Announcement

Officials urge preparedness ahead of likely high winds, rain due to Tropical Storm Isaias

Sunday, August 2, 2020

(Aug. 3, 2020) The Berlin/Ocean Pines area is now under a tropical storm warning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), with storm conditions beginning as early as tonight.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, in a statement on Monday, said, “Forecasters anticipate that Tropical Storm Isaias will approach the Carolinas today and move along the coasts of Mid-Atlantic states on Tuesday. Marylanders can expect to feel effects from Isaias beginning this evening and intensifying tomorrow –please be prepared for flooding, tidal surge in low lying areas, and tropical storm force winds.”

According to the latest NWS briefing, as of Monday afternoon, the local impact of Tropical Storm Isaias could include high winds, storm surges of 1-2 feet and heavy rains starting late tonight and continuing into Tuesday. Flash flooding could occur from late tonight into Tuesday, with river flooding possible through the end of the week.

Winds higher than 40 mph can be expected, with gusts as high as 70 mph.

A flash flood watch remains in effect everywhere except along the immediate coast. Rainfall of 2-6 inches is possible, with the latest 72-hour forecast predicting about 2 inches of rain locally.

Tornadoes could occur late tonight through early Tuesday afternoon, with enhanced areas of damage, potentially well away from and ahead of the storm's center and with short advanced notice.

Potential impacts of Tropical Storm Isaias include damage to roofing and siding, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports and sheds, NWS said. Large trees may be snapped or uprooted, and some roadways could become impassible. Scattered to widespread power outages are also possible.

Driving conditions could become hazardous and some road and bridge closures are expected.

To track the storm, visit https://www.nhc.noaa.gov.

NWS advice on hurricane and tropical storm preparedness includes securing loose items outside the home, putting together an emergency kit, and planning an evacuation route. For more information on storm preparedness, visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan.

From Ocean Pines:

Ocean Pines drainage experts said the community has more than 300 miles of ditches and encouraged residents to help Public Works by making sure all visible impediments are removed.

For non-emergencies, call the Ocean Pines Police Department at 410-641-7747.

Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steven Grunewald said the fire company will have a high-water truck and boats available, if needed.

“I would remind residents not to drive through flooded streets,” Grunewald said. “If they must venture out, please use caution due to debris in roadways and, if they need help, please call 911.”

Republic Services trash pickup on Tuesday morning will be one hour earlier, because of Tropical Storm Isaias. Pickup on Thursday and Friday will resume on the normal schedule.

The Clubhouse Bar and Grille and Beach Club will be closed on Tuesday, Aug. 4. However, the Yacht Club will open at 11 a.m. and remain open under normal hours. For more information, visit https://www.opyachtclub.com.

Additionally, the Recreation and Parks Department will be closed on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

"We must always think about the safety of our staff and the children in camp and their families. We should be open on Wednesday normal hours,” Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue said.

Ocean Pines Dockmaster Ron Fisher also recommended the following for local boat owners:

If possible, use at least 1/2-inch dock lines. If we have sustained winds of 40-50 mph there is considerable stress on the dock lines. If your lines are less than 1/2 inch, you might want to add extra lines as a precaution.
If you are docked at the Swim and Racquet Club, be certain to adjust your dock lines to allow for tidal surge as these docks are fixed and do not move with the tide.

Fisher said the marina gas dock would close on Tuesday, because of the storm. He added boat owners should start precautionary measures at the beginning of each hurricane season and review them on an ongoing basis. For more information, visit .org/web/pages/news_content?announcementId=269&backURL=/web/pages/opa-news.

From MEMA:

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), in a statement on Friday, also advised Marylanders to "make sure emergency kits include at least two face coverings for each person, hand sanitizer, disinfectants, and other COVID-19 related supplies in addition to the usual disaster supply kit components.”

“Remember that even if you are not in one of the Maryland evacuation zones, you could still feel the effects of hurricanes and other hazards,” the statement said. “Hurricanes can spawn flash floods, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes many miles away from the eye of the storm and 100 miles or more inland.”

