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Department of Housing and Community Development

Governor Larry Hogan Announces Response Efforts for Severe Weather

For immediate release:
July 24, 2017
Contact:
Hannah Marr hannah.marr@maryland.gov
Shareese Churchill shareese.churchill@maryland.gov
410-974-2316

Governor Larry Hogan Announces Response Efforts for Severe Weather
State Agencies Provide Assistance to Kent Island Community Following Storm Damage in Stevensville

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland state agencies are assisting local officials in Queen Anne’s County after a severe storm cell struck the Bay City and Stevensville area of Kent Island early Monday morning. State personnel were at the scene of the storms’ impact throughout the day, and remain on the scene to assist with the damage assessment and to determine any resources the state can provide to area residents. Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford visited Stevensville Monday morning, where he met with local leaders and residents, and toured the impacted area.

“Lt. Governor Rutherford and I extend our support to the Kent Island community in the wake of last night’s severe weather, which caused damage to multiple homes and buildings and left thousands of residents without power,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “The state stands ready to assist in any way needed as the community works to rebuild.”

“On behalf of Governor Hogan and our entire administration, I want to offer our sincerest thanks to our first responders for their tremendous work helping to get this community back on its feet,” said Lt. Governor Rutherford.

State and local personnel will continue assessing damage, clearing debris, and assisting displaced residents throughout the day. Utility crews will be working to restore power and repair downed power lines. All those in the area, or attempting to travel through the area, are urged to use caution and heed any warnings from local officials.

Statewide actions include the following:

Maryland Emergency Management Agency

  • Increased State Response Activation level to Enhanced to facilitate resource support. Coordinating all requests for state support and tasks conducted by state agencies.
  • Coordinating with Queen Anne’s County since early Monday morning to provide assistance to local emergency managers.
  • Staffing regional liaison officers in Queen Anne’s County Emergency Operations Center to facilitate State-to-local support.
  • Monitoring approximately 6,600 power outages statewide as of 2:15 PM, down from a peak of 14,805 outages statewide.
  • Establishing contact with federal Small Business Administration to determine any federal assistance that can be sought following damage assessments.

Maryland State Police

  • Assumed lead as law enforcement coordination with assistance from Queen Anne’s Sheriff, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, and Maryland Natural Resources Police
  • Established Command Post at Mowbray Park, 629 Romancoke Road, Stevensville, Maryland
  • Deployed 25 sworn and civilian personnel to assist with manning traffic posts, patrolling residential and business areas, conducting welfare checks and escorting utility vehicles into the impacted areas.
  • Provided aerial surveillance to assist in damage assessment.
  • Resources utilized include: Special Operations Command, Aviation, Motor Unit, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division and barrack personnel from the Eastern Troop.

Maryland Department of Transportation

  • More than 70 State Highway Administration (SHA) and Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) crews and 35 SHA trucks (front-end loaders, dump trucks, heavy equipment) responded to US 50, MD 8, MD 18 and other areas to provide assistance.
  • SHA provided response from three SHA maintenance shops in Centreville, Easton and Chestertown, as well as CHART personnel from the Statewide Operations Center.
  • MDTA Police provided traffic direction and MDTA maintenance crews provided an additional portable message sign on MD 8.
  • MDOT will continue to support cleanup efforts into the night.

Maryland Department of Human Services

  • Queen  Anne’s County Department of Social Services staff on hand to manage Friends and Family Reunification Centers at Centreville Middle School (231 Ruthsburg Road, Centreville, MD 21617) and Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department (1610 Main Street, Chester, MD 21619).
  • Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles are on location and are providing mobile feeding and water distribution to the affected communities.
  • Impacted residents who need transportation to one of the Emergency Shelters may call 410-758-2357 to receive transportation.

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

  • Coordinating with the Department of Human Services to assess need of rental assistance for displaced residents.
  • Will activate disaster recovery loan and grant programs as needed to assist small businesses, homeowners and renters.

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