MDEM Newsroom - Page 49 MDEM Newsroom

IRENE PROMPTS TEMPORARY CLOSING OF SHELLFISH HARVESTING IN MARYLAND WATERS

MDE closes Chesapeake Bay, tributaries, coastal bays to harvesting; emergency action to remain in effect through Sept. 3, does not apply to fishing or crabbing

BALTIMORE, MD (August 26, 2011) – With Hurricane Irene bringing the potential for flooding and large amounts of stormwater runoff, the Maryland Department of the Environment has issued an emergency closure to shellfish harvesting in Maryland waters.

MDE is temporarily closing the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, including all tributaries, and Maryland’s coastal bays to shellfish harvesting effective Sunday, Aug. 28. Areas previously open to shellfish harvesting are to reopen for shellfish harvesting Saturday, Sept. 3.

The closure could remain in effect beyond that date if water-quality monitoring shows additional concerns. It could be lifted before that date if the storm’s effects on water quality are less than expected.

The closure applies only to the harvesting of shellfish (oysters and clams); it does not apply to fishing or crabbing.

“Maryland is taking this emergency action to prevent the potentially harmful effects of eating shellfish exposed to contaminated waters,” said MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers. “This ensures that Maryland maintains its reputation for safe and wholesome seafood products.”

Shellfish are filter feeders with the ability to filter water and get food from microscopic organisms in the water. If the waters are polluted, this filtering process can concentrate disease-causing organisms associated with raw sewage and other sources, such as animal waste. Oysters and clams are often eaten raw or partially cooked and must come from waters that are not polluted.

MDE monitors bacteriological water quality and conducts pollution source surveys to determine which areas are safe for the harvesting of shellfish. The Department is required to close areas that do not meet the strict water quality standards for shellfish harvesting waters, and it has a longstanding policy to reopen areas to shellfish harvesting when water quality improves. These actions ensure that Maryland remains in compliance with the requirements of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.

As Hurricane Irene approached Maryland, MDE determined that tidal flooding from the storm could affect septic systems and cause sewer systems to overflow, creating the potential for shellfish harvesting waters to be contaminated. Receding tides and large amounts of stormwater runoff could also carry contaminants to waterways.

The commercial oyster season in Maryland does not begin until October 1, and it is anticipated that the effects on shellfish water quality from Irene will have dissipated by then. The emergency closure affects, in addition to the harvesting of clams, the harvesting of oysters from leased beds and through aquaculture operations. Those oysters can normally be harvested throughout the year.

MDE issued a similar, week-long emergency closure to shellfish harvesting in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries due to flooding caused by Tropical Storm Isabel in September 2003.

For additional information on Maryland’s preparations for Hurricane Irene, go to Maryland.gov.

Tags: hurricane, irene, mde, shellfish

CLEMSONVILLE ROAD REOPENS

FREDERICK, MD The Frederick County Department of Construction Management and Inspection  announced today that the realignment of Clemsonville Road is now open to traffic from Lehigh Road to Pearre Road.

Tags: Frederick, road

***TODAY*** GOVERNOR O’MALLEY TO GIVE HURRICANE IRENE UPDATE

Tags: governor, hurricane, irene, state of emergency

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY

Download the Executive Order here (Vehicle Size and Weight Limits)

Download the Executive Order (Nursing Home)

Maryland residents must continue to prepare

REISTERSTOWN, MD (August 25, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley today declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene continued to move up the Atlantic Coast. The state of emergency allows the state to use Maryland National Guard resources, allows the Governor to suspend certain statutes (especially as they relate to commercial vehicles) and clears the way for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to send resources to Maryland.

In addition to the state of emergency, Maryland is providing assistances to the evacuation of Ocean City. The mayor and city council have ordered mandatory evacuation form the resort community as of midnight tonight. Earlier, local officials from the Eastern Shore coordinated with state agencies to begin evacuating the student workers from Ocean City to shelters on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay.

Pet owners also should make preparations for care of their pets and make sure to have plenty of food. In addition, if asked to evacuate, make sure your plans include your pets. Some local shelters in Maryland have designated areas for pets, but many do not. Check with your local emergency management office for details.

Additionally, cell phone usage may be taxed during this event. Please limit cell phone calls to urgent or emergency calls and make them as brief as possible. Also do not call local 9-1-1 emergency centers unless you have a true emergency. Their lines need to remain open for serious emergencies.

For the latest information on storm-related activity in Maryland, follow @MEMA_feeds and use the hashtag #MDhurricane.

