Public Information Line at 301-475-4911. County Government will continue to monitor Sandy's progress overnight and provide updates as they become necessary.

[David (Premo)]

Emergency Shelter to Open for Residents in Flood-Prone Areas

The Department of Emergency Services is opening a temporary emergency shelter on Monday, Oct. 29 at 8 a.m. for residents and their pets who are not confident in their safety at their current location, and wish to voluntarily relocate.

The shelter will be located at the Department of Community Services building (8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco). No meals or showers will be provided.

Before leaving home, residents are advised to take the following actions:

Turn off lights and appliances (except refrigerators and freezers).
Close and lock windows and doors.

Use your own vehicle to evacuate. Offer rides to neighbors who may not have transportation.

Residents who come to the shelter should bring only essential items, including:

Medical supplies (prescriptions, other medications, first aid kit)

Money (cash, checkbook, credit cards, important personal and financial documents)

Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, soap, shaving supplies, eye care supplies, washcloth, towels)

Clothing

Baby care items (formula, diapers, favorite toys)

Blankets, sleeping bags and pillows

Non-perishable food

Road maps

Bottled water

This is a pet-friendly shelter. If you bring your dog(s) or cat(s) with you to the shelter, bring them in a pet carrier. Owners must provide food, water bowls, medications and proof of immunizations. Accommodations will be made to house animals. Pets, however, will not be allowed in the shelter. Due to health regulations, only trained service dogs are permitted inside the shelter.

A non-emergency hotline, 301-609-3435, has been established for residents who have questions. This line should not be used in the event of an emergency. If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

Severe weather information and emergency notices will be posted on the Charles County website (Home | www.charlescountymd.gov), on the county's Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/CharlesCounty), and on the county's government cable station, CCGTV, broadcast on Verizon channel 10 and Comcast channel 95.

Register today for Charles County's Citizen Notification Service (CNS) to receive inclement weather and traffic alerts by e-mail or on your cell phone or pager. To sign up for the free CNS service, visit Charles County | Citizen Notification Service.

[vraiblonde]

CURRENT FORECAST FOR ST. MARY'S

Weather Forecast U. S. fips code 24037 Saint Marys County, MD - Local Weather Forecast

Today: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 55. Windy, with a northwest wind 24 to 29 mph increasing to 34 to 39 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Tonight: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 40. Very windy, with a west wind 44 to 47 mph, with gusts as high as 70 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Tuesday: Showers. High near 52. Very windy, with a southwest wind 39 to 44 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Windy, with a southwest wind 24 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a southwest wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

[vraiblonde]

STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION MOVES INTO ACTION AS HURRICANE PREPARES FOR LANDFALL

High Winds, Rain/Flooding on Eastern Shore; Heavy Rain and Gusty Wind Affecting Region

(October 29, 2012 – 6 a.m.) – Hurricane Sandy is affecting much of Maryland and will continue to cause road conditions to deteriorate throughout the day as the eye moves closer to landfall. With the worst of the storm expected to pound Maryland with heavy rain and high winds today and tomorrow, widespread power outages and a possible blizzard in far Western Maryland are expected.

Eastbound US 50 remains closed entering Ocean City. Heavy rain bands are continuing to move across the region. Winds are forecasted to pick up and gusts in excess of 60 MPH are likely.

More than 640 State Highway Administration (SHA) crews are active across Maryland with an additional 1,500 SHA operations personnel prepared to respond to high water, downed trees and traffic signal issues. In addition, a blizzard warning has been issued in Garrett County in far western Maryland Monday night into Tuesday.

"Today is one of those days to follow the advice - don't travel unless you absolutely have to, " said State Highway Administrator Melinda B. Peters. "It is worth repeating that a new law enacted Oct. 1 mandates drivers must treat intersections with non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops. Do not assume you or the other driver has the right-of-way; make eye contact if possible and proceed safely through the intersection."

