Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Howard County

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect through 9 p.m. across Howard County and much of the region.

According to the National Weather Service, a storm system moving through the Mid-Atlantic Friday afternoon and evening has the potential to produce "damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall."

Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is forecast, with higher amounts possible in isolated pockets.

Baltimore Gas and Electric announced earlier Friday it has more than 500 employees and contractors in central Maryland prepared to respond to fallen power lines and other electrical problems as a result of storm activity.

BGE recommends households have the following items on hand in case of a power outage:

• Flashlights – not candles
• Fresh batteries
• Battery operated clock radio
• Corded telephone
• Fully charged cell phone
• Non-perishable foods

With the temperatures in the lower 90s, BGE also recommends following these steps to prevent heat exhaustion or heat-related illness:

• Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water
• Consider going to a cool place such as a movie theater, mall or pool
• Relax in the basement where the temperature is typically several degrees cooler than the rest of the house
• Use a microwave instead of the stove or oven 
• Avoid using other heat-producing appliances such as dishwashers and clothes dryers
• Draw blinds and curtains in rooms that receive a lot of sunlight
• Turn ceiling fan on with blades rotating counter clockwise
• Setting thermostats at 78 degrees or higher, if health allows
• Delaying use of major, heat generating household appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and dryers until after 9 p.m. when the temperature begins to drop 
• Turning off non-essential appliances, electronics and other devices