O’Malley Declares State of Emergency: Mandatory Evacuation for Ocean City, Cell Phones Could Be Taxed

Governor Martin O’Malley today declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene continued to move up the Atlantic Coast. The state of emergency allows the state to use Maryland National Guard resources, allows the Governor to suspend certain statutes (especially as they relate to commercial vehicles) and clears the way for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to send resources to Maryland.

In addition to the state of emergency, Maryland is providing assistances to the evacuation of Ocean City. The mayor and city council have ordered mandatory evacuation form the resort community as of midnight tonight. Earlier, local officials from the Eastern Shore coordinated with state agencies to begin evacuating the student workers from Ocean City to shelters on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay.

Pet owners also should make preparations for care of their pets and make sure to have plenty of food. In addition, if asked to evacuate, make sure your plans include your pets. Some local shelters in Maryland have designated areas for pets, but many do not. Check with your local emergency management office for details.

Additionally, cell phone usage may be taxed during this event. Please limit cell phone calls to urgent or emergency calls and make them as brief as possible. Also do not call local 9-1-1 emergency centers unless you have a true emergency. Their lines need to remain open for serious emergencies.

For the latest information on storm-related activity in Maryland, follow @MEMA_feeds and use the hashtag #MDhurricane.

All state hurricane related information, including preparedness tips for Marylanders, can be found at www.maryland.gov. Other sites for information included the federal ready.gov site and the American Red Cross site at www.redcross.org.

Here are some things residents can do to be prepared:

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. You can use the EFFAK

Emergency Financial First Aid Kit – PDF, 277Kb) developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Family Emergency Plan

• Identify an out-of town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.

• Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. Emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.

• Teach family members how to use text messaging (also knows as SMS or Short Message Service). Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.

• Subscribe to alert services. Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. Sign up by visiting your local Office of Emergency Management web site.
Planning to Stay or Go

Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first important decision is whether you stay where you are or evacuate. You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and available information, including what you are learning here, to determine if there is an immediate danger. In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for information or official instruction as it becomes available. For information on staying put or sheltering in place, click here.
Emergency Information

Find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and man-made, are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified. Methods of getting your attention vary from community to community. One common method is to broadcast via emergency radio and TV broadcasts. You might hear a special siren, or get a telephone call, or emergency workers may go door-to-door.

Edward J. McDonough
Public Information Officer
Maryland Emergency Management Agency
Camp Fretterd Military Reservation
5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive
Reisterstown, Maryland 21136
410-517-3632 (desk)
410-517-3610 (FAX)
410-446-3333 (cell)
410-756-3431 (home)
[email protected]
www.mema.state.md.us
www.twitter.com/MEMA_feeds
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