Ida Remnants Spawn 2 MD Tornados, 1 Dead In Flooding, Bus Rescue

MARYLAND — One Maryland resident is dead and two tornadoes spawned by the remains of Hurricane Ida were confirmed in Annapolis and near Wicomico Wednesday, while one person is missing in Rockville. In Frederick County, 11 people were rescued by boat from a school bus in floodwaters

“I urge Marylanders to be prepared, take all necessary precautions, follow the local forecast, and heed any warnings from local authorities," Gov. Larry Hogan said. "We will continue to update residents on our response throughout the day.”

Annapolis offered sandbags to residents Wednesday, while a Rockville apartment complex off Twinbrook Parkway was flooded. The fatality and missing person were reported at the apartment complex, where rainwater rushed into hallways, trapping residents.

The storms affected multiple Maryland counties with at least six swift water rescues performed in Frederick County, The Washington Post reported.

Frederick County first responders used a boat to reach a school bus stuck in floodwaters on a bridge about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Ten children and a driver were rescued from the vehicle, WTOP reported.

Business owners and residents tweeted images of damage after a tornado traveled between Edgewater and Annapolis, between 2 and 2:30 p.m., the Post said.

The funnel zoomed past Edgewater in about 15 seconds, resident Amy Freedman told WTOP.

“The wind was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It came up very, very quickly. It’s bad. It’s much worse than I could have imagined from my house,” Freedman said.

The second twister was reported 3 miles west of Wicomico in Charles County.

Stormy weather prompted the Maryland State Fair to close Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Related:

• Tornado Damages Annapolis Businesses, South River Stadium
• Trapped By Water: Rockville Resident Dies In Basement Flooding

Public schools in Baltimore City dismissed students three hours early Wednesday due to the pending storms, officials said. Howard County schools followed suit and plan to let school out three hours early; all aftercare programs and evening activities in the district are also canceled.

Hogan asked the Maryland Emergency Management Agency to raise its state activation level for Tropical Depression Ida. This allows the agency to coordinate a statewide multi-agency response to the storm, and handle local requests for assistance.

“With this major storm, there is the potential for significant amounts of rainfall that could lead to severe flash flooding and river flooding thereafter. Winds of 25-35 mph could lead to instances of downed trees and power outages. A tornado threat encompasses much of the state," Hogan said Wednesday morning.

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Related:

• Maryland State Fair Closed Due To Weather Wednesday
• HCPSS Dismissing Early Due To Severe Weather: Code Yellow Issued
• Risky Areas For Flooding: County Releases List Of Roads To Avoid

Maryland Department of Tranpsortation State Highway Administration crews started preparing Monday by cleaning ditches, pipes, and inlets to ensure adequaqte drainage along highways. Drivers should look out for fallen trees/limbs and be prepared for scattered power outages, the agency said.

Coordinated Highways Action Response Team, C.H.A.R.T Emergency Patrols will be out during the storm to help drivers. They will have units patrolling all areas of the state.

A flash flood watch in effect for much of Maryland was supposed to run until 8 a.m. Thursday, but was largely lifted by 9 p.m. Wednesday.

A round of heavy thunderstorms early Wednesday morning caused flash flooding, especially in the Washington and Baltimore metropolitan areas. More thunderstorms with heavy
rainfall are expected across the area Wednesday afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service said.

From 2 to 4 inches of rain are expected, with up to 6 inches possible in some areas, forecasters said.

Heavy rains could cause flash flooding of creeks, small streams, and urban areas, and has the potential for flooding on the main rivers, the NWS said.

Areas included in the flash flood watch are: Carroll, Baltimore, Cecil, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, and Harford counties, plus the cities of Baltimore, Bowie, Annapolis, Odenton, Westminster, Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park, Reisterstown, Columbia, Severna Park, Greenbelt, Germantown, Rockville, Jarrettsville, Frederick, Arnold, Suitland-Silver Hill, Gaithersburg, Severn, Eldersburg, Clinton, Glen Burnie, Ellicott City, Laurel, and Aberdeen.

Residents should:

• Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn around, don’t drown.
• Heed all warnings and stay indoors during severe weather.
• Closely monitor updated weather forecasts and be sure to have a way to follow local forecasts and warnings.
• Keep devices charged in case of power outages.
• Let friends or family know of your travel route and expected arrival time.
• Know who to contact in the case of a power outage. Emergency phone numbers for utility companies can be found here.
• Follow MEMA and the National Weather Service social media accounts for localized forecasts.

