Story Category: Live Updates »

St. Mary’s County has established a Disaster Recovery Center to assist private residents in their efforts to coordinate private property related damage and recovery efforts for those that have been affected by Hurricane Irene. Representatives from the Department of Social Services, Housing Authority of St. Mary’s County, Department of Aging and Human Services, State of Maryland - Insurance Administration will be present to answer questions at 301-475-4911. This center is located at 23115 Leonard Hall Drive (Potomac Building), in Room 14 beginning today at noon until 5 p.m. to assist citizens and will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. through Friday, September 2.

The State of Maryland - Insurance Administration has a telephone service available to assist citizens who have been affected by Hurricane Irene. They are staffed with investigators who understand claims and will help citizens through the insurance claim process. The telephone numbers are 410-468-2360 and 800-492-6116, extension 2360 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The St. Mary’s County Health Department would like to remind citizens that open air burning activities for homeowners should be limited to leaf debris only (i.e. limbs, branches and leaves). If debris cannot be raked, it cannot be burned.

St. Mary’s County Government has established yard waste collection sites for storm debris and citizens are encouraged to use these sites or the roadside collection service on County-maintained roads. Effective immediately, an additional yard waste collection site is available at the A.C. Mattingly Dirt Works site in the Hollywood / Leonardtown Region located on Cedar Lane Road approximately 1.4 miles south of St. Johns Road.

The St. Andrews Landfill remains open under extended hours of operation: Sunday thru Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The tipping fee for residents will be initially waived through Tuesday, September 13, 2011. The six Convenience Centers will remain open under normal business hours.

St. Mary’s County Public Schools are closed for the day.

For questions about power outages, please call SMECO at 1-877-747-6326. St. Mary’s County libraries have set up a special "Charging Station" for residents to recharge their electronic devices. For more information, please call 301-475-4911.