Prince Frederick, MD – The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings and watches in Maryland, and the governor has issued a State of Emergency to take effect at 7 a.m. Friday. Calvert County government urges citizens to prepare for heavy snowfall, high winds and dangerous wind chills that will last more than 24 hours. With up to 24 inches of snowfall predicted, citizens are being asked to stay off the roads starting Friday, Jan. 22.
“This will be a crippling storm and the safety of every citizen in Calvert County is our top priority,” said Jackie Vaughan, Director of Calvert County’s Department of Public Safety. “We’re not asking folks to use caution when driving. We’re asking you to not drive until we begin to dig out on Sunday.” Vaughan added the Calvert County emergency management officials have been in constant contact with state and federal agencies for the last 24 hours.
“We prepare well before the snow starts falling,” added Al Jeffery, Calvert County Emergency Management Specialist. “Because of the length and severity of this blizzard, we have already staffed our Emergency Operations Center and are approaching this historic weather event with every resource available.” Jeffrey asked residents to take the following actions before noon tomorrow in preparation for the storm:
- Complete shopping and get needed supplies today.
- Do not plan to shop tomorrow.
- Remove trash cans and recycling bins out of the road.
- Do not park in the streets.
- Bring pets indoors.
- Do not push snow from your driveway into the road.
In the event of a power outage, or downed power lines, customers should contact their provider at SMECO online at www.smeco.coop or by calling 1-877-74-SMECO, or BGE online at www.bge.com or by calling 877-778-2222.
- Residents should have the following items available:
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Battery-operated NOAA weather radio and portable radio to receive emergency information; these may be your only links to the outside
- Extra food and water; high-energy food and food requiring no cooking or refrigeration is best
- Extra medicine and baby items
- First aid supplies
- Heating fuel and an emergency heating source (fireplace, space heater, etc.)
- Fire extinguisher and smoke detector
- Standard, plug-in phone
Residents are encouraged to consider family members or neighbors with special needs and assist them in preparing for the winter weather.
Stay abreast of local information and weather notices by signing up for Calvert ALERT, a notification system that can send messages by text, email, fax, land line and pager. Residents are urged to visit the county website Emergency Alerts link to register for the notification service. Those without Internet access can call 410-535-1600, ext. 2638, to sign up. Residents are also encouraged to stay on top of emergency information by downloading the free “Prepare Me Calvert” emergency preparedness mobile application now available for iOS (Apple) and Android devices through the Apple App Store or the Google Play market.
The Calvert County government web site at www.co.cal.md.us and Facebook page will have updates on local preparations and county government closures should they become necessary.