After the Storm: Important Safety Tips

• Be careful of standing and running water. Residents are urged to continue to be alert and prepared for possible flash flooding, storm surges and areas of standing water over the next 24-48 hours as the after effects of Hurricane Sandy continue to impact the area. Never drive through moving water or flooded areas. As little as six inches of water on a road can cause most drivers to lose control of their vehicle

• Clear storm drains of leaves and debris so water can drain properly. All those leaves in the street following the storm have the potential to clog storm drains resulting in standing water on roadways.

• Keep generators outside. As gasoline burns to fuel the generator, carbon monoxide (CO) gas is released into the air and poses a threat of carbon monoxide poisoning if the generator is not placed outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Generators should never be placed in a garage, a porch or near a ventilating system or open windows. Most generators are also not weatherproof and can pose a risk of shock when used if it is raining. Be sure that your home is equipped with carbon monoxide detectors on all levels of the home.

• Use extreme caution when cleaning up storm damage on your property. Downed or damaged power lines can send electrical currents through tree branches and metal fences, so survey the area carefully - especially if you'll be using a pruning pole or chainsaw. Do not remove fallen tree limbs or other debris from power lines. Tree limbs and other objects can conduct electricity and carry a current strong enough to cause serious injury or death.

• Don’t drive over downed lines and treat all wires – even those that are hanging or down – as if they are “live” (energized).
• Keep children and pets away from areas where power lines may have fallen.

• Check your wiring. If you have experienced significant damage or flooding, you will need a professional technician to check all wiring in the home for shock and fire hazards. Never touch electrical wires or outlets that are still wet. If appliances are water damaged, have them inspected by a qualified technician and then either refurbish or replace.

• There’s safety in numbers. Install at least one smoke alarm on each floor of your house or residence and outside all sleeping areas. MCFRS recommends installing smoke alarms inside each sleeping area if sleeping with the door closed.

• Candle caution. Never use candles for lighting if you have lost your power. This poses an extreme risk of fire and residents are urged to use flashlights whenever possible.

• Restock and replenish your Home Emergency Kit now before the cold weather arrives. Remember, you can never be too prepared and Hurricane Season does not officially end until November 30^th.

Montgomery County Road Closures

The following roads are closed or have a portion closed due to water, trees down, or wires down.  
 
** As a reminder, Montgomery County urges residents to stay in a safe place and avoid traveling today. Hazards including winds and flooding may still occur and create unsafe road conditions. **
 
Flooded Roads -
• Howard Chapel Rd.
• Edwards Ferry Rd.
• Emory La.
• Gold Mine Rd.
• W. Old Baltimore Rd.
• Newcut Rd.
• Zion Rd.
• Brookeville Rd.
• Kensington Pkwy.
• Quince Orchard Rd.
• Log House Rd.
• Brighton Dam Rd.
• Gue Rd.
• Elton Farm Rd.
• Fleming Ave.
• Brink Rd.
• Stockton Rd.
• Riffle Ford Rd.
• 25815 Woodfield Rd.
• Strathmore Ave. @ MD355
• Colesville Rd. (a mile north of University Blvd, just south of Lockwood Dr)
 
Tree Down w/Wires -
• Chesterfield Rd.
• Peach Tree Rd.
• Watkins Rd.
• Brink Rd.
• Astoria La.
• Davis Mill Rd.
• Arrowood Rd. @ Kittery La.
• 5950 Grosvenor La.
• S. Glen Rd. @ Glen Mill Rd.
• MacArthur Blvd. @ Whiterim Dr.
• 13108 Brandown Wayr
• 5310 Oakland Rd.
 
 
Tree Down –
• White Ground Rd. @ Schaffer Rd.
• 12700 Middlebrook Rd.
• Montgomery Village Ave. @ Walkers Choice Rd.
• Shiloh Church Rd. @ Conrad Springs
• Scenery Dr. @ Germantown Rd.
• Peachtree Rd. @ Comus Rd.
• Doubleland Rd. @ Frontwell Cir.
• W. Old Baltimore Rd. @ Peachtree Rd.
• Twinbrook Pkwy @ MD355
• Hipsley Mill Rd. @ Damascus Rd.
 
Park Roads –
• Little Falls Pkwy.
• Beach Dr.
 
Re-Opened Roads –
• Arcola Ave.
• Georgia Ave.
• Killdeer Dr.
• Westlake Dr.

Sent to All users (E-mail accounts) through Alert Montgomery

Mobile And Other Resources To Keep In Touch

Just wanted to make everyone aware of some resources for smart phones or tablets that you might find useful.  Hurricane safety tips are right on your phone by downloading these useful apps: 

·         FEMA – Android, Apple, Blackberry

·         American Red Cross “Hurricane” app – Android, Apple

Latest Sandy forecast from the National Hurricane Center

·         On your computer: www.hurricanes.gov

·         On your phone: http://hurricanes.gov/mobile

·         On Twitter: www.twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic

o        On Facebook: www.facebook.com/US.NOAA.NationalHurricaneCenter.gov

Be safe!

Bill D.

TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN and Try an Alternate Route! List of Roads That Flood.

Many Roads in Montgomery County Susceptible to Flooding so Consider Alternate Routes Beforehand!

