Southern Maryland – Although forecasters still can’t tell you whether Tropical Storm Hermine will wobble left toward the Mid-Atlantic or drift out into the ocean, they do say that the storm could bring significant rainfall and wind to portions of Maryland beginning Saturday morning.
Just in time for Labor Day weekend.
Charles County Chief of Emergency Services Michelle Lilly was breathing a sigh of relief Friday morning as indications are Charles and Calvert counties may avoid Hermine’s wrath.
“At worst, they’re calling for 3 to 6 inches of rain with 34 knot winds,” Lilly said. “It appears to be a low hazard, but given that it’s a holiday weekend, we are calling our workers to make sure everyone is ready. We pre-display our assets to be sure that as soon as they’re called for we’re available.”
Lilly agreed that with the uncertain track of the storm, they can’t be sure, but added that the county would be in the 20 percent range for tropical storm force winds.
The National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning for St. Mary’s County, however, along with Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The storm is currently churning over Georgia and South Carolina.
Hermine is moving north-northeast and is forecast to be off the Eastern Shore of Maryland by Saturday.
Rain, wind and localized flooding may continue throughout the weekend and into early next week.
“Marylanders need to monitor trusted weather sources, such as the NWS weather forecast offices and local news stations, in order to stay updated on this tropical system and associated rain,” said Russ Strickland, executive director of Maryland Emergency Management Agency. “Residents and visitors to the Eastern Shore should pay extra attention—tropical storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly.”
The fact that Hermine will only be a tropical storm by the time it sweeps by should not prompt residents to think it is no big deal, however.
Tornadoes often spawn on the fringes of such storms. High winds and heavy downpours are likely.
Isabel was only a tropical depression when it slammed into the region into 2003, but the storm surge triggered by high winds obliterated coastal regions.
But Lilly said Hermine is a different critter altogether.
“The damage caused by Isabel was mostly due to the angle of the storm,” she noted. “The storm surge was the most damaging part. It pushed a lot of water into the Bay, the Potomac and Patuxent. This storm is coming from a different angle.”
Those in potentially affected areas should be familiar with evacuation routes, have a communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have a plan for pets.
Find out more information about hurricane and storm preparedness got to the MEMA web site.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com