Maryland Department of Emergency Management Tests Evacuation Plans with Neighboring States

The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) recently conducted a multi-state tabletop exercise in Ocean City, Maryland, to refine evacuation coordination strategies in anticipation of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. The exercise, which took place just before the official start of the season on June 1, brought together representatives from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and local government officials from the Delmarva Peninsula and the Baltimore region. The primary goal of these collaborative efforts is to identify and address potential weaknesses in emergency preparedness and response plans before a real crisis occurs.

The hypothetical scenario presented during the exercise involved a Category 3 hurricane making a direct landfall on the Delmarva Peninsula. Although the specific circumstances of such a storm are considered unlikely, emergency management officials utilize extreme scenarios to rigorously test response protocols and uncover critical gaps in planning and capabilities. The Atlantic hurricane season, a period of heightened vigilance for coastal communities, officially runs from June 1 through November 30 annually. Participants in the exercise engaged in detailed discussions regarding the logistical challenges and practical considerations of implementing protective actions, such as large-scale evacuations or the provision of sheltering options, while also assessing how various communities might respond to such an event. A key focus was also placed on reviewing the available resources within each participating community to identify and address any deficiencies.

Maryland officials emphasized the importance of this type of interagency planning and collaborative exercise, highlighting that it forms the foundational work of effective emergency management. The state also plans to host a functional exercise later in June. This subsequent exercise will involve the activation of the State Emergency Operations Center and will build upon the insights gained from the tabletop session. Leaders from both state and local government across the Delmarva region will participate, with the aim of evaluating the capabilities of critical sectors that could be affected by a major disaster. These sectors include transportation, public safety, public health and medical services, communication networks, and sheltering facilities. The functional exercise will also assess the potential need for additional services and resources to be deployed in the event of any service activations.

These comprehensive planning and exercise initiatives, including the plan updates and both the tabletop and functional exercises, have been made possible through funding from FEMA’s Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP). This competitive grant program is instrumental in the implementation of the National Preparedness System, providing crucial resources for developing core capabilities essential to national security and resilience. The RCPGP supports efforts to close existing capability gaps in areas such as housing and logistics, and supply chain management. Furthermore, it encourages the development of innovative regional solutions to complex issues related to catastrophic incidents and supports the expansion of ongoing regional preparedness efforts. This program is seen as vital for strengthening coordination among different agencies, identifying potential shortcomings in preparedness, and ultimately enhancing the ability to support communities effectively when emergencies arise.

Maryland residents are encouraged to take proactive steps to stay informed and prepared for potential emergencies. They can install the MdReady WebApp, a tool that provides immediate access to a wide range of emergency notifications and preparedness information for both residents and visitors. To access the WebApp, individuals can visit MdReady.maryland.gov and follow the on-screen prompts to easily add a shortcut to their mobile device’s home screen. Additionally, residents can sign up for local text alerts through the same platform. For further information and updates, the public is directed to visit the MDEM website at mdem.maryland.gov. The department also maintains an active presence on various social media platforms, including X (Twitter) at @MDMEMA, Facebook at facebook.com/MDMEMA, LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/maryland-department-of-emergency-management, Threads at @mdmema, and Bluesky at @mdmema.bsky.social.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Department of Emergency Management.

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