St. Mary’s County residents bag sand in preparation of possible storm surges over the weekend. There are a total of 11 sandbag fill and pickup locations in the Tri-County area. Photos by Ron Bailey and Joseph Norris

Governments from all three Southern Maryland counties are providing sand and sandbags to residents due to the forecast of heavy rains over the next few days.

St. Mary’s County

Leonardtown, MD – The St. Mary’s County Department of Public Works & Transportation advises residents of the following:

As a part of the readiness and pre-emergency phase, the County is making sandbags available for use by residents. This is a self-serve process and staff will be on-site to monitor, but will have limited availability to assist in the filling or loading of sandbags.

Sandbags are not pre-filled and each individual will be limited to between 10-25 sandbags while supplies last. Sand, bags, and shovels will be available at all six (6) convenience centers for County residents wishing to obtain sandbags in preparation for the effects of Hurricane Joaquin.

The convenience centers are located at:

* ​Charlotte Hall – 37766 New Market Turner Road
• Oakville – 26630 North Sandgates Road
• Clement’s – 24547 Horseshoe Road
• St. Andrews – 44595 St. Andrews Church Road
• Valley Lee – 45350 Happyland Road
• Ridge – 13939 Point Lookout Road

The convenience centers will operate under extended hours for this effort as follows:
• Thursday, October 1, 2015: from noon to 6:30 pm
• Friday, October 2, 2015: from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm
• Saturday, October 3, 2015: return to normal hours from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Citizens are reminded that this is a self-serve process and staff will be on-site to monitor, but will have limited availability to assist in the filling or loading of sandbags. Sandbags are not pre-filled and each individual will be limited to between 10-25 sandbags while supplies last.

Sandbags provide limited protection and are intended to redirect small storm water and debris flows away from structures. It is suggested that residents lay a plastic sheet between the building and the bags to control the flow and prevent water from seeping into the door or window wells. Generally the placement of bags is stacked up to three layers with each bag being tamped into place.

When sandbags are not available, residents are advised to use local soil or other containers (i.e. small plastic grocery bags and pillow cases.) Once used, homeowners should empty the material in the bags into their yards and then properly discard the bags.

For more information access our website at prepare.stmarysmd.com.

Charles County

Oct. 2, 11:51 p.m.

The Charles County Department of Emergency Services has received additional sandbags for county residents who need them to protect property. Sandbags and sand will be available on Friday, Oct. 2 from noon to 8 p.m. or until bags and/or sand supply is depleted.   This will be the last day for sandbag distribution.

Residents are responsible for picking up empty sandbags at the Department of Emergency Services building (10425 Audie Lane, off of Radio Station Road in La Plata) located on the front porch under the awning, transporting the bags to Laurel Springs Park, and filling the bags with sand.  Sand will be available in the first parking lot at Laurel Springs Park (5940 Radio Station Rd, La Plata). 

There is a limit of 10 bags per person. Residents should bring a shovel to fill the bags. No shovels or other tools will be provided.

Severe weather notices are posted online at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov, on CCGTV which broadcasts on Verizon channel 10 and Comcast channel 95, www.facebook.com/CharlesCounty and www.twitter.com/CharlesCoMD. Sign up for the Citizen Notification System at www.CharlesCountyCNS.com to receive inclement weather and traffic alerts by e-mail or phone. Call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

Charles County Government sand distribution continues for county residents who need them to protect property. Due to high demand, sandbags are no longer available. Residents are encouraged to purchase bags from a local home improvement store, and bring them to the sand distribution location at Laurel Springs Park (5940 Radio Station Road, La Plata). Residents should bring a shovel to fill bags. No shovels or other tools will be provided. Distribution is scheduled to continue until sand supply is depleted. If sand runs out prior to 8 p.m., distribution will cease until further notice.

Due to the National Weather Service forecast, the Charles County Department of Emergency Services is providing sandbags to county residents who need them to protect property.

Sandbags and sand will be available on Thursday, Oct. 1 from noon to 8 p.m.  Residents are responsible for picking up empty sandbags at the Department of Emergency Services building (10425 Audie Lane, off of Radio Station Road in La Plata) located on the front porch under the awning, transporting the bags to Laurel Springs Park, and filling the bags with sand.  Sand will be available in the first parking lot at Laurel Springs Park (5940 Radio Station Rd, La Plata). 

 

There is a limit of 10 bags per person. Residents should bring a shovel to fill the bags. No shovels or other tools will be provided.

Severe weather notices are posted online at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov, on CCGTV which broadcasts on Verizon channel 10 and Comcast channel 95, www.facebook.com/CharlesCounty and www.twitter.com/CharlesCoMD. Sign up for the Citizen Notification System at www.CharlesCountyCNS.com to receive inclement weather and traffic alerts by e-mail or phone. Call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

Calvert County

PRINCE FREDERICK, MD —  With up to 10 inches of rain predicted for the region over the next three days, the Calvert County Department of Public Safety is urging county residents to be prepared for the potential for coastal and inland flooding.
The county is making sand and sand bags available for residents who need them to protect property. Up to 10 sand bags per vehicle may be picked up today, Wednesday, Sept. 30 through Friday, Oct. 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:
·         Appeal Salt Dome, 401 Sweetwater Road, Lusby
·         Stafford Road Salt Dome, 335 Stafford Road, Barstow
·         Mt. Hope Community Center, 104 Pushaw Station Road, Sunderland
Residents are encouraged to bring their own bags and shovels. County staff will be available to assist those in need.
To keep abreast of local conditions and emergency information, residents are encouraged to download the free “Prepare Me Calvert” emergency preparedness mobile application now available for iOS (Apple) and Android devices through the Apple App Store or the Google Play market. Residents can also sign up for Calvert County ALERT to receive timely information about various emergency and nonemergency situations. Sign up for Calvert County ALERT online at www.co.cal.md.us and click on the Emergency Alerts button. Those without Internet can contact the Calvert County Division of Emergency Management at 410-535-1600, ext. 2638, to sign up or for additional emergency preparedness information.
For information on Calvert County Government, visit www.co.cal.md.us or like us on Facebook.

Generally the placement of bags is stacked up to three layers with each bag being tamped into place. If sand is not available, residents are advised to use local soil. When sandbags are not available, other containers (i.e. small plastic grocery bags and pillow cases) can be utilized. Once used, homeowners should empty the material in the bags into their yards and then properly discard the bags.