(August 25, 2011) - The State Highway Administration (SHA) is taking precautions to protect travelers and communities as Hurricane Irene approaches Maryland. Current forecasts indicate the Eastern Shore, including Ocean City, is expected to feel the brunt of the storm with high winds, extremely heavy rains and storm swells that may cause significant flooding. Central and Western Maryland residents should stay on high alert as the hurricane moves up the Chesapeake Bay along the I-95 corridor.
As Ocean City residents and visitors evacuate, SHA is coordinating with local jurisdictions and the Maryland State Police in the effort. Additionally, SHA is deploying central and western maintenance and emergency operations staff and equipment to the Eastern Shore to assist. Technicians have been detailed to retime signals for maximum outbound “green time” for traffic flow for US 50, MD 404 and MD 90.
SHA’s regularly assigned emergency patrols in the upper shore and Annapolis areas will remain in place to assist motorists as they head west. SHA will add several emergency patrols on the lower shore and pre-position several in Cambridge, Salisbury and Ocean City to assist travelers.
To keep traffic moving smoothly, SHA will:
• Provide real-time traffic information and storm-related road closures through Maryland’s 511 phone system and at
WWW.MD511.ORG as well as
www.roads.maryland.gov where you can click on CHART.
• Suspend construction work requiring lane closures along Maryland State highways in Central Maryland and on the Eastern Shore.
• Program overhead Variable Message Signs and Traveler Advisory Radios to inform motorists of crashes, delays and route diversions.
“We urge residents to take this storm seriously,” said Acting SHA Administrator Darrell B. Mobley. “When in doubt, do not attempt to drive through standing water, even if it appears to be safe. A few inches of water can quickly turn into a dangerous situation, putting you and your family at risk.”
Here are some tips for motorists:
• Do not try to cross a flooded roadway. Eighty percent of flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Two feet of rapidly moving water can float a bus and six inches can knock a person off his or her feet.
• Do not try to drive around police or highway personnel who are blocking roads – they are doing so for a reason – your safety.
• Be patient and courteous – it is contagious.
• Avoid downed or damaged power and transmission wires and cables.
• Keep alert for animals, such as deer, that will be fleeing dangerous areas and crossing roadways.
• Stay alert for traffic signal issues related to power outages. Use extreme caution and do not assume the other drivers will stop or yield.
• Prepare your vehicle by filling the gas tank, checking tire pressure and washer fluid, charging your cell phone and bringing snacks for you and passengers.
• SHA urges motorists to exercise extreme caution as weather conditions change. If you must drive, please buckle up and obey posted speed limits.
Many roads on the lower Eastern Shore are prone to flooding during “regular” rain storms. Significant amounts of rain will flood lower shore roads and drivers should expect travel delays due to road closures as a result of high water. In some cases, drivers may encounter flooded roads that have not yet been closed by SHA or local police but should be avoided.
In conjunction with other agencies and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), SHA is monitoring the storm from the Statewide Operations Center (SOC) near BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. During hurricanes, snow storms and other crises, the SOC doubles as SHA’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) providing access to hundreds of camera images, constant contact with field personnel and quick response to changing conditions. From the EOC, SHA communicates with local jurisdictions, neighboring states, emergency responders and the media.
Each day beginning five days prior to any impact of a hurricane to Maryland, SHA’s Emergency Management team runs through a thorough checklist including: participating in National Weather Service and Delmarva Emergency Task Force conference calls; inspecting and cleaning storm drains, drainage ditches and inlets; testing and verifying critical equipment parts and supplies; reviewing evacuation plans; identifying potential road construction issues along evacuation corridors and inspecting roofs for drainage. SHA crews are also ready to deploy high water signs as needed.
Other SHA precautionary actions include the following:
• Fueling emergency generators;
• Acquiring additional fuel;
• Checking chain saws, wood chippers and other equipment;
• Clearing roadside drainage systems;
• Notifying contractors SHA may need their services;
• Placing signal technicians on stand-by.
The Maryland Emergency Management Agency stresses awareness and preparedness as Hurricane Irene approaches Maryland. Go to
www.mema.state.md.us for the latest storm track and preparedness information.
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