In response to the storm, SHA is:

• SHA crews are monitoring and patrolling State roadways. Equipment, including saws and chippers, high-water signs and sandbags are at the ready. Providing real-time traffic information and storm-related road closures through Maryland’s 511 phone system and at Maryland 511 - Know before you go! as well as Welcome to Maryland State Highway Administration where you can click on CHART to see live traffic cameras.

• Programming overhead Variable Message Signs along major roadways and Traveler Advisory Radios to inform motorists of crashes, delays and route diversions. However, smaller routes prone to flooding may not be listed since they not be reported. Just because a road isn't listed as problematic on these resources, conditions change quickly, so use caution and allow extra time regardless.

Additional tips for motorists can be found on SHA’s website at Welcome to Maryland State Highway Administration or on MEMA’s website at Hurricane.

In conjunction with other agencies and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), SHA is monitoring response to the storm from the Statewide Operations Center (SOC) near BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. During hurricanes, snow storms and other crises, the SOC doubles as SHA’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) providing access to hundreds of camera images, constant contact with field personnel and quick response to changing conditions. From the EOC, SHA communicates with local jurisdictions, neighboring states, emergency responders and the media.

For the most up to date highway traffic information, call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit Maryland 511 - Know before you go!, which also includes weather. Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the website. Remember to use 511 safely – Maryland law prohibits hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.

For more general - non storm specific information, follow SHA on Twitter @MDSHA and “like” us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/MarylandStat...Administration

[David (Premo)]

Water Safety Information Statement from the Calvert County Health Department

Oct. 29, 2011 –The Calvert County Health Department reminds residents that drilled wells are subject to saltwater and surface water contamination if the well head is submerged. If you suspect your well head has been submerged, the Division of Environmental Health recommends following the procedure outlined below:

CAUTION: Your well operates on electricity; electrical shock is possible if care is not taken during this procedure. If you are uncomfortable performing this procedure, contact a professional for assistance.

1. Pump off your well. Attach a garden hose to the outside of your house and run the water for four hours.

2. After completing step one, remove the cap of the well and pour one gallon of regular bleach, without added fragrances, into the well. Begin pumping off the well until the odor of bleach is noticed. Once you smell bleach, stop pumping and let the water stay in the plumbing for 24 hours.

3. After 24 hours, pump off the well until the bleach odor subsides.

4. Lastly, with this procedure completed contact the Calvert County Division of Environmental Health, when normal working hours resume, for water sampling at 410-535-3922 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) NOTE: It is recommended that you DO NOT DRINK water from your wells until this procedure is complete. Bottled water is recommended as an alternative.

The county has established the following public information numbers: 410-535-0396 or 410-535-0314. These lines will be staffed until the immediate event passes. During regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), call 410-535-1600, ext. 2638. Questions or requests for information can also be sent by email to oem@co.cal.md.us.

Visit the Calvert County Government website at Calvert County for updates.

Further hurricane preparedness information is available through the Maryland Emergency Management Agency online at Hurricane. For the most up-to-date forecasts on the track of Hurricane Sandy, visit the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov.

[David (Premo)]

AG Gansler: Protect Yourself After Hurricane Sandy, Too

Be wary of home/car repair, debris removal and storm-related fraud

Baltimore (October 28, 2012) - In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, your home, yard, automobile or business may be in need of repairs as a result of wind and/or water damage. Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler urges you to be wary of home repair scams and other attempts to defraud consumers that often follow in the wake of a large storm's destructive path.

"We hope the worst fears about Hurricane Sandy do not come true, but Marylanders should nonetheless always be on guard for the flood of con artists who try to take advantage of consumers after a big storm. These swindlers will try to rip off families and business owners who are desperate to get their storm damage fixed," said Attorney General Gansler. "Be careful with door-to-door salesmen using high pressure tactics to get your hard-earned money. That money may vanish while the repair goes undone."

The vast majority of home repair contractors, tree removal companies and car repair shops in Maryland are reputable businesses doing good work for their customers. Many are eager to help their neighbors and their communities recover from a disaster. These are people you are likely to know and trust. Attorney General Gansler urges consumers to be wary of people you do not know who solicit you at your home or business.

