The City of Annapolis made phone calls on Wednesday, alerting residents to hit up the nearest grocery store (true story). Governor Larry Hogan signed an executive order placing Maryland in a state of emergency as of 7 a.m. Friday morning, roughly 12 hours before any legitimate snowfall is expected. Pennsylvania and Virginia have also declared states of emergency.
Whether you bought 40 rolls of toilet paper yesterday or if you think it will be a light dusting, we want you to be ready for anything. So here is what you need to know.
The blizzard will start Friday evening/night and last through Sunday. The snow will get heavy in a hurry, and by the time you wake up Saturday morning, you should see around six inches on the ground. There will be some seriously strong winds, upwards of 50 mph in gusts, earlier in the day. Watch the snow turn to sleet and freezing rain during the day, turning again to snow at night. We're in the market to get between 10 and 24 inche.
Along the beaches of the Eastern Shore and VA, watch for high winds over 50 mph, beach erosion, and flooding.
Kind of an early look at f-cast snow this weekend. Expect tweaks but general idea is on.. https://t.co/IYQWofvPsdpic.twitter.com/0isVUaKZfN
— Ari Sarsalari (@AriWeather) January 20, 2016
So what do you need to do?
Just a heads up, there is a chance of snow tomorrow during the day. Don't react like this guy:
Posted by 92.9 The BULL on Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Take care of the homestead.
Stock up on food and supplies! Make sure you have enough for at least a week of hanging out. And we believe that wine and beer belong in this list of provisions, too, so make sure you're covered there.
Fully charge your phones, and keep them charged. They're saying that the wind could kill power lines, so make sure you have some link to the world.
Fill up your gas tank. If you do lose power and heat, you can always stay warm and charge your phone in your car.
Have batteries. They are just so handy.
Stay off the road. Oh, I know. Your car can TOTALLY handle the snow. You're amazing. Your medal is in the mail. Stay off the road so SHA can get them clear without you joyriding all over the place.
Take care of your boat.
A nor’easter will be moving along the coast near Ocean City, MD, which is likely to cause beach erosion and coastal flooding. The western shore of Maryland could also see some flooding as the high winds could potentially funnel water up the Bay. According to meteorologist Marty Bass, the region will experience tides three to five feet above normal levels, and the full moon will cause the tides to rise another foot. With that in mind, make sure your boat is secure BEFORE the storm hits. The time to prepare is always before, not during. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure dock lines are secure and prepare for the possibility of higher than normal tides and wind gusts up t0 30 knots in some places.
- Ensure tarps/covers are secure and that too much snow/water isn’t puddling, especially in the cockpit area. If boats are on a lift, the added weight of snow could potentially push the lift beyond its limits. When the worst of the storm is over, make sure to clear excess snow off of boats, be they on land, lifts, or in the water.
- If your boat is in the water, make sure you have a working deicer or bubbler to prevent ice from forming around the hull.
- Before the storm, make sure your float switch or automatic bilge pump is operating properly.
And remember, as much as we all love our boats, it is not worth venturing out in a blizzard to check on them. Please be safe out there and make sure to make the necessary arrangements before the storm hits.
