Emergency Preparedness

Public Health Preparedness Program

Mission: To prepare and respond to natural and man-made public health emergencies including, but not limited to:

severe weather conditions
bioterrorism
disease outbreaks
radiological/nuclear hazards

Medical Reserve Corps-Volunteer or Request Volunteers

flood, health worker in protective equipment, lightening, snowstorm

Each month HCHD will bring you information and resources about different hazards and how to be prepared to respond.

Hazard of the Month: Flood Preparedness

April is Maryland Flood Awareness Month! According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) and stated in the Howard County Flood Mitigation Plan floods are the most common weather-related disaster to occur in the United States and their frequency has increased with changes in the climate. Flash floods are the most dangerous kind due to the combination of power and speed.

The Howard County, Maryland Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment document, affirms Howard County has vulnerabilities to floods; some of the major cities in the County, such as Ellicott City, Elkridge, and the Allview neighborhood in Columbia, are in low-lying areas. Between 2002 and 2022, the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCDC) reports that there were 32 flash flood events. The future annual probability of a Flood is 11-30% + chance of annual occurrence, or one event every 1–9 years.

Watch Weather Briefly: Flooding on the NOAA Weather Partners YouTube Channel.

To learn how you can prepare for, respond to, and recover from flooding events, click on the tabs below:

• Before a Flood

• During a Flood

• After a Flood

Before a Flood

Determine Your Risk:

Howard County has a history of floods, but some areas are at greater risk than others. Most homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood insurance. You can learn about the chances of flooding in your area and how much flood insurance might cost on the Howard County Department of Public Works Flood Insurance Rate Map page.

Howard County Environmental Services staff can be reached about flood-related questions at [email protected] or by phone at 410-313-6444.

Visit the National Flood Safe page or call 877-336-2627 to find flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Watch the Weather:

• Up-to-date weather information for your area can always be found on the National Weather Service website.

• Keep an eye on social media pages that post weather updates for Howard County and surrounding areas, such as the National Weather Service’s Baltimore-Washington Twitter account. Follow #FloodAwareMD on your favorite social media platforms for flood awareness tips throughout the month of April.

• Learn the difference between a Flood Watch and Flood Warning.

• Write down these local weather radio station frequencies in case you lose electricity and internet.

Make a Plan and Take Preventive Action:

When the chance of flooding is high, here are some steps to help protect your property and valuables:

▪ Keep important documents in a waterproof container.

▪ Create password-protected digital copies.

▪ Protect your property.

▪ Move valuables to a higher level.

▪ Clear exterior drains and gutters of debris.

▪ Install check valves.

▪ Consider a sump pump with a battery.

You should always have a generalized emergency plan for your household. Visit Ready.gov

Visit the Make a Plan webpage to learn what it should include.

Watch this video from FEMA about flood preparedness

During a Flood

Espanol PDF

Here are some immediate actions to take during a flood.

Inside your home:

Stay updated on the flood status by radio, television, and internet.
Stay out of any room where floodwaters cover electrical cords or outlets.
Head to upper floors when possible if lower floors become flooded.
Evacuate immediately if ordered to do so. Turn off utilities and lock the doors as you leave.

In a vehicle:

Do NOT drive through flooded areas or past barricades—even shallow waters can sweep away your car. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

Outside:

Head for higher ground and shelter immediately.
Call 911 if you become trapped or believe you are at risk of drowning.
Avoid contact with floodwaters, which may contain sewage, debris, and other toxins.

After a Flood

Once floodwaters have stopped rising, keep yourself safe:

Monitor the radio, television, and internet to determine whether/when it is safe to return to or leave your home.
Continue to avoid contact with floodwater.
Stay off the roads as much as possible, even if water has receded.
Check on family members and friends to ensure that they are safe.

If you are returning to your home after evacuating:

Turn off your electricity and other utilities (if they weren’t already).
Continue monitoring radio, television, and social media for government assistance information programs.
Contact your insurance agent/company.

Flood Resources

View the following resources to learn about receiving assistance, repairing your home, and salvaging belongings:

FEMA, Starting Your Recovery After a Flood

American Red Cross, https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/flood-relief.html
Howard County Health Department

“Returning After a Flood”
“Food Safety After a Power Outage or Flood”
“Cleaning Mold and Mildew”

Howard County Public Works, “Flood Protection”
Howard County Office of Emergency Management “2024-2029 HC Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan”
YouTube video from The Weather Channel: Fighting the Floods: Ellicott City
The Baltimore Sun, How Ellicott City flooded: A Timeline

Be Prepared

Let's Get Started

General Preparedness Information

Extreme Hot and Cold Weather Conditions

Hurricanes, Storms and Floods

Influenza (Flu)

Zika Resources

Bioterrorism Agents & Diseases

Additional Resources

Cold Weather Safety

Colder weather often yields temperatures that can be dangerous after long periods of exposure, if proper precautions are not taken. Some of the dangers associated with winter weather include hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning and injuries from heat sources.

Frostbite is the freezing and subsequent destruction of body tissue. The areas most likely to freeze are toes, fingers, ears, cheeks and the tip of the nose.

To protect yourself and your family in cold weather follow the below tips:

Cover your head.
Wear several layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. The air between layers acts as insulation to keep you warmer
Wear mittens rather than fingered gloves. The close contact of fingers helps keep your hands warm.
Wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks, or two pairs of lightweight socks.
Be alert to other common winter hazards, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and injuries from heat sources. CO is produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. This colorless, odorless gas can cause severe illness and death. Go here for CO poisoning prevention tips.
Equip your vehicles with items such as heavy blankets, water, nonperishable food, a flashlight and a snow shovel. More information about cold weather.

Additional Resources about Cold Weather Safety:

Anyone in need of shelter or other assistance should call the Grassroots hotline at 410-531-6677 or visit grassrootscrisis.org.

Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps

How can YOU help in an emergency?
Become a Howard County Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer

The Howard County Medical Reserve Corps (HCMRC) Program is volunteer organization created in July 2002. Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers can be medical and public health professionals or community members with no healthcare background.

This organization prepares for and responds to extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, blizzards, and floods, as well as other emergencies affecting public health, such as disease outbreaks.

The MRC also plans community health activities that promote healthy habits.

For more information or questions, contact Randell Young at 410-313-7237 or via email.

Request MRC Volunteers for your organization's public health event

Howard County MRC volunteers may be able to assist your organization with an upcoming event. Complete this request form to let us know what your needs are and you will receive a response within 72 hours from our team with the next steps. Submissions must be completed at least 2 weeks before the event. Questions should be emailed to [email protected].

Criteria to qualify for MRC assistance:

The requesting agency provides a service which promotes or supports public health initiatives in Howard County.
The event for which assistance is being sought does not conflict with other planned HCMRC activities.
The requesting agency’s mission may not conflict with the mission of the HCHD, or the HC MRC.

Examples of Public Health Initiatives: