Annapolis High School Opens Early as Shelter for Annapolis Residents

Annapolis - County Executive Leopold has opened Annapolis High School as an emergency shelter for residents who need to evacuate in anticipation of Hurricane Irene.

"We are strongly encouraging citizens who live in low-lying areas such as Deale, Shady Side and Bayside Beach to evacuate for their safety," County Executive Leopold said. "As a precaution, we are also providing transportation for emergencies from the Deale, Lothian and Shady Side fire stations to the shelter."

The shelter at Annapolis High School is equipped with a backup generator and stocked with 120 cots, with an additional 140 cots on standby. It will be open for at least 24 hours as the storm passes through. The shelter also has space for citizens to bring their pets. Please bring supplies for them, such as medications and food.

The National Weather Service is anticipating the height of the storm to hit our area around 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Irene is a Category I hurricane moving northward over the Outer Banks of North Carolina with winds between 40 and 50 mph with gusts of 50 to 75 mph. The storm is expected to pass Virginia Beach at 8 p.m. tonight and Atlantic City by 8 a.m. Sunday. Tidal surges of 3 to 6 feet are expected.

Baltimore Gas & Electric is anticipating power outages. During Hurricane Isabel in 2003, 196,000 of 230,000 customers in Anne Arundel County were without power. To contact BGE, call 410-685-0123.

Volunteers are fielding non-emergency calls at the Emergency Operations Center in Glen Burnie, which will activate at 6 p.m. You can reach the EOC at 410-222-0600.

The Office of Emergency Management has been broadcasting Code Red messages to thousands of residents. These calls advising people to seek higher ground are NOT a hoax. Please also be advised that Annapolis High School is the only official shelter in the County. Southern Middle School is NOT opened as a shelter.