Agencies Prepare for Potential Severe Weather in Maryland

Emergency operations and first responders on standby as storm system approaches on Monday

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:38pm

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Local agencies and first responders in Maryland are preparing for a potentially severe weather system expected to hit the area on Monday. The Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management is fully activating the Emergency Operations Center, and teams from the fire department, forestry, and other departments are getting ready to respond to any weather-related incidents like downed trees or power lines. Residents are advised to take safety precautions like staying away from windows and having a plan in case of power outages.

Why it matters

Severe weather events can cause significant damage and disruptions, so it's crucial for local authorities to be proactive in their preparations to protect public safety. Maryland has experienced its share of intense storms in recent years, so this advance planning aims to mitigate the impact on communities.

The details

The Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management is fully activating the Emergency Operations Center on Monday afternoon in anticipation of the severe weather. Forestry teams, the fire department's special operations section, and other first responders are being mobilized to handle any downed trees, power lines, or other storm-related incidents. Residents are advised to stay away from any downed wires, which should be treated as live, and to take shelter in the middle of a building or home, avoiding windows and glass doors.

  • The severe weather system is expected to hit the Maryland area on Monday.

The players

Joey Henderson

The director of the Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management.

Doug Alexander

A representative from the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company in Carroll County, Maryland.

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What they’re saying

“We'll have our forestry team from Rec and Parks fully mobilized tomorrow. The Fire Department will be putting a heavy focus on their special operations section, just in case we get things like downed trees on top of things, or downed buildings based on high winds.”

— Joey Henderson, Director, Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management

“We're making a few preparations; we will have volunteer staffing in the station as much as possible so that we can get the apparatus right on the road. They'll be making sure things like fuel tanks are full, the water tanks on the engines are all full.”

— Doug Alexander, Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company

What’s next

The Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the weather situation and coordinate with first responders throughout Monday as the storm system moves through the area.

The takeaway

Proactive preparation by local authorities is crucial to protecting public safety during severe weather events. Residents should also be prepared with safety plans and be ready to take shelter if necessary, as downed power lines and other hazards can pose serious risks.