Severe Storm Awareness Week - April 8-14, 2012

Press release from ST. MARY'S COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Department of Public Safety:

In preparation for Severe Weather for 2012, Governor O' Malley has signed a proclamation that the week of April 8-14, 2012 will designated as SEVERE STORMS AWARENESS WEEK for the state of Maryland. It will feature a number of events, which will heighten everyone's understanding of severe weather in Maryland. St. Mary's County Public Safety urges all Marylander's to be prepared for severe weather from tornadoes, flooding, straight line winds and lighting, every household should prepare to face these challenges.

As a part of the Severe Storm Awareness Week, on Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 at 9:45 AM EDT, a Statewide Tornado Drill will be held for Maryland. A tornado drill alert will be sent over NOAA Weather Radio and broadcast media. This test code will not alert on some brands of weather radios, so it will be best to listen to the broadcast at 9:45 AM for the drill message. All Maryland schools, businesses and citizens across Maryland will be strongly encouraged to participate in this exercise and to test their tornado emergency plan.

As a general rule, the most important thing to remember is to go to the lowest small interior room where you are AWAY from any windows.

Plan for Severe Weather:
•Be sure every family member knows important phone numbers for schools, offices, home and emergency services.
•Identify an out-of town contact. It might be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call in town, so an out-of-town contact is in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
•Identify a meeting place near your home where family members can meet if separated during severe weather.
•Identify a meeting place away from your home where family members can meet if your neighborhood in not accessible.
•Map out evacuation routes in case you are ordered to evacuate, and always keep at least a fourth of a tank of gas in your car.
•Know your insurance policies and whether your home is in a flood zone.

For more information visit the National Weather Service web-site at:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/radar_tab.php.

Also visit the Department of Public Safety Emergency Management Division website at
www.stmarysmd.com and click on Public Safety under Citizen Services or you can email
ema@stmarysmd.com.