Hurricanes
A hurricane is an intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 miles per hour (64 knots) or higher.
Categories
Winds of 74-95 mph. No real damage to building structures, Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
Winds of 96-110 mph. Some roofing material, door, and window damage to buildings. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, and piers. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.
Winds of 111-130 mph. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtain wall failures, Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
Winds of 131-155 mph. More extensive curtain wall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore Terrain may be flooded well inland.
Winds greater than 155 mph. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required.
Citizens with functional needs and who might need assistance during a disaster should contact OEM to be registered on our special assistance roster.
This will allow OEM the ability to check on your welfare before, during and after an emergency event.
Know Your Zone
Know Your Zone is a colored coded map, provided by the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, that helps you determine which storm evacuation zone you live in. The zones are designated as either A, B, or C. In the event of severe weather, such as a hurricane, you may be asked to evacuate given your zone designation. Just click on the link below to be taken to the interactive map.
Terminology
Storm Surge
A storm surge is a dome of water pushed onshore by hurricane and tropical storm winds. Storm surges can reach 25 feet high and be 50-1000 miles wide.
Storm Tide
A storm tide is a combination of storm surge and the normal tide (i.e., a 15-foot storm surge combined with a 2-foot normal high tide over the mean sea level created a 17-foot storm tide).
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch
This means hurricane/tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified area, usually within 36 hours. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
Short Term Watches & Warnings
These warnings provide detailed information about specific hurricane threats, such as flash floods and tornadoes.
Monitoring Atlantic Storms
Tropical storms and hurricanes can be monitored through the National Hurricane Center website.