Hurricane Joaquin: Breaking News and Information
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Maryland Governor Hogan Declares State of Emergency Effective 3 p.m., October 1, 2015.
For breaking news as it happens, be sure to follow our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.
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UPDATED October 1, 2015, 5:00 p.m.
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NWC Update as of 5 p.m., 10/1/15:
Update No. 6: October 1, 2015, 5:00 p.m.
Hurricane Joaquin is now a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 135 mph. However, the track contiues to shift offshore in an easterly direction. Although this storm is still several days away from landfall, it is looking less likely that this will be a major event for the Baltimore, MD region.
We will continue to provide you relevant information as it is warranted.
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10/1: 5 p.m.: Fells Point Fun Festival canceled. Possible make-up dates: the weekend of Oct. 23, 24, and 25.
10//1: 5 p.m.: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Service Changed. They will honor 87 firefighters who died in the line of duty on Sunday. The public Memorial Service will be held at Mount St. Mary’s University at 10:00 a.m. Doors open at 7:45 am.
10/1: 5 a.m.: Ocean City, MD Cancels Weekend Events, Provides Emergency Information
Ocean City has canceled their Wine on the Beach event and the OPA National Championship Power Boat Races. For more information about Ocean City's emergency preparations (including evacuations), visit their site at http://www.oceancity.com/emergency-preparedness-in-the-event-of-a-hurricane/
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BGE Information:
To report a gas emergency, please call 800.685.0123.
For down/sparking wires, or dim/flickering lights please call 877.778.2222.
To view the BGE outage map, go to: http://outagemap.bge.com/
POWER OUTAGES:
We will update this information as we receive it.
Anne Arundel:
Baltimore:
Baltimore City:
Calvert:
Carroll:
Harford:
Howard:
Montgomery:
Prince George’s:
School Closings:
We will update this information as we receive it.
Emergency Information/Resources:
Hurricane Checklist:
MEMA Before, During, and After Hurricane Checklist: http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/emergencies-hurricane.aspx
Emergency Shelter Locations in Case of Evacuations
BALTIMORE CITY:
Learn about emergency preparedness and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) on the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management web site. You can also call 410-396-6188 or e-mail cert@baltimorecity.gov.
Baltimore City Emergency Preparedness Website: http://emergency.baltimorecity.gov/Preparedness/ForCitizens/GetInvolved.aspx
Evacuation Routes:
BALTIMORE COUNTY: Baltimore County does not have established evacuation routes. Precise evacuation routes will depend on the nature and location of the emergency. Monitor TV and radio news for instructions from local authorities; keep a battery-powered radio in your home or business so you can receive instructions during a power outage. Prepare an evacuation plan.
BALTIMORE CITY:
All major roads exiting Baltimore City can be used as evacuation routes. The City maintains plans to funnel traffic and allow contra-flow traffic to facilitate evacuation on theses routes. During an evacuation, only a limited number of routes will be used based on the incident. Please tune into the news (WBAL 1090 AM radio is our primary alerting partner) or check our Facebook and Twitter pages to find which evacuation route to use.
Red Cross:
Central Maryland:
4800 Mt. Hope Drive Baltimore, MD 21215 (410) 624-2000 RedCross.org/GCR Southern Maryland 4800 Mount Hope Dr. Baltimore MD 21215 (410) 624-2000 RedCross.org/SoMD Western Maryland 1131 Conrad Court Hagerstown, MD 21740 (301) 739-0717 RedCross.org/WMD Delmarva 100 West 10th Street Wilmington , DE 19801 (302) 656-6620 RedCross.org/Delmarva
Important Safety Reminders from Baltimore County Emergency Management
Citizens who live in flood-prone areas along the coast or along inland creeks and streams should consider relocating. Coastal flooding is predicted, but the severity is not known and emergency responders may not be able to rescue those living in these areas.
Roads will flood. Officials are asking drivers to stay off the roads once the storm starts, but if you must drive, avoid driving through standing water.
When traffic signals go out, the intersection should be treated as a four-way stop.
Plans should be made immediately for family members who use power-dependent life-sustaining equipment.
Generators should be placed outside, at least 15 feet from the house.
Trees that fall on private property are the owner’s responsibility. Trees that fall on public property and roads are the county’s responsibility.
Baltimore does not provide dry ice or sand bags. Baltimore County Breaking News will provide locations where dry ice or sandbags are being provided, should they be needed.
Baltimore County officials will provide updates from Twitter at @BACOemergency.