City Storm Preparation Actions for Tuesday, September 11th, 2018

SALISBURY – City officials and allied agencies were briefed this morning by the Maryland Emergency Management Agency in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Florence. It was the third (3rd) such briefing since Governor Hogan’s declaration of a State of Emergency for Maryland. Officials also teleconferenced with the National Weather Service in Wakefield, Virginia, who advised the following:

• As of Tuesday morning, the storm is tracking farther to our South than was earlier anticipated. As a result, our forecast has improved, with the City of Salisbury and Wicomico County seeing only a 5% or less chance of winds in excess of 75mph.
• As of 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 11th, the City can expect to see an estimated 2 to 6 inches (2”-6”) of rain from the outer bands of Hurricane Florence.

We anticipate that Florence will primarily be a rain event for Salisbury. Inland areas of the Peninsula may see some degree of freshwater and/or tidal flooding associated with higher amounts of precipitation. The degree to which this may occur in Salisbury will become clearer as the week progresses, and is being monitored very closely by City officials. Friday would likely be the earliest that inland areas would see such flooding.

Another weather briefing will take place on Wednesday morning at 11:30. City officials will meet with the Mayor immediately after to discuss the City’s operational readiness. In the meantime, citizens are urged to drive carefully, as the rain is expected to continue through the rest of the week. Updates will be forthcoming as the situation develops.

For more information, citizens may call 833-SBY-City (833-729-2489), or check the City’s website and social media accounts for updates as they become available.

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