St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Emergency Services (DES) urges community members to be prepared for the next Atlantic hurricane season, which starts on June 1, 2024, and goes through November 30, 2024. While severe weather can happen outside of this timeframe, it is the most active for hurricane and tropical storm activity.
In effort to support community preparedness, the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) will provide self-service sandbag pickup for residents on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the St. Andrews Landfill located at 44837 St. Andrews Church Road.
Residents are encouraged to stock up on sandbags now so that they are prepared before a storm strikes our area. Sandbags are not pre-filled and are limited to 10-25 bags per person, while supplies last. Community partners and DES will also be onsite distributing free hurricane preparedness supplies and information.
“We all know that storm systems can move and change rapidly,” said Commissioner President James R. Guy. “Distributing sandbags in advance is the best way to ensure our residents have what they need should a storm system threaten our area.”
Hurricane Preparedness Checklist
- Make emergency kits: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/kit
- Home Kit: include a flashlight, batteries, blankets, spare clothing, a battery-operated radio, hygiene supplies, medication, a first aid kit, food that is easy to open and prepare, and clean drinking water.
- Be sure to consider the needs of your family, including infants and children, the elderly, those with functional needs, and pets.
- Have a plan: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/plan
- Know Your Zone and plan your evacuation route ahead of time. Identify a safe place to go, and a way to get there, if an evacuation is ordered by local officials. Keep your gas tank full in case you need to evacuate quickly.
- Discuss with loved ones how you will communicate before, during, and after a potential emergency or severe weather event.
- Sign up for local emergency notifications at: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/CodeRed
- Hurricane preparedness basics:
- Secure or bring indoors all outdoor toys, furniture, and items that could be moved by heavy winds; de-clutter drains and gutters; and consider hurricane shutters.
- Check on your neighbors, friends, and family members, especially if they are elderly and/or have functional needs.
- Bring your pets indoors during severe weather.
- Know where the main valves and switches are for gas, water, and electricity – and ensure someone you trust can operate them in case you need to shut them off.
- Follow the instructions of local emergency management officials.
Knowing what to do before, during, and after an emergency is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference, when seconds count.
Learn more about and prepare for potential emergencies at: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/em.
