St. Mary’s County Department of Public Safety would like you to Be Aware and Be Prepared for this Severe Weather
Season. We are prone to a wide variety of natural hazards in our county, including severe thunderstorms, flash
flooding and tornados. There are simple steps to take which can help save lives and mitigate the effects from these
severe weather hazards. First and foremost is to become educated with the terms which are used to warn the public
of pending weather and the systems which deploy these warnings.

• A WATCH means that a severe thunderstorm, flash flood or tornado is possible in your area.
You should monitor a NOAA Weather Radio or local radio and television news outlets for the
latest developments.

• A WARNING is when a thunderstorm, flash flood or tornado is actually occurring, take shelter
immediately.

CodeRED Weather Warning is an early telephone warning system designed to automatically deliver targeted
weather notifications for the immediate threats of severe thunderstorms, flash floods and tornado warnings within
moments of being issued by the National Weather Service. Weather Warning delivers a pre-recorded alert message
via phone to citizens in St. Mary’s County who choose to sign up. The system sends these notifications 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year providing the needed time to prepare for severe weather events. This becomes critical if a
tornado comes through your area during the night, when television, radio broadcasts and sirens are less effective.
If there is a tornado warning for any area in St. Mary’s County, Emergency Communications will activate the Fire &
Rescue Sirens with a “Take Cover” signal for Tornado Warnings. This signal last for 13 cycles and is significantly
different from a fire or rescue call signal. This system is tested on the first Saturday of every month. Please be
aware of the monthly test and do not confuse it with an actual Tornado Warning.

If you hear the Tornado Warning or the Take Cover Signal:
• Take shelter immediately. Determine in advance where you will take shelter.
• Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.
• If underground shelter is not available, go into an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they attract debris.
• A vehicle, trailer or mobile home does not provide good protection. Plan to go quickly to a building with a strong foundation, if possible.
• If shelter is not available, lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
• Plan to stay in the shelter location until the danger has passed.
• Get a kit of emergency supplies. Store it in your shelter location.

Sign up for CodeRED Weather Warning at: www.stmarysmd.com/emergencycodered.asp or contact the Department of Public Safety (301) 475-4200, Option 6, Option 3.

For more information on preparing for severe weather, contact the Department of Public Safety at (301) 475-4200
ext. 2125 or visit our website at www.stmarysmd.com/Emergencycomm.