City of Laurel Readies for Hurricane Sandy, Urges Preparation

Submitted by the City of Laurel:

Mayor Craig A. Moe and Martin Flemion, Director of Emergency Operations for the City of Laurel, want to make the residents and surrounding areas aware that they are staying on top of the severe weather situation with Hurricane Sandy.

To that end, Mayor Moe wants to inform Laurel residents of some tips that could help you successfully make it through Hurricane Sandy if it hits our area.

Residents are encouraged to prepare for power outages by keeping the following items on hand:

• Flashlights (not candles)
• Fresh batteries
• Battery operated clock radio
• Corded telephone
• Fully charged cell phone
• Non-perishable foods
• Blankets

Residents should consider putting together individual “go bags” in case of the need to evacuate. The following information will help you prepare a bag: 

• Get an emergency supply kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car. This kit should include:
• Copies of prescription medications and medical supplies;
• Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows;
• Bottled water, a battery-operated radio and extra batteries, a first aid kit, a flashlight;
• Copies of important documents: driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.
• Make sure you have a “to-go bag” ready in case you need to evacuate, include:
• Water and non-perishable food;
• Battery operated radio and batteries so you can get important information from local officials;
• First aid kit;
• Flashlight;
• Maps
• Important documents such as proof residence, pictures of your family including pets, insurance policies, and tax records;
• Comfortable clothing and blankets;
• Unique family needs such as prescription medications, pet supplies, infant supplies or any other unique need your family may have.

Residents also should consider filling the fuel tanks of their vehicles in the event a power outage affects service to neighborhood gas stations. For any residents who rely on well water, filling a bathtub with water in advance of severe weather is strongly encouraged. No matter how you stock pile extra water, make sure you have 3 days of water on hand. FEMA recommends a minimum of 3 gallons of water per person per day.

Mayor Moe asks that if the severe weather hits the Laurel area, please check in on your neighbors who are elderly or physically challenged and make sure that they are well. Residents using generators should follow the manufacturers’ instructions and be sure to locate generators in well-ventilated areas.          

Additionally, residents with special needs and are dependent on electricity for medical equipment, should have alternate arrangements in place should they experience an extended power outage. If any residents come across downed power lines please avoid them and report them immediately to your electric carrier.

For more tips on how to make it through a hurricane safely, please visit the FEMA website at www.ready.gov.

The Office of Marketing and Community Outreach has also created a Laurel Information Line, 240-294-1307, that will be updated regularly with news on the severe weather, as well as Laurel current events, activities and breaking news information.

Residents are also encouraged to go to the website, laurel.md.us, and sign up to receive emergency notifications via the website and the City’s notification vendor, Global Connect: 

• http://www.cityoflaurel.org/content/notifications
• http://www.cityoflaurel.org/content/newsletters

Mayor Moe wants residents to know that during an emergency, our first priority is to ensure the safety of Laurel’s residents. So he asks that you please work with our police and first responders during an emergency situation. If you have an emergency call 911 for Fire and Emergency Medical Services or call the Laurel Police Emergency number at 301-725-3000.