Could Tropical Storm Sandy – due to swerve inland tomorrow, bringing high wind and buckets of rain – turn your basement into a lake?

Along with the toilet paper, flashlight batteries and food you’ve stocked up on already, Brew readers, you might want to clear the leaves and gunk from your storm drains and round up a few other items you may not have considered.

Learn from our mistakes via this cautionary tale from a previous storm, which will underscore the value of vigilant drain-maintenance – plus a good plunger, “hardware cloth” and a device called “the Drain King.”

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Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake sent an email yesterday with a warning and some useful information and links for Baltimore residents.

“Baltimore always hopes for the best and plans for the worst,” the email quotes her saying. “This storm has the potential for Isabel-like storm surge, and I want to make sure our residents and businesses have an opportunity to prepare for possible flooding.”

According to the email, sandbags were available yesterday (and should be again today) at:

– The Broadway Pier (south of Thames Street in Fells Point).

– The parking lot at 1401 Thames Street (on the water side of Thames, at the foot of Caroline in Harbor East)

– At Rash Field on the south side of the Inner Harbor.

Also from that email:

Residents should prepare for a severe weather event with these three essentials first:

• A battery-powered radio with extra batteries. If the power goes out, a battery-powered radio may be the only way to receive information.
• Flashlights or battery-powered lanterns with extra batteries. These are essential, even during relatively brief power outages. Don’t use candles! They pose a serious fire risk.
• Enough water to last three days. That’s at least one gallon per person, per day for drinking and sanitation.

 

Planning Ahead:

• City residents with special medical needs, prescription drug needs, or important medical appointments should plan ahead now and make arrangements that may be needed in the event of severe weather, prolonged power outages, and possible flooding.
• City residents are also encouraged to clear any debris from neighborhood storm drains to ensure proper drainage and prevent flooding.
• To protect your food during a power outage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Food will stay frozen for 36 hours or more in a fully-loaded freezer if you keep the door closed. Residents are also advised to stock up on non-perishable items.

For more information on preparedness, visit:

http://emergency.baltimorecity.gov/Preparedness.aspx

For forecast models and storm tracking, visit:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Citizens are also reminded they can call 311 for the latest information about the City’s preparations during weather events.