What Montgomery Co. Residents Should Know As Florence Approaches

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — As Hurricane Florence makes its way toward the East Coast, local governments in Montgomery County are working to keep residents safe in case strong winds or flooding reach dangerous levels.

Parks: Already, Montgomery Parks has announced a closure to all its natural-surface trails due to flooding. Trails, the parks department said, are wet, muddy and potentially hazardous to users. Moreover, the trails could be damaged from the rainfall. All 170 miles of the park system's trails remain closed until further notice.

Statewide: Governor Larry Hogan Monday declared a state of emergency across Maryland, citing an "elevated potential for historic and catastorophic rainfall, life-threatening flooding, and high winds," in an accompanying press release.

State agencies will work to support local emergency workers in the event of an emergency. Residents are cautioned to be "extremely vigilant" during the storm.

Schools: As of writing, Montgomery County Public Schools intend to remain open this week.

Flooding: The National Weather Service warns of potential flooding of creeks and the Potomac River near Edwards Ferry, which crested at 20 feet Tuesday, well above the Flood Stage. Residents in low-lying areas near waterways should prepare for the possibility of flooding.

Autism/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Night Out: Montgomery County Police cancelled the IDD night out, scheduled for Friday, September 14, due to inclement weather. The department said in a Facebook post that it hopes to reschedule the event for the spring. For more information about the IDD or its cancellation, click here.

(Stay on top of all the latest Hurricane Florence news with our free, real-time news alerts, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

Check back to this page often for important updates in Montgomery County.

Read more:

• Preparedness Kit To Pack, Insurance Info: Hurricane Florence
• Hurricane Preparedness: How To Keep Kids Safe And Calm
• Hurricane Florence: How MD Residents Can Protect Pets In A Storm

PHOTO: In this NASA handout image taken by Astronaut Ricky Arnold, Hurricane Florence gains strength in the Atlantic Ocean as it moves west, seen from the International Space Station on September 10, 2018. Weather predictions say the storm will likely hit the U.S. East Coast as early as Thursday, September 13 bringing massive winds and rain. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)