Disasters can pose a threat to Life, Property, Infrastructure or National Interests!

Are You Prepared?

National Weather Service Forecasts
National Hurricane Center
Historical Hurricane Tracks

USCG Storm Center
Storm Preparation Checklist for Small Craft
Flooding / Flood Safety Information & Resources

Hurricane Season extends from 01 June through 30 November

• Weather forecasting usually provides advance warning of approaching weather fronts & storms

• Manmade & some natural disasters can occur with little or no warning

• Hurricane tidal fronts can extend 50 to 75 miles on both sides of the storm eye

• Storms can suddenly change course & are potentially dangerous until eye is at least 100 miles away

• Hurricanes can contain "Tornado" force winds, so attempting to "ride them out" is extremely dangerous 

• Damage or Casualties in the Chesapeake Bay coastal regions, adjacent rivers and tributaries are most likely to result from high winds & flooding due to abnormally high tides & runoff from heavy rainfall

• Major hurricanes impacting our area are usually declared a Federal Disaster with FEMA involved in response efforts

Atlantic Hurricanes Disaster Potential Scale:

• Category I - sustained winds of 64-82 knots (74-95 MPH), storm surge 4-5 feet above normal, low-lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorages may break moorings, no real damage to building structures, some damage to poorly constructed signs

• Category II - sustained winds of 83-95 knots (96-110 MPH), storm surge of 6-8 feet above normal, coastal roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 2 to 4 hours before arrival of the storm center, considerable pier damage, marinas flooded, some trees down, major structural damage to exposed mobile homes, minor but not major structural damage to building structures.

  

• Category III - sustained winds of 96-113 knots (111-130 MPH), storm surge of 9-12 feet above normal, serious coastal flooding cutting low-lying inland escape routes 3 to 5 hours in advance of storm center's arrival, mobile homes destroyed, some structural damage to small residential and utility buildings.

• Category IV - sustained winds of 114-135 knots (131-155 MPH), storm surge of 13-18 feet above normal, major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore due to flooding and battering by storm debris, low-lying inland escape routes inundated 3 to 5 hours before storm center's arrival, extensive roof damage and complete roofing failure on many small residences.

• Category V - sustained winds of greater than 135 knots (155 MPH) can produce a storm surge greater than 18 feet above normal, downed trees and signs, extensive window and door damage, complete failure of roof structures on many residential and industrial buildings, extensive glass failures, some complete building failures, complete destruction of mobile homes.

Hurricane Typical Weather Conditions:

75 to 100 miles away

less than 50 miles away

arrived

moved out of area

Advanced planning, preparation, good communications & timely actions are key to ensuring the health, safety & well being of people, pets & animals in areas impacted by a hurricane or disaster:

DOT Emergency Response Information & Resources
Maryland Port Administration Hurricane Preparedness Plan
Anne Arundel County Emergency Preparedness & Response
Incident Command System (ICS) Resource Center
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Resource Center

Use of Auxiliary personnel, vessels, aircraft, radio facilities & assets to assist in the
performance of USCG Missions is authorized by the United States Congress

• The decision to use Auxiliary Resources, Assets & Personnel to assist with disaster related missions within the Fifth District Southern Region (5SR) rests with the Commander, USCG Fifth District herein after referred to as the Commander and the 5SR Vice Commodore or Readiness Coordinator (D-RC)

• Prior specific approval must be received through the Chain of Leadership from the Commander and/or D-RC before Auxiliary Resources, Assets & Personnel can be used to support requests or missions from other organizations

• Under all circumstances & conditions, Auxiliary Resources, Assets & Personnel will remain under the direct Operational Control (OPCON) of the Commander or a designated authorized representative such as the local USCG Unit (Station Annapolis) or the on-scene USCG commander

USCG Auxiliary Severe Weather SOP

USCG Hurricane Conditions or Alert Levels are normally set by the Commander.  The local Coast Guard Unit Officer-in-Charge (OIC) may set Hurricane Conditions any time it is consider necessary or for drills and exercises clearly identifying such as an exercise.

The Five Condition or Alert Levels are:

• Condition 5 - Preparedness: set annually from 1 June through 30 November or when an alert is received from a designated authority

• Condition 4 - Alert: set when hurricane winds are expected within seventy-two (72) hours

• Condition 3 - Readiness: set when hurricane winds are expected within forty-eight (48) hours

• Condition 2 - Warning: set when hurricane winds are expected with twenty-four (24) hours

• Condition 1 - Danger: set when hurricane winds are expected within twelve (12) hours

  See Flotilla Emergency Response Plan (FL-ERP) on "Member's Only Deck" for
  detail information & required actions associated with each Condition or Alert Level

  Hurricane has left area (eye at least 100 miles away):

• Post Hurricane Recovery - Condition set when the storm is no longer a threat to area & recovery operations can be safely initiated