During severe winter weather events, the primary concern is the potential loss of heat, power, telephone service or a shortage of supplies if storm or weather conditions continue for more than one day. Residents should have the following items available:
Flashlight and extra batteries
Battery-operated NOAA weather radio and portable radio to receive emergency information; these may be your only links to the outside
Extra food and water; high-energy food and food requiring no cooking or refrigeration is best
Emergency heating source (fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc.)
Fire extinguisher and smoke detector
Residents are urged to stay off the roads during and immediately after a winter weather event.
If travel or outside activity is required:
Keep warm and dry. Dress in layers to help trap heat and keep the body warm. Change out of wet clothing immediately.
Watch for frostbite. Symptoms include loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.
Watch for hypothermia. Symptoms include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms are detected, get the victim to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body first, and give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious. Get medical help immediately.
Additional safety items include:
Stay off ice, including frozen bodies of water. No ice is safe 100% safe to walk on. It can be difficult to determine the thickness of ice, and the thickness is rarely uniform.
Ensure heating sources are used responsibly to prevent the risk of harmful side effects, including burns and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Consider family members or neighbors with special needs and assist them in preparing for the winter weather.
Animal Safety Alerts
Whenever a weather alert is issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for Calvert County, the Department of Public Safety may issue an animal safety alert advising the public of appropriate animal safety precautions, in accordance with Calvert County Code § 7-6-103: Abuse; neglect. Find more information on our animal services website.
Warming Centers
County community centers and library locations throughout the county are available during regular operating hours for people who need a warm, dry place to take temporary refuge from the cold. Residents who need transportation to a warming center outside of regular public transportation operating hours should call the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 410-535-2800 to request transportation assistance. For medical emergencies, including signs of hypothermia, call 911.
Calvert Library Prince Frederick 850 Costley Way, Prince Frederick 410-535-0291
Harriet E. Brown Community Center 901 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick 410-535-7080
Northeast Community Center 4075 Gordon Stinnett Ave., Chesapeake Beach 410-257-2554
Mt. Hope Community Center 104 Pushaw Station Road, Sunderland 410-257-6770
Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center 130 Auto Dr., Prince Frederick 410-414-8350