{"id":6240,"date":"2016-03-21T08:53:46","date_gmt":"2016-03-21T12:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mema\/?p=6240"},"modified":"2016-03-21T08:53:46","modified_gmt":"2016-03-21T12:53:46","slug":"spring-season-brings-chances-for-hazardous-weather-in-maryland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mdem\/2016\/03\/21\/spring-season-brings-chances-for-hazardous-weather-in-maryland\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring Season Brings Chances for Hazardous Weather in Maryland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spring Season Brings Chances for Hazardous Weather in Maryland<\/strong><\/p>\n

March 21-25 is Severe Storms Awareness Week<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

REISTERSTOWN, Md. (March 21, 2015)<\/strong> \u2014 Maryland Severe Storms Awareness Week begins today and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is teaming up with the National Weather Service and local emergency managers to promote citizen awareness and preparedness. During spring, Maryland is at risk for heavy rainstorms, flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes, hail and lightning. All of these hazards typically occur throughout the state every year; however, residents can \u201cbe weather prepared\u201d by ensuring that they know how to receive warnings and practice safety tips.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe spring brings warm weather and more time spent outdoors but this season is also the time of year when we can experience dangerous thunderstorms, flooding, and even tornadoes,\u201d said Governor Larry Hogan. \u201cMarylanders should follow the advice of local and state officials and also use common sense when severe weather is in the forecast.\u201d<\/p>\n

The National Weather Service emphasizes that the mid-Atlantic region is at risk for flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes, hail, and lightning storms every year. \u201cMaryland experiences severe storms regularly during the spring,\u201d said NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Christopher Strong. \u201cOur area is particularly at risk for damaging winds and flooding. We also see hailstorms and even tornadoes. In fact, Maryland has had nearly 100 tornadoes in the past ten years.\u201d<\/p>\n

The National Weather Service and MEMA work closely together and with local government agencies to identify and monitor severe weather systems, develop preparedness plans and safety information and coordinate the response to these storms.<\/p>\n

\u201cSevere Storms Awareness Week is a reminder that hazardous weather regularly occurs in Maryland,\u201d said Russ Strickland, Executive Director of MEMA. \u201cIf a strong storm is in the forecast or you receive an alert or warning, first, get indoors, then, communicate with your neighbors, friends and family to make sure they\u2019re aware of the situation and are safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Residents can also take the following actions to be prepared and remain safe:<\/p>\n