{"id":22221,"date":"2020-06-10T08:00:51","date_gmt":"2020-06-10T12:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mema\/?p=22221"},"modified":"2020-06-09T15:59:40","modified_gmt":"2020-06-09T19:59:40","slug":"be-prepared-for-the-effects-of-covid-19-on-2020-hurricane-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mdem\/2020\/06\/10\/be-prepared-for-the-effects-of-covid-19-on-2020-hurricane-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Be Prepared for the Effects of COVID-19 on 2020 Hurricane Season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
Coronavirus Concerns May Change Sheltering and Evacuation Plans; Make Sure Your Kit has Masks, Other Safety Gear; Remember to Know Your Zone<\/strong><\/em><\/td>\n\"The<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Reisterstown, Md. (June 10, 2020) \u2014<\/strong> The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is updating response procedures to include COVID-19 components as it plans for the 2020 hurricane season, and encourages Maryland residents to do the same. Disasters will not wait because of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and evacuation, sheltering, and access to essential preparedness items will be different than in years past.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all need to take a closer look at our hurricane preparedness because of COVID-19,\u201d said Russ Strickland, MEMA executive director. \u201cIt is more important than ever to make sure you have a family emergency plan and be ready to follow the directions of local emergency officials.\u201d<\/p>\n

MEMA has been working with other state agencies, local, and federal partners to update hurricane \u2014and all natural hazards\u2014 plans for the months ahead. Planners are working to identify shelters with less open space and more individual rooms, such as hotels and motels, apartments and rental properties.<\/p>\n

It also may be important to allow extra time to evacuate because shelters might be farther away. As always, you are better off locating shelter with family or friends outside the expected danger zone or stay at an accommodation of your choice. But state, local, and nonprofit partners will still provide shelter options.<\/p>\n

We also understand that many people are under financial and psychological stress because of COVID-19, and the start of hurricane season can add to that stress. One way to alleviate some stress is to prepare ahead and plan for things you can control.<\/p>\n

Make sure you have a plan if you need to evacuate, prepare a disaster supply kit to the best of your ability, and follow weather information so you will know if a tropical weather system is headed toward the Middle Atlantic region. You should also make sure the supply kit has adequate masks and hand sanitizer for everyone in your evacuation group.<\/p>\n

Marylanders also should\u00a0Know Your Zone<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>to see if the places you live, work or visit are in one of Maryland\u2019s three evacuation zones. The\u00a0Know Your Zone<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>program allows local emergency officials to order evacuations by letter zones (A, B and C). To learn more about\u00a0Know Your Zone<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0or to see if you might be in an evacuation zone,\u00a0please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Remember that even if you are not in one of the Maryland evacuation zones, you could still feel the effects of hurricanes and other hazards. Hurricanes can spawn flash floods, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes many miles away form the eye of the storm and 100 miles or more inland.<\/p>\n

Here are some additional considerations while planning for hurricanes and other hazards during the COVID-19 pandemic:<\/p>\n