MDEM Newsroom - Page 46 MDEM Newsroom
MTA WORKS TO REPAIR DOWNED WIRES, DAMAGED TRACK
August 31st, 2011Light Rail Service Could Be Impacted Through Thursday
BALTIMORE, MD (AUGUST 30, 2011) – The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has contracted local and out of state crews to help repair extensive damage to the Light Rail system. Over 3,500 feet of catenary wire was damaged by trees that were toppled by Hurricane Irene. Sections of track were also damaged when the high voltage wires made contact with the rails. Tree cutting crews have been working around the clock since Sunday morning to remove debris so catenary repair teams can reach the damaged wires.
At least five locations suffered severe damage, including a section of track just south of Northern Parkway along I-83 and south of the Woodberry Light Rail station. Three of the locations were repaired as of Tuesday afternoon. Repair crews from Norfolk, Virginia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are assisting MTA workers.
Light Rail service was temporarily suspended Saturday evening in anticipation of potential damage from the storm. Service was restored Sunday from North Avenue to BWI-Cromwell/Glen Burnie.
The MTA expects to have service fully restored Thursday. Shuttle buses will continue to operate from North Avenue to Hunt Valley until the repairs are complete. Customers including students and State Fair goers are encouraged to monitor the MTA website for service updates, and anticipate delays in their regular travel time. A separate shuttle bus will transport Poly-Western students from the North Avenue Light Rail station to school during the morning commute.
For general information on MTA service, visit www.mta.maryland.gov. Customers can also call the MTA Transit Information Center Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 410-539-5000.
TTY: 410-539-3497. To sign-up for email about service modifications and delays, go to www.mta.maryland.gov/enotifications.
Important Information from the Maryland Insurance Administration
August 31st, 2011Download this Poster: IRENE_Poster.pdf (117.91 kb)
HURRICANE IRENE
INSURANCE HELP FOR
MARYLAND CONSUMERS
Concerned about the insurance company’s handling of
your claim?
The Maryland Insurance Administration is a state
agency that can:
- Help you better understand the coverage on your insurance policy so that you are a well informed consumer.
- Investigate the handling or settlement of your claim on your behalf.
- Determine whether actions taken by your insurance company are in compliance with Maryland law.
- Ensure that you are treated in accordance with Maryland law.
Contact the Maryland Insurance Administration
Phone: (410) 468‐2000
Toll Free: (800) 492‐6116
Online: www.mdinsurance.state.md.us
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) Launches Emergency Contact Information Registry
August 31st, 2011(GLEN BURNIE, MD – June 13, 2011) –The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) today officially launched an Emergency Contact Information program that will help law enforcement officials notify emergency contacts in the event a person is injured in a vehicle accident and unable to communicate.
The Emergency Contact Information Registry is a database in which holders of a valid Maryland driver’s license or identification card can voluntarily list emergency contact information stored electronically on their driving record. Valid Maryland driver’s license or state of Maryland identification card holders can provide the name and contact information for one, two, or three persons who they wish to be notified in the event of an emergency.
Individuals may submit their Emergency Contact information online atwww.mva.maryland.gov , or via MVA Kiosks which are located in all MVA offices. The information is very secure and can only be accessed by authorized law enforcement personnel. Participants can add, modify, or delete their emergency contact information at any time by visitingwww.mva.maryland.gov . Any modifications or deletions will overwrite all previously entered information. For Marylanders who voluntarily add emergency contact information to the database, law enforcement will be able to quickly get word to their loved ones in the event of a serious accident.
Joining the MVA to help launch the Emergency Contact Information Registry was Karen Knight, an advocate for this database in Maryland. Knight’s son Andrew was involved in a fatal collision that also left his wife incapacitated. Because Andrew’s wife was the next of kin, the police were not able to properly notify his parents of his death. Rather, it was a near stranger who broke the news to the Knights in a voice mail message. “We did not receive word of the accident until some 10 hours later. After retrieving the voice mail message, it took additional time to locate the caller and verify the tragic truth. This was a most disturbing and emotional blow to all of us, especially to find out this way,” Mrs. Knight said.
Delegate Gail Bates (District 9A, Howard County) also took part in the launch. The idea for the program was initially proposed in the form of legislation (titled “Andrew’s Law”), first by former Senator Sandra Schrader and then by Delegate Bates. Although the legislation was unsuccessful and understanding the importance of this issue, the MVA decided to update their computer system. The program is now available online and at MVA Kiosks to give peace of mind to Maryland residents that their loved ones will be notified in case of an emergency.
Also in attendance were representatives from the Maryland State Police and the Maryland Hospital Association who have joined forces with MVA to urge Marylanders to take advantage of this service and list their emergency contact information.
“Especially in an emergency situation, getting information quickly can be critical,” said Jim Reiter of the Maryland Hospital Association. “Maryland’ hospitals support this simple method to ensure that Marylanders’ contact information is easily and quickly accessible.”
Open Disaster Assistance Centers: St. Mary’s and Calvert County
August 31st, 2011St. Mary’s County has opened a Disaster Assistance Center. It will be opened from 8-5 Thursday and Friday. The location is 23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Room , 4, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Calvert County will open a Disaster Assistance Center at Courthouse Square Building located at 205 Main Street Prince Frederick, MD. The time of operations will be Noon to 7pm Thursday, 9am to 7pm Friday and 9am to 7pm on Saturday.
