{"id":25281,"date":"2021-06-01T15:20:58","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T19:20:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mema\/?p=25281"},"modified":"2021-09-09T11:03:18","modified_gmt":"2021-09-09T15:03:18","slug":"2021-atlantic-hurricane-season-starts-on-heels-of-record-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mdem\/2021\/06\/01\/2021-atlantic-hurricane-season-starts-on-heels-of-record-year\/","title":{"rendered":"2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Starts on Heels of Record Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\n

Marylanders in Coastal, Tidal Areas Should “Know Your Zone”<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n

\"The<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Reisterstown, Md. (June 1, 2021)\u00a0<\/strong>\u2014<\/strong>\u00a0The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season starts today, and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency reminds residents that while the\u00a0 effects of the pandemic are beginning to wane, COVID-19 precautions should still be a part of their planning. Residents who live near the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and along the tidal Potomac, also should be familiar with the state\u2019s\u00a0Know Your Zone\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>evacuation program.<\/p>\n

The National Weather Service and other forecasters are predicting a busier than usual hurricane season this year on the heels of a 2020 season that saw a record-setting 30 named storms, 14 of which became hurricanes. Tropical Storm Isaias made landfall in Maryland, leading to a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the state and three counties.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we learned last year, it just takes one storm hitting your area to make a severe impact,\u201d said Russ Strickland, MEMA executive director. \u201cIt is important to make preparations before the season starts, make sure COVID-19 precautions are considered in your family plan and be ready to follow the directions of local emergency officials.\u201d<\/p>\n

MEMA coordinated with other state agencies, local, and federal partners to update hurricane, and all natural hazards to ensure that the state is prepared for hurricane season. As with the 2020 hurricane season, planners identified shelters with less open space and more individual rooms, such as hotels and motels, apartments and rental properties to reduce the possible transmission of COVID-19, even as the effects of the pandemic are starting to ease.<\/p>\n

Make sure your emergency kit continues to have COVID-19-related supplies, like extra face coverings, hand sanitizer and disinfectant. While mask and spacing mandates are being relaxed, you may be more comfortable having these supplies if you need to go to a shelter.<\/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.<\/p>\n

Marylanders also should\u00a0Know Your Zone\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>to see if the places you live, work or visit are in one of Maryland\u2019s three evacuation zones. The\u00a0Know Your Zone<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0program allows local emergency officials to order evacuations by letter zones (A, B and C) to more easily provide information to those in the area.<\/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 from 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:<\/p>\n