Saying that now was the time to ‘Be vigilant,” Howard County Executive Ken Ulman declared a state of emergency in Howard County as conditions worsened due to Hurricane Sandy.

“I cannot emphasize enough the serious nature of what looks to be a once-in-a-lifetime weather event,” Ulman wrote in a statement. “Now is the time to stay in place, be safe, and be vigilant.”

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On Monday morning, Gov. Martin O’Malley said the killer storm would beat on Maryland for 24 to 36 hours.

Ulman signed the executive order declaring a state of emergency which, according to the county charter, allows him to take the actions necessary to “protect the lives, health and property of the citizens of Howard County.” He said in the statement that he could issue directives “that further restrict vehicular and pedestrian travel, as well as some business operations.”

He also urged all non-emergency vehicles to stay off the road and announced the following closings for Tuesday, Oct. 30:

• County Government will be closed, including offices, county parks, senior centers, community centers, libraries, and the health department.

• Trash and recycling pickup is cancelled.

• The Howard County Public School System is closed, including offices.

• Howard Transit service is cancelled.

• Howard County Community College – classes and events are cancelled.

• Howard County Circuit Court is closed.

Post your storm-related photos (board games? Cookie-baking? Sand-bagging?) in our photo gallery here and blog about your experience weathering Hurricane Sandy here.