Maryland hurricane guide¶

The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) leads the state's hurricane preparedness and response, working with local emergency managers. MDEM names four main hurricane threats: storm surge and tidal flooding, flooding rains, hazardous wind, and tornadoes. Evacuation zones A, B, and C cover coastal counties and Prince George's County, so use Know Your Zone to find yours, sign up for local alerts through MdReady, and follow your local emergency manager.

Checked on October 8, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from the Maryland Department of Emergency Management. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

Counties¶

Choose your county. Each county page has its emergency numbers, evacuation zones, and shelters, and lists its cities and towns.

More places are on the way. Until yours is listed, see the official sources page or call 211.

Emergency and information numbers¶

Service	Number	Notes
Emergency	911	Police, fire, and ambulance. Call only when someone's life or property is in danger.
Maryland Department of Emergency Management office	410-517-3600	Office line in Hanover. Not for emergencies.
211 Maryland	211	Free, confidential help finding services, day or night. Deaf and hard of hearing callers can dial 711 for Maryland Relay. It is not an emergency line. 211 can also help you find your evacuation zone if the map will not load.
Road conditions and traffic concerns (MDOT SHA)	410-582-5650	MDOT State Highway Administration Statewide Operations Center, for traffic concerns that are not emergencies. Maryland 511 and CHART show live road closures online.

Official alerts and information¶

MdReady alert sign up: MdReady, run by MDEM, is the state's page for signing up for alerts. Sign up before a storm. Website.
MdReady local emergency info: Choose your county to find its alert resources. Website.

Statewide resources¶

Maryland Department of Emergency Management: Statewide news, alerts, preparedness, and hazard information. Website.
Know Your Zone Maryland: Look up your evacuation zone by address. Zones A, B, and C are in coastal counties and Prince George's County. If your address is in no zone, you are not expected to be evacuated in the storm scenarios studied, but still follow local instructions. Website.
MdReady hurricane safety: Steps to take before, during, and after a hurricane. If you live in a mobile home, plan to leave. Website.
Maryland 511 and CHART (MDOT SHA): Maryland's official traveler information service, with live traffic cameras, road closures, and weather related road conditions. Website.
211 Maryland: Dial 211 or search online for food, housing, utility help, and other services. Website.

Evacuation centers¶

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

Shelters open only when officials announce them. MdReady says that if you cannot return home and need a shelter, you should contact your local emergency management office to find shelter locations near you. Follow your local alerts to learn which shelters are open. See your county page.

Help to evacuate¶

Your local emergency management office: If you need help to evacuate or have a disability or medical need, contact your local emergency management office before a storm and ask what help it offers. See your county page. MdReady lists alert resources for each county. Website.

Radio, TV and weather¶

Keep a battery or hand crank radio. When power and cell service fail, radio is often the only way to hear official updates.

Official forecasts¶

National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington: Local forecasts, watches, and warnings for much of central Maryland. The office is in Sterling, Virginia. Check your county page for the office that covers you. Phone: 571-888-3500. Website.
National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly: Forecasts, watches, and warnings for areas near Delaware. The office is in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Check your county page for the office that covers you. Phone: 609-261-6600. Website.
National Weather Service Wakefield: Forecasts, watches, and warnings for parts of the Eastern Shore. The office is in Wakefield, Virginia. Check your county page for the office that covers you. Phone: 757-899-4200. Website.
National Hurricane Center: Official hurricane forecasts, watches, and warnings. Website.

Power, water and debris¶

BGE: Report an outage online, by text, by app, or by calling 1-877-778-2222, any hour. Assume every downed line is live and stay away. Check your bill or your county page to confirm your provider. Phone: 877-778-2222. Website.
Pepco: Report an outage online, by text, by app, or by calling 1-877-737-2662, any hour. Assume every downed line is live and stay away. Check your bill or your county page to confirm your provider. Phone: 877-737-2662. Website.
Delmarva Power: Report an outage online, by text, or by calling 1-800-898-8042, any hour. Assume every downed line is live and stay away. Check your bill or your county page to confirm your provider. Phone: 800-898-8042. Website.
Potomac Edison: Report an outage online, by text, or by calling 1-888-544-4877. Assume every downed line is live and stay away. Check your bill or your county page to confirm your provider. Phone: 888-544-4877. Website.
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO): Outage reporting for members, by calling 877-747-6326. Assume every downed line is live and stay away. Check your bill or your county page to confirm your provider. Phone: 877-747-6326. Website.

Sources¶

Checked on October 8, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.