The Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County has raised the bar in public safety by providing residents with CodeRED Weather Warnings at no cost. To receive automated tornado, flash flood, and severe weather warnings to your business, home or cell phone, please sign up today by logging on to www.stmarysmd.com. Click on E-Gov, then click on Emergency Notification Sign Up.

“This notification system is fast and effective,” said President Jack Russell, St. Mary’s County Board of County Commissioners. “I encourage everyone to sign up for this service today. St. Mary’s County is one of the first municipalities in the country to provide this notification system for its residents. This information will remain completely private and will only be made available to notify you of critical situations.”

Citizens are urged to be aware and be prepared for weather emergencies, particularly for tornado events.

If there is a tornado warning for any area in St. Mary’s County, the county’s Emergency Communications staff will activate the Fire & Rescue Sirens with a “Take Cover” signal for Tornado Warnings. This signal lasts for 13 cycles and is significantly different from a
fire or rescue call signal. This system is tested on the first Saturday of every month at noon.

Other things you can do to prepare include:

Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a tornado hazard.

A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area. You should monitor NOAA Weather Radio local radio and television news outlets for the latest developments.

A tornado warning is when a tornado is actually occurring; take shelter immediately.

Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning.

Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.

If underground shelter is not available, go into an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.

In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.

Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they attract debris.

A vehicle, trailer or mobile home does not provide good protection. Plan to go quickly to a building with a strong foundation, if possible.

If shelter is not available, lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.

Plan to stay in the shelter location until the danger has passed.

Get a kit of emergency supplies. Store it in your shelter location.

For more information contact the Department of Public Safety at 301-475-4200 x2124 or visit the county’s website at www.stmarysmd.com/Emergencycomm.