Additional Hazard Resources
Dorchester County
Department of Emergency Services
Website
The Department of Emergency Services website provides information on Weather Preparedness and Flooding Information.
Flood Related Resources
Do You Know Your Flood Risk
Know your property’s flood risk. To find your community’s flood map, visit the Flood Risk Applications and search using your property’s address.
Climate Ready Action Boundary (CRAB)
Maryland Coast Smart regulations that went into effect on September 1st, 2020 - now require State projects over $ 500,000 for construction or State funding to apply the corresponding horizontal limits of the higher 100-year + 3 feet inundation as indicated by the Coast Smart - Climate Ready Action Boundary (CS-CRAB).
The Coast Smart Climate Ready Action Boundary (CRAB) data is now available for viewing on https://mdfloodmaps.net/CRAB/.
The associated Coast Smart Construction Program document can be found at: https://dnr.maryland.gov/climateresilience/Documents/2020-Coast-Smart-Program-Document-FINAL.pdf.
MyCoast: Maryland
A project of the Chesapeake & Coastal Service & Maryland Department of Natural Resources, MyCoast: Maryland is a portal to collect and analyze pictures and data relating to flooding caused by precipitation or coastal events. Information collected through this site is used to visualize the impacts of flood events; to enhance awareness among decision-makers and residents of Maryland and to encourage action to reduce flood risks.
Visit the Apple or Android app store and download the MyCoast app on your phone prior to the meeting; if possible. The app is free and the web platform can be viewed at www.mycoast.org/md.
Other Hazard Resources
National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)
The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is a multi-agency partnership that coordinates drought monitoring, forecasting, planning, and information at national, tribal, state, and local levels. To learn more about drought conditions for Dorchester County, click here.
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) offers community learning through online seminars. UMCES offers opportunities to engage with our expert faculty online through these free public seminars. To register, click here.
Homeowner Hazard Preparedness Resources
Take steps to protect your home, family, and financial security throughout the year, and take extra precautions when flooding is predicted in your area.
The best way to protect your home and belongings from flood damage is to purchase flood insurance – don’t let your hard work be washed away.
Here are a few steps you and your family can take to be ready for flooding:
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Get flood insurance.
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Know your flood risk.
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Take a household inventory.
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Store important documents.
What to do Before a Flood
National Flood Insurance Program
Visit the NFIP website for more information on why flood insurance is should be purchased and how to purchase flood insurance.
Additional Ways to Protect Your Home
Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards
Resources for policyholders living in manufactured (mobile) home
Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage
Information on protecting critical utilities, like water heaters and HVAC systems, from flood damage.
Reducing Flood Risk to Residential Buildings that Cannot be Elevated
Mitigation options for homes that cannot be elevated.
Preparedness Resources for Business
In an effort to ensure business owners are not only able to keep their businesses going after a disaster, but are also prepared for any hazard events, Ready.gov has developed "Ready Business Toolkits." The Ready Business Toolkits are hazard specific for hurricane, inland flooding, power outage, and severe wind/tornado. Below are links to each of the toolkits.
Ready.gov also provides information on business continuity planning. To learn more about developing a business continuity plan, click here.
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) informs business owners on how to prepare for emergencies as well as how to receive financial assistance after a disaster. SBA developed preparedness checklist for the following hazards:
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Hurricanes
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Winter Weather
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Earthquakes
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Tornadoes
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Wildfires
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Floods
To review SBA's resources and obtain the checklists, click below.
