In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy last October, thousands of Marylanders were forced to leave their homes and seek emergency shelter. Many stayed with friends and family until power was restored or sought refuge in hotels. For those who had nowhere else to turn, DHR, through the local departments of social services, set up emergency shelters, providing some 1,500 Marylanders with a safe alternative to remaining in homes that had no power, no heat, or were damaged by the storm.
Our commitment to helping these families didn’t end when the shelters closed. For several months after the storm, DHR emergency operations personnel have worked tirelessly with our partners at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help those hit hardest by the storm apply for federal disaster and emergency food assistance.
DHR’s Pam Spring (center) and volunteers help setup an emergency food distribution site for victims of Hurricane Sandy in Somerset County in January.
I mention this now because a winter storm could bring up to 5 inches of snow to parts of Maryland this week, and also because National Severe Weather Preparedness Week begins today (March 3-9, 2013). This is a good reminder that severe weather can strike anywhere and at any time, so it’s important that every individual and community be weather-ready.
To prepare your family to be weather-ready, follow these three steps:
Know your risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly and visit FEMA’s emergency preparedness Website to learn more about how to be better prepared and how you can protect your family during emergencies.
Take Action: Prepare your family for severe weather by filling out your family communications plan that you can e-mail to yourself, putting an emergency kit together, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and getting involved. Sign up to receive localized alerts from local emergency management officials or the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.
Be an Example: Once you have taken action, share your story with your family and friends through any social media site. Technology today makes it easier than ever to be a good example and share the steps you took to help us achieve the vision of a Weather-Ready Nation.
For additional information on emergency preparedness, go to www.weather.gov and www.ready.gov/severe-weather, or the Spanish-language Website: www.listo.gov.
