Know Your Zone Maryland

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Need more info? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

How to Know Your Zone

Remember: Evacuate your zone if told to do so by local officials!

Hurricane Evacuation in Maryland

(Click the image to download the guide!)

To make sure you know how to prepare and what to do in the event of a hurricane or other severe storm, check out our Hurricane Evacuation Guide!

It's got instructions for evacuation, but is also full of information on making family emergency plans, building preparedness kits, finding up-to-date news sources in a crisis, recovery assistance resources, and more.

Learn About Hurricanes

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone (or severe tropical storm) that can be accompanied by thunderstorms. Hurricanes have sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour and an area of low air pressure in the center called the "eye."

Hurricanes are given a category - 1 through 5 - based on wind speed. The higher the winds, the higher the category.

Maryland is primarily subject to the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak usually occurring sometime between mid-August and late October.

To receive alerts, tips, and resources related to threats & hazards that may affect (or are affecting) Maryland during the hurrican season and beyond, text "MdReady" to MD1.

There are four main threats hurricanes bring to our state:
1. Storm surge and tidal flooding
2. Flooding rains
3. Hazardous wind
4. Tornadoes

The torrential rains of a hurricane can cause further damage by creating floods and landslides. These not only affect the communities in the immediate vicinity of the storm, but through their cascading effects, also those many miles inland.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HURRICANE EMERGENCIES

Make an Emergency Supply Kit

An emergency supply kit is essential for being storm-safe!

Hurricanes and flooding can cause damage not only to your community and property, but also the roads and bridges that let emergency responders reach you to help. While help will always be on the way, being able to keep your family supplied until it arrives is key to making sure everyone stays safe and healthy.

Click the link below to find a checklist for what should be in your emergency supply kit. And don't worry! Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find - many may be things you have around your home already, and any one of them (no matter how small) could save your life.

GET YOUR EMERGENCY KIT CHECKLIST

Tips for Recovering After a Storm

Hurricanes don't only result in forceful winds and flooding - the damage they cause can create hazards that linger even after the storm subsides.

These can be obvious dangers like blocked roadways or damaged building structures, but they can also be harder to notice, like water damage to your home.

Click the link below to find some safety tips for the recovery phase. As you return home and begin to recover from the storm's effects, keep those tips in mind.

RECOVERY TIPS + RESOURCES

Hear It From The Top

"During hurricane season, it's crucial to be aware of potential hurricane hazards and whether you or your family are in, near, or traveling to, an evacuation zone. I strongly encourage all Marylanders to be proactive, prepared, and to spread the word to your friends, family, neighbors and let them know about the importance of this potentially life-saving initiative. Know Your Zone can make all the difference in ensuring your safety and the safety of your loved ones. Together we can be a safer and more resilient Maryland where we leave no one behind."

Wes Moore
Governor of Maryland

"Remember, it only takes one storm to change your life. I urge you to please, Know Your Zone, know what to do in case of an emergency, and know the resources available to you to help you in the recovery process. This information and important resources are available for you in this website and through our Hurricane Evacuation Guide. Thank you for visiting our Know Your Zone site and for playing a role in making a better, more resilient, and more prepared Maryland."

Russell J. Strickland
Secretary, Maryland Department of Emergency Management

Know Your Zone FAQs

Frequently asked questions about the new Know Your Zone map.

What Are Evacuation Zones?

Evacuation zones are designated as A, B, or C. They are in place across coastal counties in Maryland as well as Prince George’s County. In the event of a severe storm event, like a named tropical storm or a hurricane or other emergency, residents of one or more zones may be directed to evacuate depending on tides, storm intensity, path, and other factors.

Why Should I Care About My Zone?

Simply put, knowing your zone and knowing when to evacuate can save your family’s and your life.

Why Are There Three Different Zones?

When an evacuation is ordered, your zone will determine when you should evacuate. Having tiered evacuation zones decreases the possibility that roads will be overwhelmed with heavy traffic by spacing out the traffic load throughout the evacuation period.

Are high risk individuals given evacuation priorities?

When there is sufficient notification provided for a potential threat hazard requiring evacuation, emergency management teams will make every effort to provide messaging to at risk populations as early as possible. All residents should take extra precautions to be prepared to evacuate immediately upon request from your local and state leadership. People who are considered at 'high risk', or people who may have an increased level of vulnerability for a safe evacuation process, should evacuate as soon as possible when evacuations are recommended, and should take all critical supplies with them when they evacuate, including medicine, communications devices, and mobility tools. Individuals considered at risk for COVID-19 infections should make plans for non-congregate sheltering options, and be prepared to maintain contact with their local health department representatives, as necessary, and observe social distancing requirements during evacuations.

