Annapolis, MD (August 7, 2023) - At 1:20 p.m. on Monday, August 7, the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for Central Maryland, including Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis until 9 p.m. tonight. The watch is in response to severe weather moving towards the Annapolis area from the west-southwest.
A watch means that conditions are favorable for a severe weather event. A warning is when severe weather is imminent or occurring in the warned area.
Timing: The Washington, DC area is expected to begin to feel the effects of the storm system around 2 p.m. For Annapolis, expect rain, damaging winds (sustained winds to 20 MPH with gusts 50-75 MPH), and the potential for large hail and even tornadic activity around the evening rush hour (4 to 8 p.m.).
Prepare: Secure loose items around the exterior of your home so they don’t become projectiles in a severe wind event. Identify an interior room in your house, such as a basement or interior bathroom, where your family can seek shelter during a tornado warning. Make sure your mobile devices are fully charged. Fill containers with drinking water and freeze them to keep the contents of your refrigerator cool in the event of extended power outages.
Flooding: Do not drive through standing water. Roadbeds may be washed out under flood waters. As little as six inches of water can cause most passenger cars to lose control and stall out. A foot of water will float most vehicles. Two feet of water can carry away most SUVs and pickup trucks. Please follow Annapolis Police directives and turn around at road closures.
Power outages: Report electric outages at www.BGE.com/outages or by calling 11-877-778-2222. Stay at least 30 feet away from any downed power line. Do not go near the pole or touch anything touching the downed line.
Annapolis Recreation and Parks: The Roger “Pip” Moyer Recreation Center and the Stanton Center will both close at 6 p.m. All evening activities are canceled.
Annapolis Transit: Transit operations will continue on the regular schedule, but route conditions will be monitored throughout the evening. For updates or changes to Annapolis Transit, visit: the City’s Facebook page or call 410-263-7964.
Annapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) is prepared for this storm with “cut and toss” teams ready to remove debris from City sidewalks, roadways, and City rights-of-way.
The Annapolis Harbormaster’s office will close on Monday at 4 p.m. The Harbormaster has asked boat owners to check in on docked boats after this severe weather event. As water recedes, boats may shift to floating above the pier or lift. As water levels return to normal, boats may become lodged on fixed structures or atop other boats. This can result in a vessel taking on water or sinking. Please check boats to prevent fuel leaks and property damage. In addition, boats should move off anchor to a mooring ball where possible. Boat owners are responsible for vessels that drag anchor and damage other boats or property.
The Annapolis Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has raised its Emergency Operations Center activation level to Enhanced and advises the following:
Limit travel where possible. If traveling, please remember:
- Use caution on roadways and be alert to bridge closures due to windy conditions
- The Annapolis Call Center will activate to assist the public. Please call 410-260-2211 to report non-emergency medical needs or downed trees.
Stay Informed:
- Download the “Prepare Me Annapolis” mobile app to receive important push notifications on your smartphone. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices.
- Sign up for Alert Annapolis, a community notification system. Receive voicemails, text messages, and/or emails in case of emergencies or other events. Find out more at http://alertannapolis.civicready.com or text ANNAPOLIS to 38276 to receive text notifications.
Connect with the City on social media:
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/CityofAnnapolis
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/cityofannapolis