Warning signs that consumers should look for following severe weather include:

-- Traveling salesmen who come knocking on your door immediately after a disaster

-- High-pressure sales tactics

-- Demands for up-front payments

-- Demands for an immediate decision

-- Advance-fee loans that "guarantee" a loan to rebuild your home or business

Before you give anyone your money, Attorney General Gansler advises Maryland homeowners and small businesses to be cautious and:

-- Check to see if a home improvement contractor is licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission and to inquire about the contractor's complaint history, call 410-230-6309 or visit Maryland Home Improvement Commission - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.

-- Check to see if a tree expert is licensed with the Department of Natural Resources by visiting: Find a Licensed Tree Expert.

-- Deal only with contractors who have an established Maryland business.

-- Obtain at least three bids for major repair work and check references. Be cautious if one of the bids is much lower than the others.

-- Make certain that all important details concerning the work are written into the bid and contract, including: all of the work that the contractor has agreed to perform, the dates the work will begin and is expected to be completed, the total cost of the work, the type and quality of materials to be used, how and when payments will be made, and the provisions of warranties on the materials and labor.

Attorney General Gansler also advises consumers to be wary of phony relief efforts, fraudulent charities and scam artists who use the name of an organization similar to a well-known charity. Marylanders should contribute only to organizations that they know well and that willingly provide written information about their charitable efforts. Consumers should avoid making cash donations and always make checks payable to the organization, not the individual soliciting.

-- Check that a charity is registered with the state as required by law, by calling the Maryland Secretary of State's Charities Division at 410-974-5534 or 1-800-825-4510

For more information on storm-related fraud, consumer complaints and insurance issues please visit these links:

-- For more information on storm-related fraud from the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division: Maryland Attorney General - Consumer Publications and http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/127.pdf

-- For information and a video on tree damage and insurance issues from the Attorney General's People's Insurance Counsel Division: People's Insurance Counsel Division

-- If you wish to file a consumer complaint - other than home repair - contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662 or 1-888-743-0023 toll-free in Maryland. You can also file a consumer complaint on line by visiting: Maryland Attorney General - File a Consumer Complaint

-- Learn more about consumer scams by visiting the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division website at: Maryland Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division

-- For home repair consumer information; to see if a contractor is licensed, the contractor's complaint history or to file a complaint, call the Maryland Home Improvement Commission at 410-230-6309 or visit the MHIC website at: Maryland Home Improvement Commission - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing

[David (Premo)]

Due to the local state of emergency in effect in Charles County and to protect the safety of children, the Board of Commissioners strongly discourages citizens from trick-or-treating on Halloween Wednesday, Oct. 31. The Commissioners encourage parents to take their children trick or treating on Saturday, Nov. 3, after the state of emergency has been lifted.

[David (Premo)]

UPDATE 9:48 am --- NAS Patuxent River remains open, however Gates 1 and 3 are closed. The installation and tenant organizations are in a Mission Essential Personnel (MEP) only status as of 8 p.m., Sunday, 28 Oct. Further updates will provide the duration of the MEP only condition. Individuals who are unaware of their own status as a MEP employee should contact their supervisor.

Tenants are encouraged to dial 301-342-BASE (2273) for limited information on the condition of the installation.

[David (Premo)]

Sandbags Are Available Until 4 p.m. MONDAY for Calvert County Residents

Oct. 29, 2012 –Sand bags are available for residents who need them to protect property. Up to 20 sand bags per person may be picked up until 4 p.m. today at the following locations:

· Appeal Salt Dome, 401 Sweetwater Road, Lusby

· Stafford Road Salt Dome, 335 Stafford Road, Barstow

· Mt. Hope Salt Dome, 92 Pushaw Road, Sunderland

Residents should bring a shovel and be prepared to fill the bags; residents can also bring their own bags. Anyone who can bring their own bags and shovels is encouraged to do so.