SALISBURY — A monster tempest began drumming Delmarva on Sunday with increasingly heavy rain, wind and surf in the first of an expected three days of punishing weather.
Across Delmarva, authorities urged residents vulnerable to Hurricane Sandy’s threats to head to storm shelters – and not to expect immediate help if they need it at the height of the storm.
“If you’re remaining behind, please understand that help may not be able to reach you for several days once the height of the storm reaches us,” warned Sussex County spokesman Chip Guy.
The trademark of most hurricanes is that they make landfall and leave within a matter of hours. With Sandy, plan to have enough food, water and medications to stay put for at least three days, emergency managers advised.
Wind gusts of up to 75 mph — just above the minimum for hurricane force — could lash Ocean City and other coastal areas along the peninsula today, National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Rusnak said. Sustained winds could reach up to 50 mph as the center of Hurricane Sandy passes within about 150 miles of the resort town this afternoon on its way toward New Jersey.
By then, the storm is expected to have merged with a cold front and a blast of dry, Arctic air. The hybrid system — or “Frankenstorm,” as forecasters have dubbed it — stood to leave virtually the entire Northeast and Mid-Atlantic mangled and soaked.
In Maryland alone, more than 30,000 coastal properties representing $9 billion in value stood at risk of damage, according to the California consulting firm CoreLogic. Delaware had another estimated 9,000 properties valued at more than $2 billion in harm’s way.
The bruising storm threatened to drop about 10 inches of rain on Delmarva and hit beaches with 6 feet of storm surge.
“This is a formidable storm,” Rusnak said. “You’re going to be on the south side of this, but that’s not going to be much of a difference because this is such a big storm.”
Like most states in Sandy’s path, Maryland and Delaware were already under a state of emergency. Schools across the Delmarva Peninsula are closed today, in part to allow those sites to be converted into shelters.
Monday, October 29, 2012
O.C. Residents Who Didn't Evacuate Told to Shelter in Place
OCEAN CITY, Md.- Ocean City officials are advising anyone who has not evacuated the resort town to shelter in place by remaining where there they are for the duration of the storm.
Residents and visitors are advised to stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows or glass doors. Also, emergency services officials are requesting citizens stay off the roadway as conditions are expected to worsen.
Officials are offering the following safety tips:
- Keep curtains and blinds closed, close all interior doors and secure and brace external doors.
- Do not be fooled if there is a lull in the storm, as it could be the eye of the storm and winds could pick up again. If necessary, take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.
The Emergency Operation Center is fully staffed and operating 24 hours. Officials said that Ocean City emergency responders, including fire and police personnel, have responded to numerous weather-related premise alarms and fire alarm activations, however; no injuries have been reported at this time. Officials said that at approximately 7 a.m. Monday, the Ocean City fishing pier was significantly damaged after losing several pieces throughout the storm.
During the storm, the Town of Ocean City will be posting storm-related information on various websites, social media outlets, through the GovDelivery system and the television access channel. Citizens are asked to tune into Ocean City's Government Access Channel (4 & 15) for further detailed information or advisories. To subscribe to GovDelivery, visit the "City Wide Alerts" tab on the Town of Ocean City's website at http://oceancitymd.gov . Residents with questions or concerns can contact (410) 289-8967
Town of Delmar
Town Hall may be closed because we are not conductng any business, but PLEASE if you find yourself in an emergency situation, our police and fire departments are fully staffed and ready to respond! The mayors, council and commission will be receiving updates throughout the day and will get info to you as we get it! Mayor Anderton and Commissioner Gibb are out now assessing the neighborhoods. So far so good, but don't get comfortable and drop your guard. Be vigilant!
Updates From Delmae Weather
Final landfall estimate is at Cape May, NJ then crossing the Delaware Bay and making a second landfall in Delaware.
Sandy has strengthened overnight to a 946mb 85 mph hurricane!!
Hurricane Sandy is stronger than it was expected to be and it should strengthen more. Do not be surprised to see a Cat 2 hurricane make landfall
Md. SHA Moves into Action as Sandy Prepares for Landfall
ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Hurricane Sandy is affecting much of Maryland and will continue to cause road conditions to deteriorate throughout the day as the eye moves closer to landfall, the State Highway Administration said early Monday.
