Flood of June 22, 1972 (Hurricane Agnes) on the Patuxent River at Laurel, Md. Flooding in Laurel along Main Street. (Photograph by Dennis F. Gillen, U.S. Geological Survey.)

Twice during 2003, Howard County experienced near-flooding events. The first was on February 22, several days after the “President’s Day Snowstorm” of February 18th. A combination of unseasonably warm temperatures and rain caused the two feet of snow already on the ground to melt rapidly. During the day of the 22nd, the Howard County 911 emergency call center received more than 137 phone calls regarding basement flooding and road closures.

Later that same year, on December 11, the stage was set for a similar episode. Beginning in the evening of December 10th and continuing into the morning, up to two inches of rain fell. The rapidly melting snow equated to one inch of water, adding to the rain totals. By dawn, the Patapsco River had risen to the level of the bridge at its lowest point, and water began to spill into the streets.

Information Courtesy of Howard County Fire and Rescue’s Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, 2004

Most recently, 2003’s Hurricane Isabel tracked through Maryland, causing the president to declare the entire state of Maryland as a disaster area.  Downed trees caused 65,000 of Howard County residents to lose power, and hundreds remained without for more than a week. At one point, 80-90 roads were deemed impassable because of trees blocking the streets.

Read a comprehensive account of the effects of Hurricane Isabel in Maryland.

Historical Occurrences in Howard County

Hurricane Hazel: October 15, 1954
Hazel was listed as a Category 4 storm when it was 250 miles south of Wilmington, NC. Hurricane force winds were maintained as the storm tracked through Washington, DC and near Hagerstown. Hazel brought peak wind gusts in Howard County in excess of 130 mph.

Hurricane Agnes: June 1972
Rain associated with Agnes flooded the Patuxent, the Little Patuxent and the Patapsco Rivers, causing them to rise to 100-year flood levels. Eight people died in Howard County and approximately 700 families were left homeless.

Hurricane Eloise: September 26, 1975
Just three years after Hurricane Agnes, Howard County experienced more flooding with Eloise. The Patapsco swelled 17 feet above flood stage and caused extensive damage, forcing 143 people to leave their homes.

Courtesy of Howard County Fire and Rescue’s Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, 2004

On September 24, 2001, an F2 tornado blew through North Laurel, damaging half of the 47 townhouses in the Settler’s Landing community and causing an estimated three quarters of a million dollars in damage. The tornado uprooted trees, launched patio furniture into the air, and blew out car windows. While no one was seriously injured, many homes were deemed unsafe for a period of time. A state of emergency was declared by the governor for Howard County. (Settler’s Landing photo from Fire and Rescue)

Other weather-related concerns include: Extreme Heat and Cold, Ice Storms, and Snowstorms .

Information Courtesy of Howard County Fire and Rescue’s Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, 2004

In recent months, governments and health care experts have become increasingly concerned about the potential for a global flu pandemic, and the serious risks to individuals and communities such a pandemic would pose. Local communities, like Howard County, will need to be prepared to respond to a pandemic. As one expert has said, the pandemic will be global, but the response will be local.

We are all familiar with the term evacuation, especially when it comes to emergency preparedness. Invacuation is a different – think of Houston, TX during Hurricane Katrina. That city, and the others that surround New Orleans, received people fleeing the disaster area. Howard County, located between Baltimore and Washington DC, would likely receive traffic – in the form of vehicles and people, leaving. With a large influx of people, it is imperative for families to have a plan to contact each other, and stay in touch.

Howard County is tucked in between several major interstates, such as Interstate 95 and Routes 70 and 29.  Trucks carrying hazardous materials travel these interstates all year long, on a daily basis.  If one of these trucks were to have an accident causing it to overturn or explode, a major disaster-response would occur, most likely requiring some residents of the county to evacuate their homes for a given amount of time.  If this happens, there will not be time for residents to gather their belongings – we will need to follow the directions being broadcast via the Public Alert System, and evacuate immediately.  Having a go-kit packed and ready is essential to resident’s comfort and safety.   Not only that, but it will allow Fire and Rescue to concentrate on the job of cleaning up the accident rather than knocking on doors to urge residents to leave.

BGE has provided the following tips for what to do before, during and after energy-related emergencies:

Preparing for an approaching storm:

• Listen to weather forecasts and plan ahead.
  
  
• If you lose power, use flashlights. Do not use candles or kerosene lamps - they can create a fatal safety hazard.

Develop a family emergency plan that includes alternative arrangements should the need arise to vacate your premises. Make provisions for special needs of any family member such as the elderly, handicapped, medically affected, or infants. If you are dependent on electric-powered medical equipment, you are encouraged to seek alternate arrangements in the event that your electric service is interrupted.

Keep the following items on hand:

• Fresh batteries
• A portable radio
• Flashlights
• A manual can opener
• Matches
• A battery-operated or wind-up clock
• Non-perishable food (canned and dried food)
• Fuses
• Sterno
• Make a list of emergency phone numbers (including 1-877-778-2222 to report an outage to BGE) and keep a personal telephone book and one corded phone or cell phone on hand.
• Keep a first-aid kit in your home and one in your car.

Don't forget to include:

• Scissors
• Safety pins
• Aspirin
• Eyewash
• Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
• Keep one gallon of bottled water available for each person in the household for each anticipated day without electric service.
• If your home is served by well water, fill a bathtub with water for sanitation use.
• Keep cash on hand.

Protect Your Food

To protect your food, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Food will stay frozen for 36 hours or more in a fully-loaded freezer if you keep the door closed. A half-full freezer will generally keep food frozen for 24 hours. Consider freezing containers of water ahead of time. The blocks of ice will help keep your food frozen longer.

For more information on keeping food safe during a power outage, visit the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: ABCD's of Keeping Food Safe in an Emergency

During a Summer Power Outage:

• Close all drapes and blinds on the sunny side of your home.
  
  
• Drink plenty of fluids.
  
  
• Take your family and pets to a cool basement location if you have one. Or consider going to an air-conditioned public place during warmer daytime hours.
  
  

During a Winter Power Outage:

• Gather in a central room where there is an alternate heat source like a fireplace, but be sure to keep a screen around an open flame. And don't close the fireplace damper while the ashes are still hot.
  
  
• During the day, open drapes and blinds to let the sun warm the space. Close them at night to minimize heat loss.
  
  
• If the indoor temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, open faucets slightly so they constantly drip, thereby preventing pipes from freezing.
  
  

Always remember these important heating safety tips:

• A fuel-burning heater, such as kerosene, requires proper ventilation to prevent buildup of harmful fumes. Place these heaters on a hard, non-combustible surface.
  
  
• Never leave children or pets alone with a portable heater when it's in use.
  
  
• Never use a gas range for room heating.
  
  
• Never use charcoal as in indoor heating or cooking source.
  

Generators

Follow these simple guidelines for safe use of your home generator:

BGE requests that all customers with generators hooked directly to their home's electrical system turn off their main circuit breaker in order to avoid injury to BGE crews as they attempt to restore power.

• If you use a generator during an outage, carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions.
  
  
• If your generator is to be hooked directly into your home's electrical system, be sure to use a licensed electrician to do the work.