All state hurricane related information, including preparedness tips for Marylanders, can be found at http://www.maryland.gov/. Other sites for information included the federal ready.gov site and the American Red Cross site at http://www.redcross.org/.

Here are some things residents can do to be prepared:

            Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. You can use the EFFAK Emergency Financial First Aid Kit – PDF, 277Kb) developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information fromhttp://www.ready.gov/
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Family Emergency Plan

• Identify an out-of town contact.  It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
• Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. Emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.
• Teach family members how to use text messaging (also knows as SMS or Short Message Service). Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
• Subscribe to alert services. Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. Sign up by visiting yourlocal Office of Emergency Management web site.

Planning to Stay or Go

Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first important decision is whether you stay where you are or evacuate. You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and available information, including what you are learning here, to determine if there is an immediate danger. In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for information or official instruction as it becomes available. For information on staying put or sheltering in place, click here.

Emergency Information

Find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and man-made, are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified. Methods of getting your attention vary from community to community. One common method is to broadcast via emergency radio and TV broadcasts. You might hear a special siren, or get a telephone call, or emergency workers may go door-to-door.

Tags: hurricane, state of emergency

As Hurricane Irene Approaches, FEMA Urges East Coast Residents to Be Prepared

Residents Should Follow the Instructions of Local Officials and VisitReady.gov or Listo.gov to Prepare for Hurricanes and Severe Weather

WASHINGTON – As Hurricane Irene moves toward the East Coast of the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging all residents in East Coast states to take steps now to prepare their families and businesses for hurricanes and severe weather. Visitwww.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov for helpful tips on preparing for hurricanes, flash flooding and other disasters.

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Irene is now a category three hurricane and will move across the southeastern and central Bahamas today and over the northwestern Bahamas on Thursday. For more forecast information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center, click here.

“FEMA, along with the entire federal family, continues to closely monitor Hurricane Irene,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “We remain in close contact and coordination with all of our state and territorial partners in the Caribbean and along the East Coast that have already or could possibly experience impacts from this storm. Hurricane Irene’s future path is still uncertain, and I encourage everyone to visit Ready.gov and take steps now to keep their family safe and secure. The most important thing for people to do right now is to listen to and follow the instructions of their local officials. If you are told to evacuate, evacuate.”

FEMA continues its support response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and on August 22, President Obama signed anemergency declaration for Puerto Rico, making federal funding available to supplement commonwealth and local response efforts in the area. In Puerto Rico, federal personnel are joining commonwealth and local officials today to conduct joint preliminary damage assessments, as weather permits. These damage assessments are the first step in helping a governor determine whether the scope of the damages are beyond what the commonwealth is capable of handling, and if additional federal assistance is needed.

Additionally, this past weekend, FEMA proactively deployed regional Incident Management Assistance Teams to the Caribbean to coordinate with territory and local officials to identify needs and shortfalls impacting potential disaster response and recovery. While Hurricane Irene moves away from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, FEMA encourages those in the area to continue to monitor weather conditions and listen to the direction of commonwealth and territorial officials.

As Hurricane Irene approaches the East Coast, FEMA, through its regional offices in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, continues to monitor the storm closely and is in close contact with their respective state emergency management agencies.

In advance preparation for the storm, FEMA has deployed National Incident Management Assistance Teams to staging areas in Georgia and Virginia, in anticipation of further deployment to potential impact areas along the east coast of the U.S. Additionally, at all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories. In Atlanta, for instance, FEMA has more than two million liters of water, more than 1.3 million meals, and more than 16,000 cots and 56,000 blankets. These resources may be moved to Incident Support Bases, which are distribution centers located closer to the impacted areas, as needed and requested by state partners.

These commodities are meant to supplement state resources if needed, but it is critical that individuals and families that are able build their own emergency supply kits, so that in the event of a disaster, state and local resources can be focused on our most vulnerable citizens.

FEMA is coordinating across the federal government to ensure territorial and state officials have the support they need as they respond to or prepare for Irene. New actions as of today include, but are not limited to:

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has started deploying members of the 249th Engineering Battalion (Prime Power) to Puerto Rico to assist with restoring power to the island.

• The Federal Communications Center (FCC) has deployed two Roll Call Spectrum Scanning teams to the FEMA regional offices in Atlanta and Boston. These teams conduct post scans after landfall to determine which critical communications systems might have been impacted.