The State will provide support with the following agencies:
· Maryland Insurance Administration
· Department of Human Resource
· Maryland Department of Aging
· Department of Labor License and Regulation
· Department of Housing and Community Development
Download the Amended Emergency Declaration
August 30th, 2011Download the Amended Emergency Declaration Here
Volunteer and Donations Information
August 30th, 2011Individuals or companies wishing to make a financial contribution to a reputable organization active in disaster relief should visit the Maryland Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MDVOAD) website atwww.mdvoad.org. All member organizations’ information and activities can be viewed by following the “Members” tab.
Individuals wishing to assist in disaster relief efforts in their community should not self-deploy. We encourage individuals and families to visit their local volunteer center to be matched with appropriate opportunities in their community. All of Maryland’s volunteer centers can be viewed atwww.marylandvolunteercenters.org.
Companies wishing to donate services should call the Maryland Donations and Volunteer Management Team hotline at 1-877-868-4954 to be matched with a current need.
Officials Urge Motorist to Use Caution in Downtown Bel Air
August 29th, 2011Power outage leaves Town of Bel Air without traffic lights
(Bel Air, MD) – – The Bel Air Police Department is urging motorist to use caution when driving through downtown Bel Air. As a result of Hurricane Irene, much of the downtown area has been without electricity for much of Sunday, including several intersections on both Main Street and Bond Street where traffic lights are not working.
Bel Air Police recommend motorist use caution when driving through the town until electric service has been restored and traffic lights are once again operational. Additionally, Bel Air Police request that motorist treat all intersections normally controlled by a traffic light as a “four way stop” to help ensure safe passage through the town.
For additional information regarding traffic safety in the town of Bel Air, contact the Bel Air Police Department at 410-638-4500.
DON’T BE FOOLED BY IRENE SCAMS; HIRE LICENSED CONTRACTORS FOR REPAIRS
August 29th, 2011BALTIMORE, MD (August 29, 2011) – Hurricane Irene left her mark on the State of Maryland and most of the Eastern seaboard. While Maryland weathered the storm in large part because of a coordinated response led by Governor Martin O’Malley, many homeowners saw their homes damaged by winds, falling tree limbs and torrential downpours. The Maryland Home Improvement Commission, a professional licensing board under the umbrella of the Maryland Department of Labor, urges all Marylanders to avoid being ripped off by Irene-related scams and only hire licensed contractors for repairs.
“Hurricane Irene proved to be a formidable storm. Thousands of Marylanders had their homes damaged by falling trees, high winds and torrential downpours and must now replace siding, repair roofs, replace water-damaged drywall and floors and repair chimneys,” said Maryland Labor Secretary Alexander M. Sanchez. “I strongly urge those Marylanders whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Irene to avoid hiring any just anyone with a tool belt and hammer. Protect yourself. Only hire licensed contractors. Get several estimates, only pay upon completion of the work and check your contractors’ licenses.”
“Too often, unlicensed contractors arrive after a major storm or a natural disaster with disingenuous offers to help,” said Maryland Commissioner for Occupational and Professional Licensing Stanley J. Botts. “The Maryland Home Improvement Commission stands up for homeowners and protects consumers from predatory contractors.”
The Maryland Home Improvement Law requires contractors, subcontractors and salespeople to hold a current Maryland Home Improvement Commission license in order to solicit or perform home improvement services in the state. Penalties for working without a license include criminal fines or imprisonment. The Maryland Home Improvement Guaranty Fund offers homeowners protection from shoddy work and compensates homeowners who suffer economic damages due to the work of a licensed contractor. The fund only protects homeowners who use licensed contractors. Consumers can check on contractors’ licensing statuses and complaint histories by calling the Maryland Home Improvement Commission at 410.230.6309 or visiting dllr.maryland.gov.
The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation protects and empowers Marylanders by safeguarding workers, protecting consumers, providing a safety net and cultivating a thriving workforce that can meet the demands of Maryland’s dynamic economy. For updates and information, follow DLLR on Twitter (@MD_DLLR <http://www.twitter.com/MD_DLLR> ) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DLLR.Maryland).
Agriculture Hurricane Aftermath Issue: Prevent the Spread Devastating Invasive Beetle
August 29th, 2011*** HURRICANE IRENE ***
We hope that everyone is safe and recovering quickly from the weekend’s hurricane. In the aftermath and clean up of fallen trees and branches, please be aware the Maryland EAB Quarantine prohibits the movement of ash wood or hardwood firewood from Maryland’s Western Shore to the Eastern Shore, i.e. across the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River, or out of state unless it is chipped to less than 1″ in diameter in two dimensions. Quarantine restrictions apply to mixed wood of unknown species. Ash wood may move between and among the quarantined counties, Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Washington counties and Baltimore City. Please call 410.841.5920 with questions.
Attorney General Gansler’s Hurricane Consumer Warning: Be wary of hurricane-related fraud
August 29th, 2011Baltimore, MD (August 29, 2011) – If you face major repairs to your home, business or other property as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Irene, Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler urges you to be wary of home repair scams and other consumer fraud that often follow the storm’s destructive path.
“Con artists may try to take advantage of you at your most vulnerable moment,” said Attorney General Gansler. “Be wary of those door-to-door salesmen who follow disasters from state to state seeking to steal your hard-earned money. That could be money you’ll never see again for work they’ll never do.”
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 community recover from a disaster. These are people you are likely to know. Attorney General Gansler urges consumers to be wary of those so-called businesses you do not know.
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 contractor is licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission by calling 410-230-6309 or visitinghttp://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic/ . Consumers can also ask the Commission about the contractor’s complaint history.
· 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.
AG 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
· 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:http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/complaint.htm
· Learn more about consumer scams by visiting the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division website at:http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/index.htm<http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/index.htm>
· 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: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic/