Full Notification

DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND
340 Montevue Lane ● Frederick, Maryland 21702
TTY: Use Maryland Relay
www.frederickcountymd.gov
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News Release
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Contact: Seamus Mooney, 301-600-1746

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2012


COUNTY OFFICIALS ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SANDY

FREDERICK, MD – Although it is too early to accurately predict the impact, if any, Hurricane Sandy will have on Frederick County, the Frederick County Division of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross, Frederick County Chapter, encourage residents and businesses to be prepared. Even if Sandy remains offshore, she still has the potential to affect the area with heavy rains, flooding and winds.

As with any emergency, residents should have a kit, a plan, and know where to find local information.

1. Make a kit: Include a three-day supply of water for each individual in a household and ready-to-eat non-perishable foods. Don’t forget a manual can opener, battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries. The kit should also have a first aid kit, prescription and non-prescription medications, and copies of important documents.

2. Make a plan: Identify two meeting places -- one near home and one outside the area in case the residents can’t return home. Make plans for pets. Select an out-of-area emergency contact person.

3. Be informed: Keeping the public informed of any hazardous situation is a high priority of county emergency preparedness partners. ALERT Frederick County is a direct link to emergency messages from Frederick County Government. All residents and those who work in Frederick County are encouraged to sign up at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ALERT.

Emergency messages are also broadcast from WFMD 930 AM, WFRE 99.9 FM, WAFY KEY 103.1 FM, Frederick County Government cable television channel 19, Frederick County Public Schools cable television channel 18, municipal government cable television channel 99 (where available), and NBC 25 WHAG TV.

Specific steps can be taken to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm:

If a WATCH is issued:
• Listen to weather updates.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, hanging plants, bicycles, toys and garden tools. Anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Close all windows and doors.
• Cover windows with storm shutters or pre-cut plywood.
• Fill vehicle gas tanks.

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County Officials Encourage Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Sandy – Page Two



If a WARNING is issued:
• Listen to the advice of local officials.
• Stay inside and try and limit time outside of a secure structure.
• Do not use open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
• If power is lost, turn off appliances to reduce damage from a power surge when electricity is restored.


For more information regarding how individuals and families can prepare for emergencies, contact the Frederick County Chapter of the American Red Cross at 301-662-5131 or visit www.redcross.org.

For additional preparedness tips, visit the Frederick County Government website at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/READY, or contact the Department of Emergency Preparedness at 301-600-1746 or via e-mail at [email protected].


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