Hurricane season officially started June 1 and local officials are urging St. Mary’s County residents to take measures now to prepare for the upcoming season.

“Preparing in advance for the unexpected is a smart move which can make a big difference in your ability to respond and recover,” said David Zylak, Director of Public Safety.” I especially urge coastal residents to have a hurricane plan in place before the season begins and we will continue to provide the best possible forecast to the public, with assistance from the National Hurricane Service.”

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Public Safety hosted a hurricane drill workshop this week with agencies across the county to address communication and rapid response if a hurricane or tropical storm threatens. A tabletop scenario was played out and discussion followed to address ways to ensure all citizens receive accurate and timely information during a hurricane and throughout recovery efforts.

This year, forecasters expect nine to 14 named storms this year, four to seven hurricanes and one to three of those becoming major, having sustained winds of 111 mph or more. For more detailed information about the forecast, log on to the National Weather Services’ Climate Prediction Center at: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane.shtml

While hurricanes in Maryland are unusual, according to the Maryland Emergency Management Agency’s hurricane preparedness web site, the state sometimes sustains damage – and some fatalities – from the tropical storms that follow in their wake. Agnes in 1972, Floyd in 1999, Isabel in 2003, and Ernesto in 2006 are some of the hurricanes-turned-tropical-storms that have caused significant damage in Maryland in recent history.

Tropical storms frequently cause flooding, coastal storm surge, wind damage and often spawn tornadoes and thunderstorms. Wide-spread power outages are common. Residents are urged to learn their vulnerabilities and take action to reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

You should be able to answer the following questions before a hurricane threatens:

• What are the hurricane hazards most likely in your area?
• What does it mean to you?
  
• What actions should you take to be prepared?
  

St. Mary’s County residents are urged to have a family plan and prepare a disaster supply kit. Residents should take into consideration the special needs of family members, or pets, and think through a communication plan that will connect their family if they should become separated.

Residents should also know the fundamentals of sheltering in place and have enough supplies to last  three days. Invaluable during these times is a battery-operated radio. Local stations such as WYRX 97.7 FM, WKIK 102.9 FM, WSMD 98.3 FM, WTOP 103.5 FM, WKIK 1560 AM, WPTX 1690 AM, WGRQ 95.9 FM and news sites such as TheBAYNET.com will broadcast up-to-date information during an emergency.

Current information for residents will also be broadcast on County Government Cable Channel 95, on the county’s website at www.stmarysmd.com and on the Emergency Information Hotline at (301) 475-4911.

For additional information on hurricane preparedness, log on to www.hurricanes.gov/prepare, visit the Public Safety pages of the St. Mary’s County Government at www.stmarysmd.com  and the emergency preparedness Web site pages of the St. Mary’s County Health Department at www.smchd.org.