ReadyHoCo

Outreach Event Request

If you would like to request that the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) attend your outreach event, please fill out this outreach request form. Please submit this form at least three weeks in advance. We will do our best to attend, but our calendar does fill quickly!

Business Disaster Preparedness Workshop Series

Next Meeting Details Coming Soon

• Stay tuned for more details about the next Business Disaster Preparedness Workshop!

Upcoming 50+ Center Emergency Preparedness Presentations

Saturday, September 26th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM: Preparedness-Themed Bingo

• Harriet Tubman Cultural Center: 8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia, MD
• Calling all preparedness pros- and future ones! In honor of National Preparedness Month, OEM will be hosting a Preparedness-Themed Bingo. Come join us and test your emergency preparedness knowledge through a series of fun-filled bingo games! The only thing better than being prepared is winning while you're at it! Prizes will be available for all bingo winners! This event is free and open to all ages.
• Register for the Preparedness-Themed Bingo on September 26th

Upcoming Emergency Preparedness Tabling Events

Thursday, September 24th from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM: Emergency Preparedness Fair

• Community Ecology Institute: 8000 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, MD

Wednesday, September 30th from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM: OEM Outreach Table

• Glenwood 50+ Center: 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD

Wednesday, September 30th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM: Howard County Business Resource Expo

• 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD

Emergency and Non-Emergency Notifications

Weather alerts are available through a variety of mobile applications which can be found on the National Weather Service Enterprise Resources page. The County's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) also recommends that every home have a NOAA all hazards radio for personal alerting purposes.  Working with the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Emergency Alert System , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) created an "All Hazards" radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information. In conjunction with Federal, State, and Local Emergency Managers and other public officials, it also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or 911 Telephone outages). 

You can also follow Howard County Government on a variety of social media platforms, including Howard County Government Facebook and Howard County Government X, the County Executive Newsletter, and online at the Howard County Government website.  

Emergency messaging will be done through geographic targeting landlines and cell phones using a system known as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). This is for emergency messaging only, and requires no action to be taken on your part. IPAWS was created through a Presidential Executive Order, which required our nation to have “an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible and comprehensive system to alert and warn the American people in situations of war, terrorist attack, natural disaster or other hazards to public safety and well-being.”  

IPAWS only works on cell phones that have wireless emergency alerts (WEA) enabled, to confirm your WEA are enabled please check your service provider’s website (due to the many mobile operating systems in use there are too many options to post here).  You can also follow the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) on Howard County OEM Facebook, and Howard County OEM X.

Understanding HoCo Hazards

Preparedness begins with understanding your local hazards. A hazard is any potential source of harm or difficulty and may be natural or human-caused. High-risk hazards have a high likelihood of local occurrence and may result in serious consequences to life safety, property, critical infrastructure, the environment, and the economy.

Risk = Likelihood + Consequence

For detailed information on hazard risk in Howard County please visit our Hazard Information Page. 

Transportation Websites

Maryland Department of Transportation CHART - The CHART program is Maryland's entry into the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) arena. Provides real-time traffic maps, and traffic cameras.

Weather Websites

• The National Weather Service's Sterling Office website has forecasts and information on weather safety for the Howard County area.
• The National Hurricane Center offers maps and discussions of hurricane/tropical storm activity.  
• The Storm Prediction Center offers maps and discussions of  severe thunderstorms and tornado forecasts.  

Health Preparedness Websites

• Howard County Health Department Preparedness Information
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website has preparedness information and resources to stay healthy. 
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website has information about preventing the flu, and caring for those that have it. 
• Maryland's Department of Health's Office of Preparedness and Response.

CAREAPP

CAREAPP is a Howard County Health Department program that connects County residents to community programs and services, including resources for food, health, housing, transportation, education, employment assistance, and more.