What The 2022 Hurricane Season Means For Maryland

MARYLAND — Marylanders should get ready for another busy hurricane season. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is predicting 14-21 named storms, making it the seventh consecutive 'above-average' hurricane season. Half of those could be major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher.

Wednesday marks the official start of 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30. With Maryland situated along the East Coast, it is naturally vulnerable to high winds, storm surges and heavy winds.

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Season 2022 Predicted To Be 'Above Normal': NOAA

For about the last 70 years, Maryland has declared more than 30 major disasters, of which floods and hurricanes happened the most, Crisis Equipped, a company focused on emergency preparedness, reports.

In 2020, following damaging tornadoes and flooding stemming from Tropical Storm Isaias, Gov. Larry Hogan requested a disaster declaration through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Public Assistance disaster relief program.

The following year, Hogan made another request for federal assistance after remnants of Tropical Depression Ida hit Maryland hard, once again resulting in heavy flooding and tornadoes.

The good news is that it's not often that hurricanes make landfall in the state. A brush with a hurricane — defined as coming within 50 miles of the coast — typically happens about once every 15 years in Maryland, according to The Baltimore Sun.

But that's no reason for Marylanders to let their guard down. Residents should always be prepared, emergency officials warn.

The American Red Cross offers these tips to make sure your family is ready to either evacuate or hunker down if a storm threatens your community.

• First, create an evacuation plan. Plan what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency or if you need to evacuate.
• Build an emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants or pets, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.
• Stay informed. Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.
• Download the free Red Cross Emergency app to have severe weather safety information right at your fingertips. The Emergency app provides real-time weather alerts and tips on how to stay safe during severe weather and countless other emergencies. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.