Whereas
Each year, floods in the United States kill more people and destroy more property than any other natural hazard. Queen Anne’s County residents may become injured, or their property suffer from damage due to severe flooding, especially during the spring and summer months: and
Whereas
The finding of the Fourth National Climate Assessment indicated that the frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation events across the Northeast United States have increased since the beginning of the last century; and that this trend is projected to continue; and, that in Maryland, scientists and meteorologists have observed a five to ten percent increase in in precipitation from 1958 to 2015; and
Whereas
Since circa 1970 there has been an increase in Atlantic hurricane activity; and the 2021 hurricane season was the third most active season on record and produced 21 named storms; it was also the second season in a row after 2020 and third overall in which the designated 21-name list of storm names was exhausted; and
Whereas
The number of intense storms is predicted to increase; and, recent sea-level rise projection from Maryland range from “likely” probability of 0.4 to 0.9 to a one percent probability of 2.3 feet by 2050 depending on emissions impacts; and, that sea level rise will flood dry areas, particularly on the Eastern Shore where Queen Anne’s County is located, increasing the depth of flooding, shifting, regulatory floodplains further inland, and extending the reach of storm surges generated by coastal storms; and
Whereas
Many County residents are at risk, and may be unaware of these changes and be uninsured or underinsured against flood hazards; and
Whereas
Spring and summer weather with increasing incidents of nuisance flooding requires residents of the Eastern Shore and Queen Anne’s County to take extra precautions to ensure being safe at home during severe weather or while traveling, which includes always being up-to-date on weather forecasts and having an emergency kit at home and in their vehicles; and
Whereas
The Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County join the Queen Anne’s County Department of Emergency Services, Department of Planning and Zoning, and the Department of Public Works to encourage all County residents to learn more about the different flood hazards faced by individuals and communities across the State, and to provide information on what County residents can do to protect themselves, their property and possessions, their finances, and communities from flooding and severe weather.
Now therefore we, the County Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County, do herby proclaim April 2022 Flood Awareness Month in Queen Anne’s County