The SHA said that with the worst of the storm expected to pound Maryland with heavy rain and high winds Monday and Tuesday, widespread power outages and a possible blizzard in far Western Maryland are expected.
Eastbound U.S. Route 50 remains closed entering Ocean City. The SHA noted that heavy rain bands are continuing to move across the region and winds are forecasted to pick up and gusts in excess of 60 mph are likely.
Officials said that more than 640 SHA crews are active across Maryland with an additional 1,500 SHA operations personnel prepared to respond to high water, downed trees and traffic signal issues.
Eastbound U.S. Route 50 remains closed entering Ocean City. The SHA noted that heavy rain bands are continuing to move across the region and winds are forecasted to pick up and gusts in excess of 60 mph are likely.
Officials said that more than 640 SHA crews are active across Maryland with an additional 1,500 SHA operations personnel prepared to respond to high water, downed trees and traffic signal issues.
"Today is one of those days to follow the advice - don't travel unless you absolutely have to, " said SHA Melinda B. Peters. "It is worth repeating that a new law enacted Oct. 1 mandates drivers must treat intersections with non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops. Do not assume you or the other driver has the right-of-way; make eye contact if possible and proceed safely through the intersection."
In response to the storm, the SHA said it is:
In response to the storm, the SHA said it is:
- SHA crews are monitoring and patrolling state roadways. Equipment, including saws and chippers, high-water signs and sandbags are at the ready. Providing real-time traffic information and storm-related road closures through Maryland's 511 phone system and at WWW.MD511.ORG as well as www.roads.maryland.gov where you can click on CHART to see live traffic cameras.
- Programming overhead Variable Message Signs along major roadways and Traveler Advisory Radios to inform motorists of crashes, delays and route diversions. However, smaller routes prone to flooding may not be listed since they not be reported. Just because a road isn't listed as problematic on these resources, conditions change quickly, so use caution and allow extra time regardless.
Wind Restrictions in Effect at Bay Bridge
STEVENSVILLE, Md.- Wind Restrictions went into effect at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge just after 2 a.m. Monday, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority. Currently, the Francis Scott Key (I-695), Harry W. Nice Memorial (US 301) and Hatem (US 40) bridges are in wind warnings. No other bridges are in warnings or restrictions at this time.
The wind warnings and restrictions are defined by the MDTA as follows:
Wind Warning - Sustained wind speeds or wind gusts of 30-39 mph. When wind warnings are in effect, operators of house trailers, box trailers, motorcycles, vehicles with roof-mount racks containing cargo or any other vehicle that may be subject to high winds are advised to use caution while traveling across the bridge.
Wind Restriction I - Sustained wind speeds or wind gusts of 40-49 mph. When wind restrictions are implemented, house trailers, empty box trailers or any vehicle that, in the opinion of law-enforcement personnel, may not safely cross the bridge will be prohibited from traveling the bridge. Motorists who are denied passage will be assisted with safely turning around.
Wind Warning - Sustained wind speeds or wind gusts of 30-39 mph. When wind warnings are in effect, operators of house trailers, box trailers, motorcycles, vehicles with roof-mount racks containing cargo or any other vehicle that may be subject to high winds are advised to use caution while traveling across the bridge.
Wind Restriction I - Sustained wind speeds or wind gusts of 40-49 mph. When wind restrictions are implemented, house trailers, empty box trailers or any vehicle that, in the opinion of law-enforcement personnel, may not safely cross the bridge will be prohibited from traveling the bridge. Motorists who are denied passage will be assisted with safely turning around.
Chincoteague Causeway Closing
CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. - Chincoteague Causeway to close at 10:15 PM on Sunday. No traffic on or off Island after this time until further notice.
Crews From South To Assist Delmarva Power In Power Restoration
DELMARVA - Delmarva Power officials tells us it's all hands on deck.
The company has activated all its field personnel including utility crews from states as far away as Alabama and Louisiana to assist with restoring power in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Delmarva Power has nearly 360 internal and contract line personnel and 200 tree removal personnel on the system and ready for quick mobilization. Delmarva Power's parent company, Pepco Holdings Inc. (PHI), has requested a total of 3,700 outside crew members through the utility mutual assistance process. At this time, PHI has received commitments for a total of 1,473 crew members, some of whom arrived today. PHI is working to secure additional commitments. Delmarva Power has set up a staging area for personnel and materials at the Fisker Plant in Wilmington, Del., and the Perdue Shorebirds Stadium in Salisbury, Md. Crews will be deployed based upon greatest damage and need.
