Hurricane Florence: What MD Can Expect As Storm Hits Land

By Staff Reporter
Posted on 09/13/18 | News Source: Pikesville Patch

All of Maryland is under a state of emergency as the category 2 storm slowly approaches land. Tidal flooding and rains are a top concern.

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Wait and watch: That's what millions of Marylanders have been doing all week as Hurricane Florence lumbers toward the East Coast, with local forecasters expecting the now-category 2 storm to make landfall in the Carolinas. All of Maryland is under a state of emergency as the storm slowly approaches; tidal flooding and rains are a top concern for forecasters in the state. As of 8 a.m. Thursday, the storm was slowing down as it approached the Carolina coast, with Florence's outer bands of rain already reaching North Carolina. The National Hurricane Center is warning of life-threatening storm surges and flooding in the Southeast.

Maryland officials say that while the state seems likely to escape strong winds, residents should remain prepared for any residual impact from the storm. The National Weather Service says that the Eastern Shore will still feel significant impacts including strong winds, moderate to major tidal flooding and heavy rain, and could last through the weekend. Local forecasters say rain will likely be Florence's impact on the state, with WBAL-TV Meteorologist Ava Marie predicting Maryland will get an inch of rainfall, most of which would come Friday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for southeast Harford County, which is in effect until 4 p.m. Thursday. Tides could be 2 feet above normal. A carnival in Havre de Grace was postponed, but many other events planned for the weekend are still happening. Water levels may be higher than usual for the next several days, the city said in a statement.

There were 10 gates open at the Conowingo Dam Thursday morning, officials said.

The weekend looks much drier, with a few showers. The wind does not look like a widespread danger in Maryland with top winds of 15-20 mph through the weekend. But the wind will be steady from the east, which will prolong the coastal flooding. Tides could continue to run 1-2 feet above normal through the weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood advisory until 4 p.m. Thursday for Washington D.C., Alexandria, Virginia and St. Mary's County, and a coastal flood watch for the same areas into Saturday. Though the forecast calls for rain from Thursday through Saturday night, amounts are small unless a thunderstorm dumps on a local area. "As Florence approaches the Carolinas, an influx of onshore winds at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay will cause water levels in the Bay/Tidal Potomac to increase," the NWS said Thursday. "A Coastal Flood Watch has been posted for southern Maryland as well as DC/Alexandria. This area may need to be expanded. Once forecast certainty grows, an upgrade to a warning may be required."

What's left of Florence could turn north early next week, bringing rain to Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, predicts The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang. More rains in a summer filled with flooding could topple trees and cause power outages.

"Flooding is still a concern and we need to remain prepared," the Maryland Emergency Management Agency said on Facebook. The agency also reminded residents who want to help the areas that will suffer heavy damage to donate cash to trusted charities.

The Anne Arundel County Emergency Management Office said on social media that Marylanders will miss the worst of the storm initially. "This doesn't mean we should let our guard down though! The weekend may bring tidal flooding and continued rainfall. Preparing for storms is a crucial element of keeping your family safe during emergencies," the office said.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service's Maryland Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue Team left Rockville early Wednesday for Columbia, South Carolina, in advance of Hurricane Florence. The 80-member team is made up of search and rescue professionals with experience in heavy concrete structure collapses, wide-area searches and swift-water rescues. The caravan included tractor trailers, support vehicles, six K-9s and six boats.

"We continue to monitor Hurricane Florence as it moves toward the coast. Please, take this time to prepare yourself, your family, and your home," Gov. Larry Hogan said Monday. Officials said a rumor spread on social media falsely said Crisfield, Maryland, was under evacuation orders.

Storm preparations should include having a storm kit, evacuation plan, and proper insurance coverage, which includes flood insurance, says AAA Mid-Atlantic. "Along with your hurricane supply kit, officials recommend that families ensure they have emergency plans in place and that they communicate and practice them with family members and friends. According to FEMA officials, 60 percent of Americans do not practice what to do in the event of a natural disaster."

If it seems like hurricane season has been getting worse and worse, it's because it has, says AAA. In 2017, there were 17 named storms – ten of which were hurricanes, with sustained winds of at least 74 mph – and together they caused a record $316 billion in damage. Last year was also the first time in which the United States endured two storms that were Category 4 or stronger in the same year.

Florence is the first storm above category 3 to form this season and has formed as the Atlantic hurricane season reaches its peak.

