Skip to Content Accessibility Information

Maryland Department of Emergency Management

Heavy Rain to Continue Throughout Maryland

HEAVY RAIN TO CONTINUE THROUGHOUT MARYLAND

 

RESIDENTS SHOULD PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL FLOODING NOW,

POSSIBLE EFFECTS FROM HURRICANE JOAQUIN THIS WEEKEND

 

REISTERSTOWN, Md. (October 1, 2015) — With heavy rains affecting much of Maryland today on top of significant rainfall earlier this week, residents should make appropriate preparations for flooding that may be occurring over the next 48 hours. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is also monitoring Hurricane Joaquin, which is currently located in the Bahamas but may be turning to the north tomorrow. As a proactive measure, Governor Larry Hogan has signed an Executive Order for a state of emergency for Maryland and has instructed state agencies to begin readying resources in case the Hurricane makes landfall near Maryland.

 

“While we are hoping for the best, we are preparing for the worst,” Governor Larry Hogan said at a press conference today in the State Emergency Operations Center. “At my direction, the State is currently taking steps to mobilize all available resources.”

 

There are a number of actions that anyone can take to prepare for severe weather and flooding. MEMA is recommending that residents take the following steps:

 

  • Clean storm drains and gutters on your house to prevent overflow and water buildup.
  • Don’t wait. Communicate. Know how to get in contact with your friends and family during any emergency.
  • Because of the saturated soil, even minor winds could cause power outages. Be prepared to be without electricity and while the power is still on, keep cell phones, tablets, other devices and back-up batteries fully charged.
  • Fuel up your automobile before any storm and make sure to have car chargers available for devices. In a power outage, you can use your car to charge cell phones and tablets.
  • If you have a basement in your house, shelve household items and make sure any electronic equipment is not lying directly on the floor.
  • Check to see if you live or work in a flood prone area: http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/floodProneZones.aspx
  • Listen to instructions from local officials and know the current forecast by following your local emergency management office, forecasters, and news stations.

 

The National Weather Service has noted that the exact path of this system will not be clear until later this week; however, any impact could bring additional rain and wind.

 

Follow MEMA’s website, mema.maryland.gov, Twitter feed @MDMEMA and Facebook page for more information.

 

###