• Health and Human Services (HHS) is prepared to provide public health and medical support to states along the east coast in response to Hurricane Irene. The HHS is also coordinating with public health and emergency management agencies in U.S. territories and states along the projected hurricane path to make information available on how people can protect their health as they prepare for and respond to hurricanes and other natural disasters.

• The U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) has activated a Defense Coordinating Officer to the FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta in preparation for support to civil authorities as Hurricane Irene approaches the East Coast of the United States.

• The Department of Defense has designated Fort Bragg, North C Incident Support Base to support FEMA operations to respond to Hurricane Irene.

Click here for the previous update on these activities.

FEMA encourages everyone, regardless of whether they live in a hurricane-prone area, to take steps to ensure their families, homes and businesses are prepared for a possible emergency. As a reminder, the month of September is designated as National Preparedness Month (NPM), an opportunity to encourage Americans to be prepared for disasters or emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. Individuals and families can learn about events and activities, and groups can register to become a NPM Coalition Member by visiting http://community.fema.gov. NPM is sponsored by the Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and The Ad Council.

FEMA’s support of disaster response activities in Puerto Rico, and its proactive support for East Coast storm preparations, does not diminish its focus from critical federal disaster response and recovery operations that continue, across the nation, including flooding in the Midwest and the ongoing recovery from the southeastern tornadoes. Every disaster is a reminder that they can happen anytime, anywhere. Now is the time to prepare–visit www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov for tips on creating your family emergency plan and putting together an emergency supply kit.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema,www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities atwww.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Tags: fema, hurricane, irene, nws

Earthquake Information

A reported 5.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in Mineral Springs, Virginia today at approximately 2pm .  MEMA is assessing damages. Do not call 911 nor tie up cell phone signals unnecessarily. Please physically inspect your buildings before re-entering them, be alert for potential aftershocks,  and account for colleagues, family members and friends.

Helpful Links:

MEMA Earthquake Information

National Geological Survey

Tags: earthquake

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Charity Ride from Somerset, Pennsylvania to Arlington, Virginia

(Pikesville, MD) –     Maryland State Police warn motorists who will be traveling through portions of Maryland this weekend, to plan ahead and be advised of the routes being traveled by a group of 2,500 motorcycles and other vehicles while on an organized charity ride from Somerset, Pennsylvania to Arlington, Virginia in remembrance of lives lost on September, 11, 2001.

On Friday, August 19, 2011, from 7:30 a.m. until approximately 3:00 p.m., and on Saturday, August 20, 2011, from 6:45 a.m. until approximately 12:30 p.m., motorists are urged to plan ahead.  The group, called Americas 911 Ride, will travel a route that includes several major roads in Allegany,Washington and Frederick Counties.

The first day of the ride is Friday, August 19, and traffic on I-68, I-70 and on US 15 in Western Maryland  is expected to be affected.  Motorists traveling in Allegany, Washington and Frederick Counties are urged to plan ahead.  For more than 85 miles heading east, participants in the America’s 911 Ride, will travel to their destination, Arlington, Virginia.

According to America’s 911 Foundation, Inc., on August 19, the group is expected to:

• Arrive in Cumberland between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m.
• Travel approximately 35 miles on eastbound I-68 until it merges with I-70.
• Continue east on I-70 an additional 29 miles to Hagerstown and exit east of Hagerstown onto MD 632 toward the Premium Outlets, arriving between 10:30 and 11 a.m.
• Depart the outlets at 1:00 p.m. using MD 65, then travel east on I-70 toward Frederick and exit onto southbound US 15/US 340.
• Exit Maryland on US 15 in the Point of Rocks area heading toward LeesburgVirginia.

Motorists traveling on eastbound I-68 or eastbound I-70 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. should strongly consider avoiding those routes on Friday, August 19.  The entire group is likely to stretch up to 15 miles in length and with ramps blocked, access onto or off of I-68 or I-70 will be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

State Highway Administration will also temporarily close the ramp from westbound I-70 onto US 15/US 340 to allow the group access from eastbound I-70 onto US 15/US 340.  Both eastbound and westbound I-70 share the same ramp.  Westbound I-70 motorists will be directed to the next exit, US 40 Alternate.

Additional perpendicular routes including US 220 in Allegany County,  I-81 in Washington County US 15 north of Frederick in Frederick County and US 522 in Hancock will experience major delays as the group travels along eastbound I-68, eastbound I-70 and southbound US 15.

