Governor Declares State of Emergency

ANNAPOLIS—Gov. Martin O'Malley declared a state of emergency in Maryland Thursday due to the heavy rains across the state that could cause moderate to heavy flooding.

According to a press release, the designation calls the Maryland National Guard to active service and allows the emergency operation centers for local jurisdictions to access state resources when the needs extends beyond their capabilities.

“I have ordered state emergency personnel and resources to be available statewide as we safeguard Maryland against the effects of this heavy rain," O’Malley said in the release. "I ask Marylanders to monitor their local news outlets in the coming days for further information.”

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood warning in Howard County and the Baltimore-Washington area Wednesday. Rainfall of up to 1/2 inch is expected in addition the 1 inch that fell earlier in the day.

According to the NWS, streams are likely to rise again during the evening rush hour with some streams rising out of their banks. A flood warning means that flooding is imminent or has been reported.

The NWS reminds drivers that most flood deaths occur in vehicles and urges drivers to not drive their vehicles into areas where water covers the roadway. Flood waters usually are deeper than they appear with 1 foot of flowing water being powerful enough to sweep a vehicle of the road.

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) activated to a Level 3 at noon due to the forecast of heavy rains that are impacting Maryland. Level 3 means representatives of state agencies involved in fire fighting, rescue, law enforcement, transportation, hospitals, utilities, evacuation, sheltering and emergency medical response will join MEMA staff in the state emergency operations center in Reisterstown, according to the release.

MEMA’s 24/7 Joint Operations Center is monitoring the weather and has been in contact with local jurisdictions to address any needs or concerns they have with regard to the weather.