Westminster, Maryland, Tuesday, April 6, 2021 – Today in Open Session, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners proclaimed, in coordination with the Maryland Resiliency Partnership and joining the State of Maryland and other local jurisdictions, that April 2021 is Flood Awareness Month and encouraged the citizens of Carroll County to increase their knowledge of how to protect themselves and their property from flooding.

Carroll County experienced severe weather in the past in the form of extreme rainfall, hurricane system events, or other events resulting in flooding in riverine and urban areas. This flooding caused damage and flood losses to homes and buildings in all areas whether they are high-risk special flood hazard areas or low to moderate risk flood zones. Residents can reduce the chances of loss of life and property damage when appropriate flood preparedness, control, and mitigation measures are taken before a flood.

Carroll County is a voluntary participant in the National Flood Insurance Program that provides residents with the opportunity to protect themselves against flood loss through the purchase of flood insurance at reduced insurance premium rates as well as setting higher regulatory standards to reduce the flood risk and potential flood damage to their property. Residents interested in learning more should visit the county’s website.

Public education and awareness of potential weather hazards and methods of protection are critical to the health, safety and welfare of residents. As part of declaring the month of April 2021 as Flood Awareness Month, the county will run a social media campaign promoting awareness and increasing knowledge of flood risk, the availability of flood insurance, flood protection methods, and how to prepare for emergencies. Each week will be a different theme addressing preparedness or a flood hazard, including:

April 1 – 3: Preparedness - Individuals preparing for the impacts of flooding April 4 – 10: Too Much Rain, Part 1 - Riverine flooding and flooding outside the regulatory floodplain April 11 – 17: A local view – Storms that have impacted Carroll County April 18 – 24: Too Much Rain, Part 2 - Urban and flash flooding, dam break, and flooding outside the regulatory floodplain April 25 - 30: Communities - Communities preparing for the impacts of flooding

Open session is available for viewing on the county meeting portal and the county YouTube channel. In addition, all meetings will be replayed on Comcast Channel 24.