Emergency Preparedness

Preparation for emergencies and disasters in St. Mary’s County

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) works with national, state, and local partners to ensure public health needs are addressed in the community’s preparation for and response to emergencies and disasters. SMCHD’s Emergency Preparedness & Response Division promotes community preparedness regarding public health. This includes planning for and responding to public health and medical emergencies, including potential or actual incidents requiring a coordinated response. SMCHD activation status levels are based on the National Incident Command System:

Normal (Green): Routine operations
Enhanced (Yellow): The incident requires additional monitoring and resources.
Partial (Orange): The incident requires significant monitoring and resources.
Full (Red): The incident requires extensive response and recovery efforts.

SMCHD Current Activation Status:

Staying Safe in a Radiological or Nuclear Emergency: What You Should Know

Be Prepared – What Can Community Members Do?

Preparing your home and family ahead of time for common emergencies and disasters can increase your personal sense of security and peace of mind. Knowing what to do when an emergency strikes can save time, property, and, most importantly, lives.

Stay Informed

Know what potential disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate.

Learn what to do before, during, and after different types of emergencies.

Plan Ahead

Discussing the following questions with your family, friends, or household can help you develop an emergency plan.

How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
What is my shelter plan?
What is my evacuation route?
What is my family/household communication plan?
Are there any special considerations for my family (children, seniors, pets, medicine, etc.)?

Once you have a plan, practice it with family members. Then, prepare an emergency kit – Just in case!

For more information about emergency preparedness, email smchd.dpr@maryland.gov.

Planning Resources

Preparedness Information – By Topic

Potassium Iodide (KI)

Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets may help prevent thyroid cancer in people exposed to radioactive material released during a radiation incident.

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Nuclear Radiation

Radioactive contamination and radiation exposure can occur if radioactive materials are released into the environment as a result of an accident or event in nature.

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Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricanes are severe storms with sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher. Tropical storms are another type of severe weather with sustained winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour. In advance of these types of storms, experts will announce hurricane watches and warnings to prepare people for severe weather.

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Tornado Preparedness

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes can destroy buildings, flip cars, and create deadly flying debris with winds that can exceed 200 MPH. Because tornadoes can develop rapidly, often in just a few minutes, it is important to be prepared for your own and others’ safety.

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Flood Preparedness

Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death.

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Winter Weather Preparedness

Winter storms can be dangerous and accompanied by low temperatures, strong winds, sleet, and freezing rain. Severe weather can knock out heat, power, and communication for several days. Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. Be sure to stay updated on local weather by listening to the radio, tuning to a local weather channel, or following social media.

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Extreme Heat Preparedness

Extreme heat is defined as a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards. Older adults, children, and people who are overweight are most at risk for illness due to extreme heat

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Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks are malicious attempts to access or damage a computer or network system. Cyberattacks can lead to the loss of money or the theft of personal, financial and medical information. These attacks can damage your reputation and safety.

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