 Spring Season Brings Chances for
Hazardous Weather in Carroll County
April 8-14 is Severe Storms Awareness
Week
Westminster, MD, April 10,
2018 —
Although it doesn’t quite feel like spring yet, now is the time to begin
thinking about the upcoming severe storms season. This is Severe Storms
Awareness Week, and the Carroll County Department of Public Safety – Emergency
Management is teaming up with the National Weather Service and the Maryland
Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to promote citizen awareness and
preparedness.
During
spring, Carroll County is at risk for flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes,
hail, and lightning. All of these hazards typically occur throughout the state;
however, residents can “be weather prepared” by ensuring that they know how to
receive warnings and practice safety tips.
“This
is the time of year when we can experience dangerous thunderstorms, flooding,
and even tornadoes,” said Board of County Commissioners President Dennis
Frazier. “I urge everyone to use common sense and follow the advice of local
and state officials when severe weather is in the forecast.”
The
National Weather Service agrees with that assessment. “Maryland frequently
experiences severe storms during the spring,” said NWS Warning Coordination
Meteorologist Christopher Strong. “Damaging winds and flooding are the primary
threats, but we also see hailstorms and even tornadoes.”
The
National Weather Service, MEMA, and the Carroll County Department of Public
Safety – Emergency Management work closely together with to identify and
monitor severe weather systems, develop preparedness plans and safety
information and coordinate the response to these storms.
“Severe Storms Awareness Week is a chance to
highlight dangerous weather that often occurs in Maryland,” said Russ
Strickland, Executive Director of MEMA. “This is the time to plan for what you
or your family should do in case of a severe weather warning. Get to a safe
space, then communicate with your neighbors, friends and family to make sure
they’re aware of the situation and are safe.”.
Now
is the time for residents to prepare for severe storms by taking the following
actions:
- During flooding, never enter an area where
water is flowing over a road and you cannot see the pavement. Turn around,
don’t drown!
- If a severe thunderstorm warning is
issued or you are experiencing strong winds, get to a sturdy shelter and
stay indoors away from windows.
- Tornadoes can form rapidly in the right
conditions. If there is a tornado warning or you see a tornado, quickly
get inside and go to the lowest floor possible.
- If you hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck from a fringe lightning strike. More than 98% of
lightning casualties are from people outdoors—get indoors or inside your
vehicle if possible.
Additional
severe weather preparedness and safety information can be found on the Carroll County Emergency
Management website, on MEMA’s website,
and on the website of the National
Weather Service Baltimore/Washington Forecast Office.
For additional information, contact:
Douglas
Brown
410-386-2296
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Severe Weather
Severe weather can happen anytime, in any part of the country. Severe weather can include hazardous conditions produced by thunderstorms, including damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail, flooding and flash flooding, and winter storms associated with freezing rain, sleet, snow and strong winds.
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