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Emergency Management & Public Safety During Flood Awareness Month
For the purpose of recognizing April as Maryland Flood Awareness Month and the City of Annapolis public safety experts' efforts each year, both personally and professionally, to protect our residents from flooding and other natural emergencies.
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CITY COUNCIL OF THE
City of Annapolis
Resolution 23-25
Introduced by: Alderwoman Pindell Charles
A RESOLUTION concerning
Emergency Management & Public Safety During Flood Awareness Month
FOR the purpose of recognizing April as Maryland Flood Awareness Month and the City of Annapolis public safety experts' efforts each year, both personally and professionally, to protect our residents from flooding and other natural emergencies.
WHEREAS, Flooding is recognized as the number one natural disaster in Maryland, leading to significant damage in both the coastal areas of Annapolis and even inland regions, primarily caused by hurricanes, flooding due to rainfall from extreme storms, storm surges in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and high tides:
§ Hurricane Isabel (2003): This event recorded the highest tide ever in Annapolis, measuring 7.16 feet above normal levels;
§ January 2024 Flooding: A storm resulted in over 2.23 inches of rain in some areas, accompanied by a 5.1-foot storm surge. This flooding marked the third-worst event in the city's history, with 17 flooded businesses declared "unfit for human habitation." Hurricane Connie in 1955 had a storm surge of 4.98 feet, which is still considered the second most damaging flood in Annapolis;
§ Tropical Storm Debby (2024): In August 2024, Tropical Storm Debby led to significant flooding, with water levels reaching 4.4 feet above normal at City Dock; and
WHEREAS, Flooding is the costliest natural disaster in Maryland, as reported by the Maryland Resiliency Partnership:
61,255 flood insurance policies issued in the state;
$15.5 billion in total flood insurance coverage;
20,280 total number of claims filed;
$326 million in total flood claims paid throughout the state;
25% of flood insurance claims originate from moderate-to-low-risk areas, where just one inch of floodwater can potentially cause up to $25,000 in damage, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2024; and
WHEREAS, April is Maryland Flood Awareness Month, and Annapolis public safety professionals -- Office of Emergency Management, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and 911 dispatchers -- play a vital role in our communities, working tirelessly to keep us safe; and
WHEREAS, Annapolis public safety professionals provide vision, direction, and subject matter expertise to coordinate and manage all-hazards emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts and, in particular, during Spring rains, dealing with flooding in Historic Annapolis and providing notices of road closures; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of emergency personnel is essential;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Annapolis City Council does hereby recognize Maryland Flood Awareness Month throughout April and expresses its deepest gratitude to all public safety professionals for their unwavering dedication to our safety and well-being.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Annapolis City Council encourages all citizens to join in recognizing the outstanding service of our public safety professionals.
AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this resolution shall take effect upon passage.