On Saturday, August 20, 2011, at 6:45 a.m., the 2,500 motorcycles and other vehicles will depart Arlington, making their way north on theBaltimore/Washington Parkway to I-95 North toward New York.  Traffic is expected to be affected until approximately 12:30 p.m. until the group makes their way into Delaware, and north to New York

According to America’s 911 Foundation, Inc., on day number two, August 20, the group is expected to:

• Depart the Pentagon at 6:45 a.m. onto I-395 N towards Washington, DC
• Travel I-395 N into DC
• Take I-295 / Southeast Freeway toward Pennsylvania Avenue
• Right exit & right turn onto Pennsylvania Avenue
• Travel North on I-295 and merge onto the B/W Parkway
• Stay left to merge onto Baltimore Washington Parkway toward Baltimore
• Exit onto I-895 N toward Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thru-Way/ New York
• Merge onto I-95 N toward New York
• Stop at the Maryland House Rest Area (mile marker 83)
• Exit Maryland House onto I-95 N toward  Philadelphia / New York
•  Exit onto I-295 N toward New Jersey Turnpike / Delaware Memorial Bridge
• Right exit onto SR-9 S / New Castle Ave. for fuel around 1:00 p.m.

Motorists traveling northbound on the Baltimore/Washington Parkwayand on I-95 North from 6:45 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. should strongly consider avoiding those routes on Saturday, August 20.  The entire group of vehicles is likely to stretch up to 15 miles in length.  Traffic delays are anticipated along the entire route which may be extremely difficult for motorists.

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), the Maryland State Police, local police and numerous other agencies continue to work together, making preparations in advance of the ride and to ultimately support the safe movement of the large group.

Motorists are also encouraged to plan ahead and use the new Maryland 511 traveler information system.  Key travel information can be obtained before heading out by calling 511 or logging onto http://www.md511.org/

Tags: traffic

Virginia Wildland Fire: Great Dismal Swamp, Suffolk, VA

Great Dismal Swamp, Suffolk, VA: The US Forestry Service has advised there is 6,000 acre brush fire nine (9) miles southeast of Suffolk, VA that has been burning since the evening of Aug 04, 2011 due to a lightning strike. Crews currently only have 10% containment on the fire. It is currently the largest fire in the history of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Re-growth of brush and grasses along with large amount of dead and downed fuel from the 2008 fire is currently fueling this fire. The prevailing winds are blowing smoke into the central, southern and eastern shore regions of Maryland. The National Weather Service in Wakefield Virginia advises this condition will remain throughout today.

This information is for your situational awareness and to use as you deem appropriate when handling inquiries from the public. Additional information is available at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp.  I will continue to update you as information becomes available.

Recommendations…

• Although the smoke being detected in the State may be from this fire in Virginia, persons should make sure any smoke is not from a local fire when reporting.
• Those with known respiratory conditions should use caution regarding your outdoor exposure until the situation improves.

SBA Deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loans in Maryland is September 9

ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding businesses in Maryland that working capital loans are still available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private non-profit organizations that were affected by the severe storms and a tornado that occurred on Nov. 17, 2010.

“Businesses that suffered economic losses as a result of the disaster and want to apply for low-interest loans from the SBA are urged to do so before the Sept. 9, 2011 deadline,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) up to $2 million are available at 4 percent for small businesses and 3 percent for private non-profit organizations of all sizes, with terms up to 30 years. The loans are intended to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.  To be considered for this assistance, disaster victims need to apply by the deadline.

These EIDLs are available to businesses and non-profit organizations in the Independent City of Baltimore; and the counties of Anne Arundel and Baltimore in Maryland.

To obtain disaster loan information and application forms, call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, or send an e-mail to [email protected].  Loan application forms can also be downloaded from http://www.sba.gov/. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

Those affected by the disaster may also apply for disaster loans electronically from the SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

The deadline for economic injury applications is September 9, 2011.

Tags: business, disaster loan, eidls, sba

Highlights of the 2011 Maryland State Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

Reisterstown, MD – The Draft 2011 Maryland State Hazard Mitigation Plan Update is ready for  public review.  The plan’s public outreach website is located at http://www.mema.state.md.us/MitigationOutreach. This site contains a summary of the hazards facing Maryland and includes maps that identify each Maryland jurisdictions’ potential vulnerability to a wide range of natural hazards. The site also contains a survey to solicit input from Maryland residents on the greatest dangers facing their region, and what they think can be done to mitigate against natural hazards. The plan update was led by the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and enables the state to remain eligible for FEMA post-disaster and mitigation grant funds.

For more information, contact Rachael Herman at [email protected]

For more information on the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, please visit: www.mema.state.md.us

Tags: Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, Mitigation