How To Prepare For MD Hurricane Season During A Global Pandemic

MARYLAND — When you combine the expectation of an active hurricane season along the Atlantic Coast this year with a global pandemic, the result may be quite daunting. However, residents are encouraged to prepare for the hurricane season as usual, but with a few modifications and additions to their emergency plan to accommodate for the coronavirus.

According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, people can expect a 60 percent chance of an above-normal hurricane season. The center anticipates between 13 to 19 named storms of which six to 10 could develop into hurricanes. Three to six of those expected hurricanes could manifest into major hurricanes ranging from category three to five in intensity.

“As Americans focus their attention on a safe and healthy reopening of our country, it remains critically important that we also remember to make the necessary preparations for the upcoming hurricane season,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Just as in years past, NOAA experts will stay ahead of developing hurricanes and tropical storms and provide the forecasts and warnings we depend on to stay safe.”

James Krempel with Anne Arundel County’s office of emergency management, identified a dozen ways residents and businesses in the mid-Atlantic region can stay on top of changes in weather and other emergencies.

“Preparation should begin today while the weather is good and there’s time to build a smart hurricane plan in advance. If you get properly prepared for a hurricane, you’re ready for just about any natural disaster,” Krempel told Patch.

Residents should perform the following safety precautions as soon as possible:

• Sign up for alerts and warnings from your county and state, as well as NOAA Weather Radio https://www.weather.gov/nwr/
• Make a plan - visit https://www.ready.gov/plan
• Plan with neighbors - communities are more resilient when they work together. See Guide to Emergency Planning for Communities
• Know hurricane evacuation zones - visit KnowYourZoneMD
• Save for a rainy day - visit https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness
• Practice emergency drills both at home and at the office
• Make and test a family communications plan
  * Designate a central contact number with a family member or trusted friend, perhaps out of town
  * Text messages will go through when voice lines are overloaded
• Assemble or update emergency supplies - visit https://www.ready.gov/kit (includes CDC recommendations)
• Safeguard valuable documents both physically and digitally
• Make your home safer - visit https://www.weather.gov/wrn/2020-hurricane-strengthen-home
• Document and insure your property - visit https://www.weather.gov/wrn/2020-hurricane-insurance
• Get involved in your community - take an emergency course, volunteer, request a preparedness presentation

The coronavirus pandemic requires everyone plan even more carefully for any emergency, Krempel said.

“This is especially true for older adults and people with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Remember the universal precautions during every step of your planning,” he said.

Maryland Hurricane History
To find out more about hurricane season and storm preparation, read these related Patch stories:

• Remember Agnes? 14 Maryland Hurricane Names You May Want To Forget
• Hurricane Tips If Storm Hits Maryland

Maryland has been spared "the big one" on most occasions, but for roughly 60 years, named hurricanes have battered our water-oriented state, altering our lifestyles and our history.

Hurricanes Connie and Diane pounded Maryland in October 1955. Just days apart in their torture on the East Coast, the storms caused widespread flooding. Connie essentially came right up the Bay.

Meanwhile, Diane came on land near the Carolina border and turned east to pass over northern Maryland before going back out to sea.

More recently, Hurricane Sandy in October of 2012 made landfall just north of the upper Chesapeake Bay region, and destroyed the Ocean City fishing pier. From there it went on to devastate oceanfront areas of New Jersey and New York.

Health Precautions To Take

Residents should abide by the following guidelines even during the hurricane season, Krempel noted:

• Wear a face covering
• Observe social distancing of six or more feet
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Wash hands often for 20 seconds using soap and water or hand sanitizer
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily
• It is safer to stay at home. If you are able to telework, do so.
• If you feel sick, stay home except to get medical care.
• Contact your healthcare professional to see whether you should be tested for coronavirus
• Call 911 if you have a medical emergency
• If you have any questions or want a free testing appointment call your county COVID hotline

Krempel also recommended not waiting for a hurricane watch to be issued, but instead, be sure to have a hurricane plan mapped out and emergency supplies already stocked up before danger strikes.

“Those most at risk are the people who foolishly ignore an evacuation recommendation when life-threatening conditions are imminent. Riding out the storm is a very dangerous gamble. That’s especially true for people living in low-lying areas, particularly on a peninsula with a just single road for evacuation, and those living in mobile or prefabricated homes,” he told Patch.

Senior citizens in particular, along with all other residents, need to voluntarily evacuate "well in advance of a storm to a safe location inland with a family member or friend, or relocate to a hotel or motel."

"It’s better to take a short unplanned vacation with a friend in a potential hurricane than to be isolated in the storm’s full fury. Plan ahead now to leave early with a companion, pack as if for a short vacation, include medications, arrange a ride if you don’t have transportation, travel during daylight hours with a full tank of gas, stay on familiar roads and have a safe destination planned. If you have a pet, plan to take them along, too," Krempel said.

Because the coronavirus pandemic is still present, Krempel said people need to be sure to wear a face covering and observe six-foot social distancing when leaving the home during an evacuation. This fall, it’s important to get a flu shot, too.

Everyone should have an emergency kit on hand, which should contain basic supplies for at least three days per person, Krempel said, which is the length of time it may take for emergency responders to reach someone after a major storm.

“Most of these things are commonsense items you already have around the home. The key is assembling them in advance so you aren’t scrambling around to gather supplies as a storm gets closer. Remember, your kit can cover any type of extended emergency or evacuation,” he said.

Your emergency kit should include:

• One gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation (for three days that
• equals a case of bottled water per person)
• At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, to include pets
• Baby formula and diapers, if applicable
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Personal toiletries and prescription medicines
• Medical items such as glasses, hearing aids (extra batteries), walkers, oxygen, etc
• During the pandemic, we recommend adding a homemade cloth mask
• Cell phone with charger
• Local maps for evacuation (if your smart phone goes out)
• Don’t forget to secure important papers (passports, insurance information, medical information, deeds, wills, cherished photos) in a waterproof container or Ziploc bags.

When a hurricane or emergency strikes and an evacuation isn’t feasible, there are additional safety precautions people should take. When the power goes out during a storm, an emergency kit should contain two flashlights and spare batteries as mentioned in the list above, which is safer than candles. Cell phones should always be charged, as should radios.

Krumpel recommended turning refrigerators and freezers to maximum cold and keeping doors closed when the power goes out. An unopened refrigerator will keep perishable food safe for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature safe for about 48 hours.

“Beyond that you’ll have to rely on non-perishable food. If you use canned goods, have a manual can opener. If you have a home generator be sure it is properly installed, fueled and located in an area safe to operate to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning or fire. And if you or a family member rely on electric-powered medical equipment. have a working generator or plan to move to a location with steady power,” he said.

If residents are able to evacuate:

• Be sure to follow local emergency responders' instructions and always follow posted signs.
• Never drive through flooded waters or around barricades.
• Know that traffic lights and signs may be missing or damaged.