“Not A Matter Of If, But When”: St. Mary’s Officials Urge Flood Preparedness During Awareness Month

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — With miles of shoreline and water surrounding nearly every corner of the county, flooding is not a distant possibility for St. Mary’s residents, it’s an ever-present reality.

That message set the tone at the St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting as Commissioner Eric Colvin stood before a room of county officials, emergency management leaders, and staff to present a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Flood Awareness Month.

“All right, thank you all for being here this morning. This is an important proclamation, especially for St. Mary’s County,” Colvin said. “We have a lot of coastline. I don’t know if you’ve noticed that. There’s a lot of water around us. So, this is something that impacts a lot of our residents.”

The light remark drew a few smiles, but the underlying message was serious; in a county bordered by the Patuxent and Potomac rivers and the Chesapeake Bay, water is both a defining feature and a persistent threat.

Reading from the proclamation, Colvin emphasized the scale of the issue.

“Whereas flooding is the most prevalent and costly natural hazard in Maryland, and poses a heightened risk in St. Mary’s County, due to its extensive coastline and location between Patuxent and Potomac rivers.”

The designation of April as Flood Awareness Month, he continued, is meant to push residents to think ahead before the next storm, before the next high tide, before the next emergency.

“Whereas the month of April is recognized as Maryland Flood Awareness Month, a time to educate the public on how to protect themselves, their properties and possessions, and their communities, from the negative impacts of flooding.”

Around him stood representatives from multiple county departments: emergency services, public works, and land use; a visual reminder that flood preparedness is not the responsibility of one agency alone, but a coordinated effort across the county.

The proclamation underscored that collaboration.

“Whereas Maryland Flood Awareness Month serves as a vital reminder to assess flood risks, review emergency plans, and support resilient infrastructure and smart land use planning.”

For residents, the message was clear: preparation starts at home.

“Whereas St. Mary’s County residents are encouraged to ensure that their families and homes are prepared for potential flooding by taking precautions, such as having an evacuation plan, emergency kit, and investigating flood insurance for their residents.”

With that, the commissioners formally declared April as Flood Awareness Month, urging the community to take action.

“Now, therefore, we, the commissioners of St. Mary’s County, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2026 as Flood Awareness Month in St. Mary’s County, and urge all residents to educate themselves about flood risks and take necessary precautions to protect their homes and families.”

Following the proclamation, local officials expanded on the risks facing the county and the importance of not becoming complacent.

“As a coastal community, flooding is the most common natural hazard faced by St. Mary’s County, it is not a matter of when it will flood.”

The focus, they said, is on reducing risk and building resilience through infrastructure improvements and planning, but individual preparedness remains critical.

“We encourage residents to know their risk, prepare before flooding occurs, and obtain flood insurance.”

Jennifer Utz, director of the Department of Emergency Services, emphasized that even the best planning efforts rely on community participation.

“The most effective way for us to keep our community safe is to have community engagement, and for people to prepare for days ahead of time and listen to the warning.”

She also took a moment to thank the partnerships that make that preparedness possible at both the local and state levels.

But perhaps the most direct message of the morning came in response to a simple, real-world question about floodwaters.

“If the water level doesn’t look that deep, can we just drive through it?” Colvin asked.

The answer came quickly and firmly.

“Turn around, don’t drown, right? Don’t drive through deep water. Don’t put yourself in any harm’s way. That would ultimately put our first responders in harm’s way to try to help you.”

It was a brief exchange, but one that captured the essence of the proclamation: awareness, preparation, and personal responsibility.

As the group gathered for photos and the meeting moved on, the message lingered: in a place defined by water, staying safe means staying informed.

Flood Insurance Resources For Homeowners

Residents in St. Mary’s County can take precaution by exploring the following flood insurance options and information:

• National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) – Federally backed coverage available through local insurers
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center – Identify your property’s flood zone and risk level
• Maryland Insurance Administration – Consumer guidance and policy information
• Contact private flood insurance providers – Alternative or supplemental coverage options
• Contact your local insurance agents – Personalized guidance based on regional flood risks

Most flood insurance policies require a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making early enrollment essential for protection.

How To Prepare: Emergency Kits And Flood Readiness

Local officials emphasized that preparation ahead of time can make all the difference during a flood event. Having a well-stocked emergency kit and a clear plan in place helps families respond quickly and safely when conditions change.

Build a Basic Emergency Kit

Flood-Specific Additions

Have An Evacuation Plan

Stay Informed

• Monitor local weather alerts and emergency notifications
• Sign up for county alert systems if available
• Follow guidance from local emergency officials

Protect Your Home

• Elevate important items and utilities if possible
• Clear gutters and drainage areas
• Consider installing a sump pump or backflow valve
• Review and update flood insurance coverage

Officials stress that preparation should happen before a storm is on the way.

Taking these steps early not only protects your home and belongings, but also helps keep first responders out of unnecessary danger.

You can watch the full proclamation for Maryland Flood Awareness Month below at 7:59.

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