MARYLAND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY LARRY HOGAN GOVERNOR BOYD K. RUTHERFORD LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR A Center for Preparedness Excellence LINDA L. SINGH MAJOR GENERAL THE ADJUTANT GENERAL RUSSELL J. STRICKLAND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Summary: Emergency Management/Weather Briefing Conference Call 1000 02 October, 2015 From: Russell Strickland, Executive Director Incident: Weather Event 01 October 15 Moderator: Kate Hession, Director of Operations Roll Call conducted for NOAA Weather Forecast Offices only. NOAA Weather Forecast Offices: Sterling, VA Wakefield, VA Mount Holly, NJ Pittsburgh, PA Mid-Atlantic River Flooding Center Current Weather Forecast: A coastal flood advisory indicates that onshore winds and wave action/tides will combine to create flooding of low areas along the shore and near tidal rivers and creeks. Be prepared for the possibility of road closures and minor flooding of properties. If travel is necessary, do not attempt to drive through water of unknown depth. The flood watch continues for portions of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia including the following: o Lower Eastern Shore Dorchester Inland Worcester Maryland beaches Somerset County Wicomico County Rainfall amounts of 2-3 inches are expected through Saturday. Stream and river levels are also expected to rise. Excessive rainfall may result in flooding of small streams and low water crossings Not for Public Release Page 1 of 5 02 Oct 15
Sterling, VA Atlantic Coastal Maryland is where most of the impacts are going to be the next few days. Flooding potential extends from today in tonight from heavy rain o Southern eastern shore and central and Southern MD 2-3 inches of rain Potential for small stream and low lying area flooding o Increasingly gusty winds today/tonight, remaining through weekending Wind advisory along Atlantic Coast today/tonight Gusts up to 50 mph for Ocean City Rest of MD o See potential for winds to knock over trees o 35 mph gusts Hurricane o Only direct impacts from Hurricane Joaquin passing well offshore are forecasted for Monday will be Atlantic Coast (Ocean City) o Ocean City forecast Monday night Moderate to major coastal flooding today to early next week 9-12 foot waves Rip tides Flood watches in effect until 2000 hours tonight Flash Flood watch for Central/Southern Maryland end 0800 tomorrow. Saturday Forecast o <1/4 inch everywhere Sunday Forecast o <1/10 inch for those who get rain (it will not be across the State) Tidal Coastal Flooding Potential o Minor tidal flooding likely in sensitive areas Not for Public Release Page 2 of 5 02 Oct 15
o Moderate tidal flooding is possible for lower Southern Maryland and Southern Eastern Shore Latest forecast o Storm pushing well to the East o Other than waves and continued Northeast winds, Joaquin will not directly impact Maryland Pittsburgh, PA Rain in Garret County will continue but taper off tonight (02, October, 2015). One inch to 1.5 inches forecasted for weekend East winds may gust up to 30 mph Not seeing any significant problems Mount Holly, NJ We are concerned about coastal flooding along Maryland Eastern Shore particularly high tide tonight and Saturday. o Flooding of low-lying areas (tidal rivers) Wakefield, VA High tide coming into Ocean City o Around 6 feet, expecting major flooding as tide comes up May see a slight drop of half a foot in high tide later tonight Winds may spike up as Joaquin passes and cause waters to push and flood on Sunday Low tides forecast to be at action stage/minor flooding Seas are 15 feet at buoy offshore Erosion getting pretty significant Main concerns are with winds o Upper 40s mph presently o Wind further into future will be up to Joaquin Winds could be up to 40s-50s as it pushes past o Wind direction remains Northeast On bay-side o Moderate flooding possible, surge of 1.5 feet at Bishops head Storm surge at OC is 3 feet but could reach 6 feet at high tide Mid-Atlantic River Forecast Center Small stream and urban flooding in Central and Southern MD Rivers could see sharp rises o 4 foot rise in Dawsonville o Could see isolated flooding Not for Public Release Page 3 of 5 02 Oct 15
ESF Reports: ESF 1- Bud Frank No disruptions to transportation systems at this time. There is some minor isolated debris in the roadways we are cleaning up as fast as possible. We have personnel available should the need to close roadways and direct traffic around flooded roads. At this point in time, with current wind speeds, there are no restrictions on Chesapeake Bay Bridge travel. If wind speed increased, it would mostly affect commercial vehicles and tractor trailers. ESF-3- Allan Williams Dam operators have been notified and wastewater treatment operators also notified to monitor weather. Solid waste program can extend hours if needed. ESF 4 and 9- Capt. Dave Larsen Currently National Resource Police is on 24/7 coverage. Over last day we have moved patrol vessels to strategic locations. Our dive team is staged at West Ocean City boathouse. There are two large patrol craft (coordinated with USCG) available and staging. Department of Natural Resources- State park closures; Assateague State Park is closed as of 1200 hours. ESF 6- Bethany Brown Working closely to prepare staffing plan and stage supplies should the need for a shelter open. The two easiest sites would be UMBC and Coppin State shelters. ESF 7- Margaret Fisher/Jim Keel Department of General Services has no outstanding requests for any resources. We are tracking inventories of resources should any resource requests be made. ESF 9- Capt. Dave Larsen Currently National Resource Police is on 24/7 coverage. Over last day we have moved patrol vessels to strategic locations. Our dive team is staged at West Ocean City boathouse. There are two large patrol craft (coordinated with USCG) available and staging. DNR- State park closures; Assateague State Park is closed as of 1200 hours. ESF 10- Allan Williams No major incidents as of now. ESF 13- Travis Nelson 50 troopers have been deployed to Ocean City to assist local Emergency Management Agency with operations. Had call with Mid-Atlantic Region, Virginia reports they may withdraw requests from EMAC. Presently we are not seeing any need for outside resources at this time. Not for Public Release Page 4 of 5 02 Oct 15
MEMA The State Response Activation Level was raised to a Level 3 at 0800. Maryland is no longer considering a pre-disaster declaration. Garret County- Nothing to Report Allegany County- Nothing to Report Washington County- Nothing to Report Montgomery County- Nothing to Report Prince George s County- Nothing to Report Frederick County- Nothing to Report Queen Anne s- Nothing to Report Talbot- Nothing to Report Calvert County- Nothing to Report Charles County- Nothing to Report Resource request for high clearance vehicles o We are anticipating cancelling that. Ocean City Resource Request Status o Mission is critical o Focus Next six sessions of high tide put us into moderate to severe flooding Water is up to our seawall Worcester County No resources anticipated as of now Reminders: There will be another weather call today after 1800 hours. Information about this call and the impending SEOC activation will be distributed later today. Not for Public Release Page 5 of 5 02 Oct 15