Storm Preparedness Information

·       Have both a Shelter In Place plan and an Evacuation plan.

·       Locate your nearest public shelter. (See http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/227283/158/DC-Area-Shelters-Open-As-Massive-Storm-Approaches)

·       Always Report your power outage to whether it's just your house or the whole neighborhood:

o   PEPCO: 877-737-2662.

o   Allegheny Power: 800-255-3443

o   Baltimore Gas & Electric (BG&E): 877-778-2222

o   Dominion:  866-366-4357

o   Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO): 877-747-6326

o   Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC): 703-335-0500

·       Montgomery County residents: report downed trees and other non-emergency issues:

o   In Montgomery County and DC, call 311 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m)

o   Outside of Montgomery County, call 240-777-031

o   Website: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/311  

·       Maryland and Virginia Road Conditions:

o   Call 511

·       Emergencies such as “hot” or sparkling wires, injured or ill people:

o   Call 911

·       Sign up for your area’s Alerts:

o   District of Columbia  https://textalert.ema.dc.gov 

o   Gaithersburg  https://alert.gaithersburgmd.gov/

o   Montgomery County  https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/  

o   MTA/MARC  http://www.mtamarylandalerts.com/LoginC.aspx  

o   OPM  http://www.opm.gov/Operating_Status_Schedules/          

·       Food Safety:

o   Refrigerated food can last up to four hours. After that, discard all perishables.

o   Frozen food can last up to 48 hours if  the freezer is full but if it isn’t then only up to 24 hours.

o   See this for detail and print out a copy before you lose power:   www.fsis.usda.gov/fact_sheets/keeping_food_Safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp

·       Print out a list of emergency numbers and people who could help you and people you should check on.

·       Remember to recharge all critical electronic devices (obviously before power goes out J).

 Updated: 10/29/12 10:20 AM