Westminster, MD, Thursday, August 27, 2020 – Today, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners proclaimed September as Carroll County Preparedness Month.  September is also Maryland Preparedness Month and National Preparedness Month, and due to the COVID-19 restrictions, many government agencies, businesses, community groups, schools and families will participate in virtual events to help promote disaster preparedness.

The theme for this year’s preparedness month is “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.” Throughout the month of September, individuals and families in Carroll County are encouraged to create an emergency supplies kit, develop an emergency communications plan, and learn more about what kinds of hazards might affect our area. Preparing when threats are not imminent can make communities more resilient when disasters do occur.

Hazards common to Carroll County include flooding, high winds, severe thunderstorms and winter storms. The Atlantic hurricane season runs through November each year, and the area can experience effects from tropical weather throughout the fall months.

“As 2020 has shown us, disasters and emergencies can strike at any time and take many forms,” County Commissioner President Stephen Wantz noted. “I hope all Carroll County residents spend some time on preparedness activities now to help ready themselves to handle future emergencies.”

Several online sources providing good emergency preparedness information include:

• MEMA: http://mema.maryland.gov
• Federal Emergency Management Agency: http://www.ready.gov
• National Weather Service: http://www.weather.gov/safety

Additional information can also be found in the Are You Ready? Citizen’s Guide to Emergency Preparedness, and on the Carroll County Emergency Management website.

Open session is available for viewing on the county meeting portal and the county YouTube channel. In addition, all meetings will be replayed on Comcast Channel 24.