Power Outage Tips

• Use flashlights during outages instead of burning candles. Keep plenty of fresh batteries on hand at all times.
• If using candles, make sure they are placed on a stable piece of furniture in sturdy holders that will not tip over. Candles should fit in the holders securely and the holders should be made of material that will not burn.
• Keep candles away from anything combustible, such as clothing, books, papers, curtains, decorations or anything else that can burn.
• Do not place candles where they can be knocked over by children or pets. Always extinguish all candles when leaving the room or before going to sleep.
• Never use candles, matches or lighters if medical oxygen therapy is used in the home.
• Charged solar landscape lighting can be brought indoors for temporary lighting as a safe and effective alternative to candles.
• Ensure burners on stoves are in the off position during a power outage and remove any items from the stove-top to prevent unattended heating when the power is turned back on.
• Install and maintain CO alarms inside your home to provide an early warning of carbon monoxide exposure.
• If you use portable generators for electricity during power outages, use extreme caution when refueling. Fuel splashed on a hot muffler could ignite, causing severe burns and serious injuries.
• Never attempt to refuel a generator while it is running. Always allow the unit to cool before attempting to refuel.
• Operate generators outside of the home and outside of garages. Carbon monoxide gas produced by operating generators is poisonous and can quickly cause severe injury or death.

Hurricane Preparation Tips

• Get Prepared: Take action now to be prepared for hurricane season. As the storm approaches, it is often too late to get ready. Make sure you have family evacuation and communications plans, update your emergency supply kit, and evaluate your flood insurance needs.

• Complete a family communication plan. Plan how you will assemble your family and loved ones and anticipate where you will go for different situations. Get together with your family and agree on the ways to contact one another in an emergency and identify meeting locations.

• Create or restock your emergency kit. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency, including an all weather radio.

• Check your insurance coverage. Most homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage or losses from flooding. Review your policy, ensure you're adequately covered and understand exclusions, and contact your agent for any changes.
• Stay Informed. Know where to go for trusted sources of information during a hurricane event. Monitor local news resources for hurricane watches and warnings and follow directions of local officials.

• Determine Your Risk. Find out what types of wind and water hazards are likely in your area. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem and their effects can reach hundreds of miles inland. Since the U.S. has not been hit by a major hurricane (category 3 or higher) in over a decade, "many people are suffering from hurricane amnesia in the forms of complacency, denial and inexperience."
• Develop an Evacuation Plan. Find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if your home is unfit to keep you safe in a hurricane. Speak with family and friends and work out a plan to use their home as an evacuation destination. Be sure to account for pets, since many shelters do not allow them.
• Assemble Disaster Supplies. Supplies are necessary not just for the storm itself, but for the often long and grueling aftermath. Stock up on non-perishable food, water and medicine to support your family for at least a week. Other recommended items are cash and battery-powered radios and flashlights. Since many of us use cell phones, have a solar-powered or hand-crank USB charger.
• Keeping Food Cold. Stock a cooler with ice. Keep what cold air you have inside the freezer – do not open the door any more than necessary. A full freezer should stay at freezing temperatures about two days; a half-full freezer about one day. If your freezer is not full, group packages so they form an "igloo" to protect each other.
• Know Your Risk and Plan Ahead for an Evacuation:
• Know how to receive information including recommendations or orders to evacuate.
• If you plan to go to a shelter, notify staff of any special needs you or your family have.
• Do not return to the evacuation area until the evacuation order is lifted.

Get Tech Ready
Technology has made it easier to prepare for emergencies, but it can be unreliable during big storms if you haven't planned to keep your gadgets protected and powered up. Here are some tips to make sure you are tech ready:

Be Informed

Here are basic commands to get started:

• Download the FEMA app. Receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. To search for open shelters (for disaster survivors): text SHELTER to 43362 (4FEMA).

Make A Social Media Plan

Mobile networks can become overwhelmed during emergencies, making it difficult to place and receive phone calls. Text messages require less bandwidth, which means they are able to be transmitted more reliably.

• Register with American Red Cross's Safe & Well site to let family and friends know you're okay.
• Have an emergency charging option for your phone and other mobile devices. Smartphones have become a vital tool to receive emergency alerts and warnings,, so it's important to make sure you can keep them powered up in an emergency.
• At home: Before severe weather, charge all of your electronic devices. If the power goes out, preserve battery power by minimizing device use. Keep a back-up power source on hand to recharge your phone so that you can stay connected even during an extended power outage.
• In your car: Keep a portable phone charger in your vehicle at all times, and consider purchasing a back-up power supply to keep in your vehicle as well.

• Change the settings on your phone to low power mode or place it on airplane mode to conserve energy.
• Store important documents in a secure, password-protected jump drive or in the cloud.
  • Capture electronic versions of important documents such as insurance policies, identification documents, and medical records. Don't forget to include your pet's information.
  • Back-up your computer to protect photos and other personally important electronic documents.
  • Scan old photos to protect them from loss.
  • Keep your contacts updated and synced across all of your channels, including phone, email and social media. This will make it easy to reach out to the right people quickly to get information and supply updates. Consider creating a group listserv of your top contacts.
  • Create a group chat via a texting app or a thread for family/friends/coworkers to communicate quickly during a disaster.

Sign up for Direct Deposit and electronic banking through your financial institution so you can access your payroll funds and make electronic payments wherever you are. Federal benefit recipients can sign up by calling (800) 333-1795 or at GoDirect.org.

Residents readying for a storm can get tips and advice on the federal government's Ready.gov website. To keep up with potential storms during hurricane season, bookmark the National Hurricane Center's website.

For local weather and severe weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service online.