Hurricane season has started already and will last until November. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this year’s season will be near normal or below normal because of the El Niño phenomenon, which reduces the number and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes. However, according to an article on myeasternshoremd.com:
Despite the optimistic forecast, Ed McDonough, public information officer for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, said he still worries that a hurricane could make its way up the coast to Maryland.
“It really doesn’t matter how many hurricanes we have in a season. If we have one hurricane, it’s a bad season,” he said. “I don’t worry so much about the forecast; it doesn’t really change how we prepare.”
The Lower Eastern Shore News added:
In Maryland, hurricanes can bring heavy winds, coastal storm surge, tidal flooding and inland flooding and can spawn tornadoes. They also can be responsible for widespread power outages; in 2003, Hurricane Isabel knocked out power to approximately 1.3 million electric customers around the state. Recovery for the hardest hot communities can take years.
While hurricanes are not the most common disasters to affect Maryland, the same preparedness steps residents take for hurricanes will be helpful in the wake of severe thunderstorms, flooding, tornadoes, winter storms, power outages and other events more common in this region.
Obviously, people can’t just dismiss the potential damage of even one hurricane. Aside from preparing emergency kits, homeowners should gear up their home especially the roof and gutter. Consult a contractor that can provide high quality products to minimize the damage this season may bring. When heavy rain falls, your gutter should be fully functioning. If it is damaged, contact a company offering gutter repair to Maryland like Blair Construction.
Roofers in Maryland like Blair Construction LLC can also perform other services such as repair, maintenance and inspection. Get your roof and gutter prepared this hurricane season and don’t skimp on any necessary tasks – just look at what happened two years ago when Hurricane Sandy arrived.
(Article Excerpt from DESPITE PREDICTIONS OF QUIET 2014 HURRICANE SEASON, MARYLAND RESIDENTS URGED TO MAKE PREPARATIONS by Jonathan Taylor, Lower Eastern Shore News, May 27, 2014; Article Excerpt from Strong El Nino could mean weak Maryland hurricane season by Brian Compere, My Eastern Shore MD, May 21, 2014)