What should my go-bag contain in preparation for an evacuation?

Include face coverings, hand sanitizer, and disinfectants in your go-bag to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while you are evacuated. Also, make sure you include:

Medications, copy of medical records & prescriptions
Soap, toothbrush & toothpaste
Clothes
Bedding
Identification
Cash
Birth & marriage certificates
Documents that prove where you live
List of emergency contacts
Insurance policies
Pet supplies

Is there any guidance for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Much like personal preparedness, there are many steps you can take to protect your business before the storm forms. Start thinking about how COVID has affected your business operations and start designing plans that will withstand hurricane impacts. We understand the cost of the economic shutdown has been damaging in itself, but there are many no to low cost measures you can take to help you increase preparedness for any event.

Take this time to update the documentation of assets, review your insurance plans to understand your coverage, and design plans and foster partnerships to improve resiliency. If you have not signed up, we encourage you to sign up to be a Private Sector Integration Program (PSIP) member, for up to date awareness, and a lasting partnership in the face of any event: https://mema.maryland.gov/community/Pages/PSIP-Welcome.aspx

Am I Really At Risk in Maryland?

Yes. Each year, many coastal communities in Maryland experience threats from hurricanes including heavy rains, strong winds, rip currents, floods and coastal storm surges from tropical storms and hurricanes. A hurricane’s high winds may spawn tornadoes. Torrential rains cause further damage by causing floods and landslides, which not only threaten coastal communities but may impact communities many miles inland.

How Will I Know What To Do?

When a storm or hurricane is approaching, emergency managers will determine which zones are most at risk considering the intensity, path, speed, tides and other meteorological factors. Emergency managers at the state and local level will work with local media and use social media and other tools to notify residents of impacted zones what they should do to stay safe.

Depending on the emergency, being safe might mean staying at home, a short trip to higher ground, or traveling to a different region of the state.

What happens to Zone B once Zone A is evacuated?

Depending on the strength of the hurricane officials will decide which zones will be evacuated. If the hurricane is not anticipated to cause flooding in all zones officials may decide to evacuate just one or two zones. Residents not within an evacuation zone should be prepared to evacuate if conditions change and should contact their local emergency management office with questions.

What Parts Of Maryland Are Covered By The Evacuation Zones?

Nineteen localities participate in the program including City of Annapolis, Baltimore City and Town of Ocean City.

Maryland counties:

Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Caroline
Calvert
Cecil
Charles
Dorchester
Harford
Kent
Prince George's
Queen Anne's
Somerset
St. Mary's
Talbot
Wicomico
Worcester

How Will These New Zone Enhance Current Evacuation Plans, Boost Public Safety And Improve Travel Efficiencies In The Event Of Hurricanes Or Other Disasters?

The tiered evacuation zones identify areas vulnerable to flooding with precision that was not available until 2017. The newest technology and data allows emergency managers to tell residents of coastal Maryland more clearly whether they need to evacuate or shelter at home during a storm or other emergency.

The program consolidates hundreds of complex local evacuation areas into easy-to-understand zones. This makes it much easier to communicate with residents as a storm approaches.

The zones help citizens avoid unnecessary evacuation travel, thereby reducing highway congestion, easing overcrowding at local storm shelters, and boosting public safety.

What If I Enter My Address And My Home Or Business Is Not Located In One Of The Zones?

If your address is not located in a designated zone, the good news is you are not expected to be evacuated due to any of the identified storm scenarios.

However, that does not mean you will never have to heed instructions from your local emergency manager for major emergencies. You should still know how to protect your family from potential risks in the State of Maryland and listen closely to emergency communications during any severe weather event or emergency. Conditions can change quickly and emergency managers will provide you the best instructions to stay safe.

Learn more about preparing your family and business for any emergency at http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/resources-hurricane.aspx

The Map Is Not Working For Me. How Can I Find My Zone?

Some Internet or mobile services may have trouble loading the interactive map. You can still Know Your Zone by calling 2-1-1 or your local emergency manager.

Know Your Zone Maryland

​Know Your Zone FAQs

Know Your Zone FAQs