Stay informed by monitoring TV news, radio, the National
Weather Service and the internet as storm information is updated throughout the
day that may affect you and your family.
Sign up for Alert Montgomery to
receive text alerts and emergency information as Montgomery County Fire and Rescue social media platforms
will be operating at various points throughout the storm however will not
For this weather event on Twitter, use the hashtag
#mocostorm
The primary social media platforms used
will be:
Safety Tips
- Ensure your
cell phones, laptops, tablets and other important devices are fully
charged BEFORE the storm.
- Make sure
you secure, or bring inside, any loose items that could become dangerous
projectiles in high winds.
- Stay
prepared by getting your emergency preparedness kit out and having a ready
supply of essential items (food, water, batteries, flashlights,
battery-operated radio, blankets, etc.).
- It’s a great
time to make sure the batteries in your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide
alarm are fresh. Test all smoke alarms to ensure they are working.
- If possible,
stay off the roads and heed the advice of local officials. These are
serious conditions that are often underestimated and can make driving, and
even walking, very hazardous. Occupants
of cars and trucks also are vulnerable to being hit by falling trees and
utility poles. Further, high profile vehicles such as semi-trailer trucks,
buses, and sport utility vehicles may be blown over.
- Stay Inside and away from
windows. Go to a basement if you
have one.
- Listen to
the authorities. Remain indoors until an official "all
clear" is issued.
- 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. Use extreme caution around downed or
damaged power lines. Do not remove fallen tree limbs or other debris from
power lines, never drive over down lines and treat all wires – even those
that are hanging or down – as if they are “live” (energized) and call 911
to report them.
- For downed
trees on public property, Montgomery County residents should call -311
between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays
(or 240-777-0311 from
outside the county or from a cell phone), or file a report at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/311.
If live wires are involved, the tree is blocking a roadway, the tree is on
a structure or if anyone is trapped under a fallen tree, call 911.
- Do NOT use
candles for lighting. Using candles during a power outage
poses an extreme risk of fire. Use flashlights or battery-powered lighting
options and make sure you have a battery-operated radio to keep
up-to-date.
- If you are
using a generator, make sure it is in a well-ventilated area to reduce the
risk of breathing harmful fumes. Never place a generator under an open
window and follow all manufacturer instructions.
- Reach out to
your neighbors who may need help, especially those that are elderly,
disabled or infirmed.
- Know your
limits. Many storm-related deaths and injuries involve existing health
problems exacerbated by the physical demands of cleanup activities.
- Drive with
caution. Avoid areas subject to flooding, including low spots, canals
and streams. Do not attempt to drive on a flooded road, which could lead
to becoming stranded or trapped because the depth of the water and the
condition of the road is not always obvious.
- Treat all
intersections where traffic lights are out as a four way stop.
- Please only call 911 for emergencies. Crews will be in high demand throughout the storm. If you do not have a life-threatening emergency, call 311 for assistance.
