Another downside of the hot, humid dog days of summer is the advent of hurricane season, the six-month span where the potential is likely for the severest of weather.
So to get county residents in tune with the potential dangers such storms can bring, Prince George’s officials have named June Flood Awareness Month.
While hurricanes aren’t commonplace in Prince George’s, the extreme weather conditions that occur during hurricane season, such as tropical storms, violent winds and heavy rains, can cause flooding which threatens lives, and damages property and structures.
And recently, the county has been stuck by twisters, causing rooftop damage and ripping down power lines and trees.
In April, the Baltimore Sun reported that a tornado touched down at a water park in Chillum, west of Hyattsville. And last month, a tornado was spotted in the Clinton-Brandywine area, causing power outages.
In a recent statement, County Executive Jack Johnson said “The safety of county citizens and residents and the protection of property are of the utmost importance to me and my administration. Increasing public awareness of potential flood threats and the actions we can take to protect life and property are essential.”
The county said that as part of its flood management program, the Department of Environmental Resources has performed floodplain studies covering most of the urbanized watersheds within the Prince George’s. The department has identified about 3,700 flood prone structures countywide, most within the Anacostia Watershed.
“Citizens and residents, especially those living in the older communities developed prior to the enactment of floodplain regulations, need to be aware of the potential for flooding in their communities,” said DER Director Charles W. Wilson. “This program offers an opportunity for them to protect their homes and businesses by taking steps to reduce the impact of major flooding.”
According to county officials, as of March 1, there were 2,057 flood insurance policies in effect in Prince George’s. The total savings to these policyholders is about $381,184 per year. The savings are anticipated to grow each year as compliance with the National Flood Insurance Reform Act increases and the CRS rating improves.
For more information on flood prone structures, flood management and safety tips, and how to purchase flood insurance, please call the DER’s Environmental Services Group at (301) 883-3311. For information on the NFIP, please call (800) 427-4661, TDD 1-800-427-5593.
--PGS Staff
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