Hurricane Preparendess Tips for Charles County

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The Charles County Department of Emergency Services reports that the National Weather Service has indicated that if Hurricane Isabel continues its current path, it could bring high winds and tidal flooding to Charles County by Thursday.

Flooding could occur in the coastal and low-lying areas of the County, especially the tidal waters of the Potomac River, including Cobb Island, Rock Point, Swan Point, Morgantown, Cliffton, Wicomico Beach, Banks O' Dee, Piccawaxen Creek, and Cuckold Creek, areas around the Port Tobacco River, Chapel Point, Port Tobacco Creek, Mattawoman Creek, Marshall Hall, Nanjemoy Creek, and Benedict.

Residents are urged to take the following precautions:

* Secure loose items that may be in your yards, such as lawn chairs or umbrellas, grills, antennas, etc.

* Have an emergency kit, including potable water, non-perishable food items, a first-aid kit, battery-powered radio, flashlight, and needed medicines, in case power outages occur.

* Remove a boat that is trailerable, remove it from the water and securely anchor it on high grounds. If it is docked, remove all loose items and store them on land. Double up lines and use several cleats to distribute the load on the boat. Allow as much line as possible for tide and storm damage.

* Leave a mobile home. They are unsafe in high winds.

* Cover all windows and doors with shutters or other shielding material.

Those residents living in areas subject to flooding should keep tuned to local radio and television stations in the event that an evacuation of their area and opening of emergency shelters is required. The shelters, in the event they need to be opened are Thomas Stone High School, Waldorf (for the eastern part of the County), Piccawaxen Middle School, Wayside (for the southern part of the County), and Milton Somers Middle School, La Plata (for the central part of the County) and the Nanjemoy Community Center. Others may be opened if needed. A message will also be placed on the County's automated response system, 301-645-0600, giving emergency shelter information, as well as Channel 95, the County Government cable channel.

If you have to come to a shelter, instead of staying with friends or family, please bring:

* one or two changes of clothes
* bedding
* personal hygiene products
* medicines, dentures, eye glasses, contact lenses and related supplies
* important family records
* games and books for children
* specialty items (baby formula, diapers, bottles, etc.)

Please secure or make arrangements for pets before coming to a shelter. They cannot be housed in the shelter for health reasons. Only seeing-eye and hearing-ear dogs are allowed. Arrange for someone to board the animal if possible. Otherwise, confine your pet to a specific room in the house (if appropriate), provide plenty of food and water to sustain your pet while you are away.

It is important that everyone stay tuned to local radio and television stations for updates. The County's "Citizens' Guide to Emergency Preparedness" is on the County web site, http://www.charlescounty.org in the Emergency Services section and is available at local libraries, the Department of Emergency Services, and the County Commissioners' Office.

For more information, call 301-645-0580 or 301-609-3401.

(Updates will be provided as the path of the storm progresses and if evacuation of low-lying areas are needed and emergency shelters are opened.)
 
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