How To Report Power Outages

BGE: To report an outage or downed wire, customers should call 1-877-778-2222. Customers can also report an outage by texting "OUT" to MYBGE (69243). Residents can track or report their outages through the company's mobile app or website at bge.com. BGE's interactive map also provides information about outages and estimates how quickly power may be restored.

Important Maryland Utility Numbers Include:

• PEPCO: 1-877-737-2662
• Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E): 1-877-778-2222 or 1-800-685-0123
• First Energy/Potomac Edison: 1-888-544-4877
• SMECO: 1-877-747-6326 or 1-888-440-3311
• Washington Gas: 1-800-752-7520
• Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission: 1-800-828-4002

Tips For Drivers
The Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration reminds drivers to check www.md511.org for travel alerts and conditions, follow the agency on Twitter, or "like" its Facebook page.

If your route includes toll bridges, check out wind warnings and restrictions criteria on the authority's website. To check if wind restrictions are in place at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge check online or call 1-877 BAYSPAN.

Storm Prep Ahead Of Warnings

Anne Arundel County's office of emergency management identified a dozen ways residents and businesses in the mid-Atlantic region can stay on top of changes in weather and other emergencies.

Residents should perform the following safety precautions as soon as possible:

• Sign up for alerts and warnings from your county and state, as well as NOAA Weather Radio https://www.weather.gov/nwr/
• Make a plan - visit https://www.ready.gov/plan
• Plan with neighbors - communities are more resilient when they work together. See Guide to Emergency Planning for Communities
• Know hurricane evacuation zones - visit KnowYourZoneMD
• Save for a rainy day - visit https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness
• Practice emergency drills both at home and at the office
• Make and test a family communications plan: Designate a central contact number with a family member or trusted friend, perhaps out of town. Text messages will go through when voice lines are overloaded
• Assemble or update emergency supplies - visit https://www.ready.gov/kit (includes CDC recommendations)
• Safeguard valuable documents both physically and digitally
• Make your home safer - visit https://www.weather.gov/wrn/2020-hurricane-strengthen-home
• Document and insure your property - visit https://www.weather.gov/wrn/2020-hurricane-insurance
• Get involved in your community - take an emergency course, volunteer, request a preparedness presentation

Pet Emergency Kits To Pack

If you might need to evacuate, be sure to pack for your pets, said the Centers for Disease Control:

• Purchase a pet carrier for each of your pets (write your pet's name, your name and contact information on each carrier).
• Food and water for at least 2 weeks for each pet.
• Medications for at least 2 weeks.
• Medical records, including record of vaccination for rabies and other diseases, prescription medications and medical history.
• Cat litter

For the full list of evacuation recommendations for your pet/pets visit Centers for Disease Control.

Things To Keep In An Emergency Kit

• One gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation (for three days that
• equals a case of bottled water per person)
• At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, to include pets
• Baby formula and diapers, if applicable
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Personal toiletries and prescription medicines
• Medical items such as glasses, hearing aids (extra batteries), walkers, oxygen, etc
• During the pandemic, we recommend adding a homemade cloth mask
• Cell phone with charger
• Local maps for evacuation (if your smart phone goes out)
• Don't forget to secure important papers (passports, insurance information, medical information, deeds, wills, cherished photos) in a waterproof container or Ziploc bags.

When a hurricane or emergency strikes and an evacuation isn't feasible, there are additional safety precautions people should take. When the power goes out during a storm, an emergency kit should contain two flashlights and spare batteries as mentioned in the list above, which is safer than candles. Cell phones should always be charged, as should radios.

Turn refrigerators and freezers to maximum cold ahead of a big storm and keep doors closed once the power goes out. An unopened refrigerator will keep perishable food safe for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature safe for about 48 hours.

If you use canned goods, have a manual can opener.

If you have a home generator be sure it is properly installed, fueled and located in an area safe to operate to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning or fire.

Coronavirus Precautions To Take

Residents should take coronavirus precautions if they have to leave their home, officials said. That includes:

• Wear a face covering
• Observe social distancing of six or more feet
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Wash hands often for 20 seconds using soap and water or hand sanitizer
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily
• It is safer to stay at home. If you are able to telework, do so.
• If you feel sick, stay home except to get medical care.
• Contact your healthcare professional to see whether you should be tested for coronavirus
• Call 911 if you have a medical emergency