Please exercise caution and DO NOT hit the roadways unless you absolutely have too.  While there may still be a brief window this morning, flooding is a possibility.

  

Flash floods more often occur in mountain streams, hilly areas or low-lying areas.  But they do happen in urban and suburban areas like Montgomery County, as well.  Flash floods can occur even though it's not raining where you are.  It may be raining hard farther upstream and raining so hard that the water can not be absorbed into the ground.

  

Safety Tips: 

If a flash flood warning is issued, act immediately.  Don't wait for high water to dictate your course of action. 

Know your location when you are driving.  If you needed rescue, would you be able to direct emergency crews to your location?  Distracted driving can lead to a situation where you are stranded and unable to direct emergency crews to you.  Be alert! 

  

Never drive through a flooded road or bridge.  Turn Around - Don’t Drown and try an alternate route!  In many cases, it takes far less than a foot of water to incapacitate a vehicle.  It may stall, leaving you stranded, and depending on the level of water, you may not be able to open a vehicle door.  Do not underestimate the power of moving water. 

  

Watch for flooding at bridges and dips in the road.  Never drive where water is over bridges or roads. Turn around - Don’t Drown!  The bridges or the road could suddenly be washed out. If you're driving at night be especially careful.  Often visibility is limited due to wind and rain. 

  

Often what you can't see below the surface of the water is far more dangerous than the high levels of that water.  Remember that rocks, tree limbs and other debris can be caught in moving water and can be dangerous if you are forced to walk, wade or swim through flood waters. 

  

If you have to walk or wade through flood water, use a stick to poke the ground in front of you with each step.  It can help you determine water levels, the bottom surface and the safest possible way to get to higher ground. 

  

Remember that flash floods can come without warning, and sometimes without weather.  Be alert and heed all warnings and recommendations from officials. From FEMA's website, some further information about driving through flooded roadways:

• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
• A foot of water will float many vehicles.  
• Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV's) and pick-ups

TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN and try an alternate route!

ROADS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY SUBJECT TO PERIODIC FLOODING: 

DOWN-COUNTY AREAS

MD 29 (Columbia Pike) at Paint Branch - N. of White Oak 
MD 185 (Conn. Ave) at Rock Creek - S. of Kensington 

MD 190 (River Road) at Cabin John Creek - Potomac 

MD 193 (Univ. Blvd) at Sligo Creek - Wheaton 

MD 586 (Viers Mill Rd) at Rock Creek - S. of Twinbrook Pkwy. 

Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park - Kensington-Chevy Chase 

Sligo Creek Pkwy - Silver Spring-Takoma Park 

UP-COUNTY AREAS 

MD 97 (Georgia Ave) at Reddy Branch - N. of Brookeville 

MD 124 (Woodfield Rd) at Goshen Branch and at Gr. Seneca Creek - N. of Brink Rd. 

MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Gr. Seneca Creek - W. of Gaithersburg 

MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - E. of Boyds 

MD 355 (Frederick Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - W. of Brink 

MD 121 (Clarksburg Rd) near Little Seneca Lake - N. of Boyds 

MD 118 (Germantown Rd) at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Germantown 

River Rd and Berryville Rd at Seneca Creek - Seneca 

Blunt Road at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Brink Rd. 

Davis Mill Rd at Great Seneca Creek - N. of Gaithersburg 

Brighton Dam Rd at Hawlings River - NE of Brookeville 

Goldmine Rd at Hawlings River - E of Olney 

Zion Rd at Hawlings River - E. of Laytonsville 

Hoyles Mill Rd at ford of Little Seneca Creek - Germantown, west of soccer complex 

Loghouse Rd at Magruder Branch - S. of Damascus 

Elton Farm Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine 

Howard Chapel Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine 

White’s Ferry Road and River Road - White’s Ferry 

MORE: http://www.scribd.com/doc/50454109/Street-Flooding-Hazards

MCFRS Social Media and Hashtag For The Storm

Montgomery County Fire & Rescue social media platforms will be functioning at various points throughout the storm.  The primary platforms to be used will be: 

• Fire & Rescue Blog
• Follow Fire & Rescue on Twitter
• Like Fire & Rescue on Facebook

Please understand that due to various circumstances and resource needs, this will not be a total 24 hour source of timely EMERGENCY information.  For that we highly recommend that you Sign up for Alert Montgomery emails and texts.

For this event on Twitter, we will be using the hashtag #mcfrsandy I will try and answer questions as I can but, again, understand it may take a bit to get back with you.  

I will try and do a TweetChat at various points during the event as well.  Please note that this is not the way to contact us for any emergencies!!!  You are to call 911 if you need emergency assistance!

As Hurricane Sandy approaches, some information you might find useful

As Hurricane Sandy approaches, some information you might find useful:

What's In Your Emergency Preparedness Kit? 

Severe Storm Potentially On The Way…..Are You Ready? 

Hurricane Sandy May Impact Region in Coming Days; Residents Can Take Steps Now to Prepare for Hurricanes and Other Emergencies

Hurricane Sandy Latest Track 

No Twitter? No Problem! You Can Still Get MCFRS Updates!

Hurricane Sandy Latest Track

An interesting tracking tool.