According to MEMA, additional considerations while planning for hurricanes and other hazards during the COVID-19 pandemic should include:

If you must evacuate, bring items such as hand sanitizer, cleaning materials and two cloth face coverings per person. Children under 2 years old, people who have trouble breathing and people who cannot take the cloth face covering off without help should not wear cloth face coverings.
Pay attention to emergency information and alerts from official sources.
Determine your best protection for high winds and flooding.
Keep in mind that your best protection from the effects of a hurricane may differ from your best protection from disease.
Unless you live in an evacuation zone, make a plan to shelter in place in your home, if it is safe to do so.
Check with local authorities for the latest information about public evacuation shelters.
Only use generators outdoors and never in a garage. The generator should be at least 20 feet away from your home and away from windows, doors and vents.
Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters.

Hogan advised Marylanders to “Stay tuned for updates from reliable sources, including the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), US National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington, and NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center.”

Learn more about hurricane preparedness from MEMA: https://bit.ly/3k1Yvj3.

Use the “Know Your Zone” tool to determine if the places you live, work, or visit are in one of Maryland’s three evacuation zones: https://bit.ly/31aJYsO.

From local public health officials:

Public health officials in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties issued a joint statement on Saturday, about food safety tips in preparation for potential power outages and flooding.

According to the statement:

Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. For more information on generator safety, visit https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/power-outage/safe-generator-use.html
Always keep meat, poultry, fish and eggs refrigerated at or below 41 degrees F and frozen food below 0 degrees F. In preparation for power outages, turn your refrigerator and freezer down to their coldest settings before the hurricane arrives and power goes out. This will ensure food stays colder for a longer period of time.
If the power goes out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if left closed. A freezer that is full will hold the temperature for approximately 24 hours if the door remains closed. If your freezer is not full, move the items close together to help them stay cold longer. Having some coolers packed with ice can be used to help keep your food cold.
When the power comes back on, you should check the frozen food for temperatures and/or ice crystals. If the food temperature is below 40 degrees F and still has ice crystals, it is safe to re-freeze. Food that has partially thawed and refrozen is safe to eat, although the taste or texture quality may have degraded. Discard all refrigerated food that is above 41 degrees.
Maintain a supply of non-perishable food to keep on hand. This food should not require refrigeration or heating. Examples are canned food, or shelf stable food, bottled water, ready-to-drink baby formula or nutritional drinks. Make sure you also have a hand-operated can opener available.
Discard all food that comes into contact with floodwater. If you live in an area likely to flood, move your food higher on the shelves to keep it out of the floodwater. Floodwater may contain fecal contamination and other disease-causing agents.
Drink only bottled, chlorinated, boiled or otherwise disinfected water. After a flooding event, consider water from wells and the community water suppliers unsafe until it has been tested for safe drinking conditions. When boiling water, bring it to a rolling boil for at least three minutes. You can add household chlorine bleach to your water to disinfect it. Do not use bleach with fragrances or detergents. Add eight drops of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) per gallon of water to allow it to sit for 30 minutes before using it. Try to maintain a supply of bottled water, approximately one gallon per person per day.

“This year’s planning may be different because of COVID-19, so please give yourself more time than usual to prepare your emergency food, water, and medicine supplies,” health officials said. “Home delivery is the safest choice, however, if in-person shopping is your only choice remember to wear a face covering, practice physical distancing, and wash your hands.

“In the event that you may need to evacuate, prepare a go kit with personal items as well as supplies to help protect you and others from COVID-19 including things such as hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, bar or liquid soap, disinfectant wipes (if available), and two face coverings for each person over the age of 2. Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 2, people having trouble breathing, or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or unable to remove the face covering on their own,” health officials added.

Keep a food emergency kit on hand including:

Household bleach or water purification tablets
A handheld can opener
A food thermometer
Waterless hand sanitizer and baby wipes
A small grill or Coleman stove for cooking. NEVER USE INSIDE
A three-to-five-day supply of nonperishable foods such as canned goods, shelf-stable foods, boxed or canned milk, and infant formula and pet food, if needed

For more information, call your local Health Department’s Environmental Health Division, the USDA Food Safety Hotline at 1-800-535-4555, or The Maryland Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available on-line at www.usda.gov/fsis, www.mema.state.md.us, www.cdc.gov, or www.redcross.org.

Local Health Department Contact Information:

Somerset: 443-523-1700
Wicomico: 410-749-1244
Worcester: 410-632-1100

Announcement

Officials urge preparedness ahead of likely high winds, rain due to Tropical Storm Isaias

From Ocean Pines:

From MEMA:

From local public health officials:

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