In addition, non-field employees have assumed special storm roles to support the restoration. These roles include damage assessors, crew guides and additional staff to answer customer calls.
Delmarva Power is warning that tens or even hundreds of thousands of customers could lose power during this storm. "Officials say crews will begin working as soon as winds subside and are asking customers to be patient. If the winds are exceedingly high at 40 miles per hour or more, by safety regulations we have to with hold any overhead or aerial work. So sometimes a lot of work has to be put on hold if the storm is raging, just for safety reasons. Then once the storm comes through, we go out and assess the damage, we see what needs to be repaired, what the problem spots are. So I'm reminding customers there could be outages of significant length," spokesperson Matt Likovich said.
Delmarva Power is also urging customers to put together a storm kit with essential needs
Delmarva Power is also urging customers to put together a storm kit with essential needs
Calling 9-1-1
9-1-1 System
Calling 9-1-1
WHAT IS 9-1-1?
-1-1
is in reality a PHONE SYSTEM. It’s a three-digit EMERGENCY telephone
number established to provide EMERGENCY help to you as fast as possible.
9-1-1
Connects citizens with operators who are trained to process calls for assistance as
quickly and efficiently as possible. The
9-1-1 system reacts to EMERGENCY request
for Police, Fire and/or Ambulance.
WHY SHOULD I CALL 9-1-1?
Calling 9-1-1 could save a life. It is easier than using a
Ten-digit number and will connect you faster than dialing “0”. The
9-1-1 consoles are staffed
around the clock to handle EMERGENCIES. The information received and/or the caller is
immediately given to Police, Fire and Ambulance dispatchers who send help to your location.
WHO CAN USE 9-1-1 IN WICOMICO COUNTY?
Everyone can use 9-1-1, but you need to keep in mind if you’re calling from an
exchange outside of Wicomico County you will be quickly transferred to the appropriate
County for assistance. For Delmar, residents with an 846 exchange, when you dial
9-1-1 you
will be connected to a Georgetown operator. For those Sussex County residents who border
our County and require assistance from agencies in Wicomico County, you must dial the ten
digit EMERGENCY number (410)749-4141.
WHEN SHOULD I USE 9-1-1?
Dial
9-1-1 ONLY when there is a LIFE – THREATENING EMERGENCY or CRIME IN
PROGRESS that requires fire equipment, a police officer, or an ambulance. Emergencies such
as any type of Fire, Automobile Accidents, Emergency Illnesses, Serious Injuries, and Crimes
in progress which are escalating to the point of threatening life or property can and should be
reported.
NON- EMERGENCY CALLS
9-1-1 Should not be used for non-emergency assistance or for informational type calls.
You should call the appropriate agency directly. Those numbers are listed in the front of the
local phone book and on the last page of this pamphlet.
HOW DOES 9-1-1 WORK IN WICOMICO COUNTY?
Our 911 Center serves as an EMERGENCY ANSWERING POINT, answering, handling
and forwarding EMERGENCY requests to the appropriate agencies. The 911 Operators in our
Center dispatch all Fire, Ambulance and Rescue Companies for this County. All Police
requests are transferred to the proper law enforcement agency for dispatching. This
arrangement allows the caller to speak directly to that law enforcement agency. The 911
Operator can stay on the line during the transfer and will be able to coordinate multiple
agency responses if necessary.
9
REMEMBER *****WHEN DIALING 9-1-1 !
1.) Is this an EMERGENCY ?
2.) Be prepared to give your name, phone number and
the exact location of the emergency.
MISSUSE OF 9-1-1
False alarms/calls cost authorities valuable time that could be better spent handling real
emergencies AND is a crime!
9-1-1 AND THE HEARING IMPAIRED
The 9-1-1 Center has TDD/TTY capability for communicating with hearing and speech
impaired callers.
911 SYSTEM CAPABILITIES
The 911 Computer System assists in identifying locations, response, incident recording and
record keeping. Capabilities include:
** An ANI (Automatic Number Identification) System automatically records the caller’s
phone number and voice.
