Torrential Rains Forecast - Are You Ready???

Mother Nature is planning to visit bringing torrential rains and possibilities for floods and flash flooding. September is National Preparedness Month and the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department is teaming up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready Campaign in encouraging Americans to take an active role in personal and community disaster preparedness.

National Preparedness Month is a nationwide campaign highlighting the simple steps each of us can take to be prepared for emergencies.

With a motto that inspires us to 'Plan Now. Work Together. Be Ready.' National Preparedness Month 2010 will highlight ways for us to be prepared in our homes, businesses and communities.

The men and women, career and volunteer, of your Fire/EMS Department need your help in “Keeping you Safe” and ask that you remember to; “Stay Informed, Stay Prepared and Stay Safe.”

Is there any irony that a potentially major weather event is occurring on the last day of National Preparedness Month?? For additional information on preparedness and an Emergency Kit, Click Here

The National Weather Service has issued the following advisory for September 29th and 30th, 2010:

FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT

THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MARYLAND...THE DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIA...CENTRAL AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND THE EASTERN WEST

VIRGINIA PANHANDLE.

* FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING

* LIGHT RAIN OVERSPREADING THE AREA FROM THE SOUTHEAST THIS

AFTERNOON WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY TONIGHT...BECOMING HEAVY AT

TIMES OVERNIGHT AND THURSDAY AS LOW PRESSURE TRACKS UP THE EAST

COAST. RAINFALL TOTALS OF TWO TO FOUR INCHES ARE EXPECTED...

WITH LOCALIZED AMOUNTS UP TO SIX INCHES POSSIBLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD

TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

PEOPLE LIVING IN AREAS THAT ARE PRONE TO FLASH FLOODING SHOULD

MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD

FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

Flood Safety Tips...

• Never try to walk, swim, or drive through swift-moving floodwater. If you must walk in a flooded area, walk where the water is not moving. Remember, 2 feet of water will float your vehicle and 6 inches of fast moving floodwater can knock you off your feet.

• If you come upon floodwaters, STOP, TURN AROUND AND GO ANOTHER WAY!!

• Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road.

• If your car stalls, leave it and seek higher ground, if you can do so safely.

• Stay informed about the storm and possible flooding by listening to your NOAA weather radio, commercial radio or television or the world wide web.

Did you know that floods kill more people every year than any other weather event??

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