Hurricane Hanna Pays Annapolis a Call

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:53:54 -0400

Wind and rain for this weekend

She's coming up the coast and could be here as early as Saturday. Annapolis, an historic port city, is ready for Hanna.

Department of Public Works employees were busy preparing sandbags at the City Dock this morning, and the bags were placed around downtown to hold back a storm surge that could bring the Chesapeake Bay into the streets of Annapolis. Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer says a storm surge of 3 to 6 feet is possible; anything more than 3 feet means water could make its way into downtown businesses. The city is supplying some of those sandbags to business owners, too.

It isn't often that our area receives a call from a hurricane, but when we do, rising water is usually the biggest issue. Heavy rains can lead to flooding, and a surge that pushes water up the Bay can mean high water for everyone nearby.

If you live near the water, be sure you are ready. Have plenty of fresh batteries and flashlights, fresh drinking water, and a battery-powered radio. There is always a chance that power will be lost for a while during a storm like Hanna. Stay safe inside – falling trees can cause damage to homes and cars; don't give them a chance to fall on you, too.

Although the center of Hanna is expected to go over the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and stay southeast of the Annapolis area, Governor O'Malley said all residents should prepare themselves. "The anxiety is that you never really know exactly where these hurricanes are going," Mr. O'Malley said. "Mother Nature can be unpredictable … so we have to keep an eye on it."

So as Hanna sweeps by, stay safe and dry. Keep your pets inside with you, and we'll all hope that Hanna just gives us a gentle wave as she goes by!

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Hurricane Hanna Pays Annapolis a Call