Storm Hermine: Official Bulletins from the Government(s)

[Editor]

Tropical Storm Hermine to Bring Rain and Wind to St. Mary's County This Weekend

Residents Urged to Monitor Weather Forecast and Prepare

Leonardtown, MD - Tropical Storm Hermine could bring significant rainfall and wind to [St. Mary's County beginning Saturday morning, making for a potentially hazardous Labor Day weekend. The Storm, which is currently is moving north-northeast up the east coast is forecast to be located off the Eastern Shore of Maryland by Saturday.

The National Weather Service has issued tropical storm warning for St. Mary's County. Tropical storm force winds and rain could move into the area as soon as Saturday morning and last through the weekend. Tropical Storm Hermine is be making is closet approach to St. Mary's County Saturday afternoon. Rainbands and winds to tropical storm force will begin to affect Southern Maryland late tonight or early Saturday and continue into Sunday morning. Hermine will then slowdown significantly or possibly stall our off the mid-Atlantic coast Sunday. There is still some uncertainty as to exactly what path the Storm will take.

"Marylanders need to monitor trusted weather sources, such as the NWS weather forecast offices and local news stations, in order to stay updated on this tropical system and associated rain," said Russ Strickland, executive director of MEMA. Commissioner Mike Hewitt added "Residents and visitors should pay extra attention—tropical storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly."

St. Mary's County residents should be familiar with evacuation routes, have a communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have a plan for pets.

Additional information can be found on the county website at http://www.stmarysmd.com

and the MEMA website at mema.maryland.gov.

 

[Editor]

St. Mary's Signs Declaration of Emergency

Leonardtown, MD - In preparation for the potential impacts of Hurricane Hermine, St. Mary's County Commissioner, Mike Hewitt signed an Emergency Declaration for St Mary's County today, September 2, 2016. The declaration enables the Emergency Operations Center to request resources from the State and other agencies.

Governor Larry Hogan today signed an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties beginning Friday, September 2, 2016.

Tropical Storm Hermine could bring significant rainfall and wind to St. Mary's County beginning Saturday morning, making for a potentially hazardous Labor Day weekend. Tropical storm force winds and rain could move into the area as soon as Saturday morning and last through the weekend. Residents need to monitor the weather forecast in order to stay updated on this tropical system as there is much uncertainty with its track.

 

[Editor]

State Highway Maintenance Crews Prepare for Tropical Storm

State Urges Travelers to Pay Close Attention to Weather Forecasts and Plan Accordingly

(September 2, 2016) – The Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration (SHA) is prepared for any potential impacts of Tropical Storm Hermine. The storm is expected to affect the Eastern Shore and parts of Southern Maryland, although a track to the west could impact additional parts of the State.

"While the Eastern Shore and southern regions of the State are expected to feel the brunt of the storm, gusty winds and potentially heavy periods of rain may impact the Baltimore and Washington DC regions as well," said SHA Administrator Gregory C. Johnson. "SHA maintenance crews are prepared and ready to respond across the State"

Since Wednesday, crews have been inspecting, cleaning and clearing storm water ditches, drains and inlets. Crews from SHA maintenance facilities also evaluated all emergency response equipment such as high water signs, chain saws, chippers, loaders and grading trucks.

The approaching storm could result in scattered power outages. SHA reminds motorists that if you encounter an intersection where traffic signals are without power, treat all directions of the intersection as a four-way stop.

SHA also advises motorists to stay aware of the forecast and, should heavy rain and high wind begin to affect the area, curtail travel as much as possible. Click here for information about flooded roads.

 

[Editor]

MetCom Advises Customers to Prepare for Hermine

A tropical storm warning has been issued for southern Maryland indicating that tropical storm force conditions are likely. Therefore, the St. Mary's County Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) encourages all customers to prepare for associated high winds, heavy rains and localized flooding. Please visit the National Weather Service at http://www.weather.gov/akq/ for local weather updates.

In the event of severe weather associated with a tropical storm or hurricane, customers are advised to prepare an emergency water supply and to take the following actions to prevent damage and flooding of the wastewater systems:

If your basement or yard is equipped with a sewer drain access, make sure that your building sewer drain access cap is not broken and it is securely tightened; never remove this cap.

If your property is equipped with a sewage grinder pump, make sure the vault lid for the pump is not ajar.

If you experience a power outage, please conserve your water usage, especially if your property is equipped with a sewage grinder pump. The sewage grinder pump will sound an alarm for several minutes once electrical power is restored; however please contact MetCom at 301.373.5305 if the alarm continues.