Md. Prepares As O'Malley Declares State Of Emergency Ahead Of Hurricane Sandy
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)-- Marylanders are bracing for the worst as Hurricane Sandy inches closer to the region.
Meghan McCorkell reports.
An emergency declaration has been issued in Baltimore City and across the region. Local leaders are urging everyone to get ready for a hard hit.
Shovel by shovel, people in Fells Point try to protect themselves from the wrath of Hurricane Sandy.
"You need to prepare to hunker down for a couple of days until this large violent deadly storm passes through our area.
Web Extra: Gov. Martin O'Malley Declares A State Of Emergency Ahead Of Hurricane Sandy
A state of emergency is now issued in Maryland. The National Guard is on standby mobilizing along the Eastern Shore. The Coast Guard is getting search and rescue crews ready. And Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) is mobilizing for a massive response.
"There is the real belief that this storm could indeed be worse than what we saw with Hurricane Isabel," Rob Gould, the vice president and director of communications at BGE, said.
The power company is bringing in 2,000 out-of-state crews to deal with potential outages.
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The hurricane could also create a travel nightmare.
At Baltimore-Washington International Airport, while the boards are looking good Friday night, airport officials warn that may not be the case early next week.
"With the scope of this storm, there could very well be flights canceled here at BWI Marshall as well as up and down the East Coast," Jonathan Dean, a BWI official, said.
Airport officials are warning travelers to be prepared.
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Preparation are also underway in Annapolis where rising waters could mean big damage.
Back in Baltimore, the city is giving out free sandbags to residents in low-lying areas.
"It makes it so much easier to weather a storm when the power goes out, if you have what you need," Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said.
And the time to get it is now before Sandy strikes.
Photo Gallery: Tracking Hurricane Sandy
The city has set up three sandbag sites-- one in Rash Field, one in Harbor East and the other in Fells Point.
The Baltimore City Emergency Operations Center will be activated Sunday morning.