**An ALI (Automatic Location Identification) System automatically shows the location of
the phone.
Department of Emergency Services
Department
of Emergency Services
Emergency Management
Division
The division is
responsible for updating and maintaining emergency plans to deal with
Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery for natural and man-made
disasters.
Members of the
division participate with several community and area committees, and
organizations on a regular basis to maintain working and cooperative
partnerships in the furtherance of emergency preparedness. These committees and organizations include
the Delmarva Emergency Task Force (DETF), PRMC Disaster Committee, Local
Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), Salisbury Mutual Assistance Group, US Coast
Guard Area Contingency Planning Committee, Maryland Emergency Management Agency
(MEMA), and the Maryland Emergency Management Association.
The division
monitors the climate of National and Worldwide threats and identifies necessary
preparedness activities and emergency operations planning. This is a constantly changing effort in order
to maintain the County’s state of preparedness.
The division also maintains a constant monitoring status of weather
activity through an array of redundant systems to ensure real time awareness and
immediate community notification.
The Emergency
Management Division in conjunction with the LEPC is also responsible for
administration and record keeping for the Hazardous Materials Regulatory Program
authorized under the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act
of 1986 (EPCRA). Planning is a priority
for the office, however not the only aspect of the division. The division also
assists with emergency response to hazardous material incidents throughout the
county.
Education is very
import and the Emergency Management Division is very involved in community
training. This is being done through a program called Citizens Emergency
Response Training (C.E.R.T). The
division is also charged with coordinating the National Incident Management
System compliance for all Wicomico County
The division may be contacted by calling
410-548-4820.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
HURRICANE
PREPAREDNESS
A
hurricane is a severe tropical storm.
The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak
season from mid-August to late October.
Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several
hundred miles inland. Hurricanes can
produce winds exceeding 155 miles per hour as well as tornadoes.
Hurricanes cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall. Floods and flying debris from the excessive
winds are often the deadly and destructive results of these weather events. Flash flooding can occur due to intense
rainfall.
Before a
Hurricane
To prepare for a hurricane, you should
take the following measures:
·
To begin
preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family
communications plan.
- Learn community hurricane
evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go
and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate.
·
Make plans to
secure your property:
- Cover all of your home’s windows.
Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option
is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to
install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
- Install straps or additional clips
to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof
damage.
·
Be sure trees
and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
·
Clear loose and
clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
- Reinforce your garage doors; if
wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.
- Plan to bring in all outdoor
furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
·
Determine how
and where to secure your boat.
·
If in a
high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor.
During a
Hurricane
If a hurricane is likely in your area,
you should:
- During any storm, listen to local news and utilize a
NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone to receive warnings.
·
Secure your
home, close storm shutters and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
- Turn
off utilities if instructed to do so. Turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest
setting and keep its doors closed.
·
Turn off
propane tanks
·
Avoid using
the phone, except for serious emergencies.
·
Moor your
boat if time permits.
- Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purpose such
as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other larger containers
with water.
·
Find out how
to keep food safe during an after and
emergency.
You should evacuate under the following
conditions:
- If you are directed by local
authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
- If you live in a mobile home or
temporary structure – such shelter are particularly hazardous during a hurricane no matter how well fastened to the
ground.
·
If you live
in a high-rise building – hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
·
If you live
on the coast, in a floodplain, near a river, or on an island waterway.
If you are unable to evacuate, follow
these guidelines:
·
Stay indoors
during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
·
Close all
interior doors – secure and brace external doors.
- Keep curtains and blinds closed.
Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm – winds
will pick up again.
·
Take refuge
in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.
·
Lie on the
floor under a table or another sturdy object.
·
Avoid
elevators.
Residents of the County can
obtain additional information on hurricane preparedness as well as other
emergency preparedness topics by utilizing the Department of Emergency Services’
web site at www.wicomicocounty.org/es in the section entitled Emergency Preparedness Topics or by
calling 410-548-4820 for information.
Latest Update
SANDY
Next Update at 5:00am ET
HurricaneStrengthHurricaneStrength
1CAT
35.2 N
70.5 WLocation
70.5 WLocation
N
at 14 mphDirection
at 14 mphDirection
75mphWind
950mbPressure
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)