Lightning Do's and Don'ts. DO: Go inside when you hear thunder! Find a sturdy house, building, or car with a roof. Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after you last hear thunder. DON'T: Retreat to dugouts, sheds, pavilions, picnic shelters or other small structures. Use or touch electronics, outlets, corded phones or windows. Go under or near tall trees, swim or be near water, stand near metal objects.

It's the last day of Severe Storm Awareness Week, let's talk lightning ⚡️

Learn what to do, and what not to do, when it comes to lightning. weather.gov/safety/light...

#mdseverestormweek #MDReady

Hail can damage aircraft, homes and cars, and can be deadly to livestock and people. When hail is falling, head inside! If you are caught outside, make sure to protect your head until you are safely inside.

#mdseverestormweek

Image shows golf ball size hail on top of dried grass.

Day 4 of Maryland Severe Storm Week, let's talk hail.

Hail is precipitation that is formed when updrafts in thunderstorms carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere.

Severe Weather can escalate quickly. While the possibility of tornadoes can be forecast ahead of time, they can form in minutes, day or night. Will you be prepared? Set up a way to get weather warnings any time of day. When alerted to a tornado, quickly get to a storm shelter or basement. If underground shelter isn't available, get to an interior hall away from windows.

Tornadoes can form in minutes, day or night. Stay #WeatherReady by having a way to receive weather alerts any time of day. If you receive a Tornado Warning, get to shelter immediately. weather.gov/safety/tornado
#MDSevereStormWeek

You can still participate! If you were not able to tune into the live drill, you are encouraged to practice what you will do in the case a tornado warning is issued. Stay tuned for more safety tips later today as we continue MD Severe Storm Awareness Week! #mdseverestormweek

Did you participate in The Great Twister Test, Maryland? Show us below!

MDEM staff were participating in the office today, a huge thank you to Dr. Christy Collins and Andranese Carter of the 9-1-1 Board for helping coordinate our staff!

Navigating Strong Wind. Dangerous wind can arrive well before (or without) rain. Reduce speed and head to shore if alerted to high wind. Always wear a life jacket.

Wind can be dangerous when out on the water because strong winds can create large waves. If high winds are forecast, adjust your plans. weather.gov/safety/safeboating #WeatherReady
#MDSevereStormWeek

Once you're safely sheltered, snap a pic and share it to any social media with #MDTwisterTest and you may be featured statewide as an example of tornado preparedness!

The Great Maryland Twister Test 10:00 AM – 04.08.2026

At 10AM on April 8th (tomorrow), the @was.nws-bot.us will issue a special message announcing the drill across Maryland's alert systems. When it happens, follow the steps to good tornado safety - find your safe shelter, and get covered up.

#MDSevereStormWeek

Infographic - When the Wind Blows. Identify an interior room in your house or at work that you can take shelter in during high wind warnings (head inside immediately). If you are driving and aren't near a sturdy building, hold the steering wheel with both hands and slow down. Keep a distance from high profile vehicles (be careful on the road). High winds can create dangerous fallen or blowing objects (stay clear of hazards from above). Stay clear of trees. Beware of loose outdoor items.

Day 2 of Severe Storm Awareness Week is all about high winds! 🌬️
High winds can be dangerous! When driving, slow down and keep away from high-profile vehicles. Be aware of loose outdoor items and stay clear of trees. weather.gov/wind #WeatherReady
#mdseverestormweek

Never drive around barricades. Most flood fatalities occur in vehicles. You don't know how deep the water is. Even when the water recedes, the ground may be unstable.

NEVER drive around barricades into floodwaters! Most flood fatalities are vehicle-related. It takes only 12 inches of fast-moving water to carry off a small car and 18 inches of water to sweep a larger vehicle away. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown

April is Maryland Flood Awareness Month. Join the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE), Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM), the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) and other agencies for a virtual event showcasing flood preparedness and opportunities throughout the state. For more information and details about our upcoming events on Flood Awareness Month, visit: https://bit.ly/MDFloodMonth26 or scan the QR Code.

Did you know? April is Flood Awareness Month! 💧
MDEM and several other agencies across the state have several educational opportunities throughout the month available to the public. You can learn more here: bit.ly/MDFloodMonth26!
#mdseverestormweek #MDFloodMonth

Your safe place from flooding: during a flood, water levels and flow speed can quickly change. You are safest by staying indoors, or seeking higher ground if shelter isn't available. If you're stuck outside when a flash flood occurs, do not attempt to cross flood waters by vehicle or on foot.

Flood Prep: During a flood, water levels and the rate at which water is flowing can quickly change. You are safest staying indoors, or seeking higher ground if shelter isn’t available. Never cross flood waters by vehicle or on foot. weather.gov/safety/flood #MDSevereStormWeek

Preparing now is the best step you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your property from damage against these impacts. Stay tuned this week to learn about each weather impact and how you can prepare ahead of a storm. Learn more here: bit.ly/MDSSAW26

Image on Yellow background with red accents and white lettering with a transparent Maryland Flag in the back saying "April 6- 12 is Maryland Severe Storm Awareness Week Monday: Flooding Tuesday: Damaging Damaging Winds Wednesday: Tornadoes and The Great Twister Test Thursday: Hail Friday: Lightning" with the MDEM logo on the bottom

Welcome to Severe Storm Awareness Week, Maryland! We’ve already had some severe weather in March, and as any Marylander can tell you, severe weather can happen at any time. Each day this week, we will be sharing important safety tips for some of the most common severe weather we see in Maryland.

Picture of an aerial view of a baseball showing all bases and the outfield. Text on the image says “⚾ Happy Opening Day! ⚾ Who are you rooting for this season?” The image prompts responders to react to the post with the following: 👍Oriels; ♥️ Nationals; 🥰 Other (let us know in the comments)

Happy Opening Day, Maryland! While the O’s don’t hit the field at Camden Yards until tomorrow we’re getting ready to cheer them on for the baseball season. Who are you rooting for? Let us know!

A background of the Maryland flag with an image of the outline of the state in red. Image says “Happy Maryland Day!” The MDEM logo is in the center bottom of the image.

392 years ago today, in 1634, English settlers landed on Blackistone Island (now known as St. Clement’s Island) led by Leonard Calvert, who became the colony’s first governor. Today we celebrate our state’s rich history, from coast to mountains and everywhere in between.

Yellow panel that reads, "Marylanders now that it is *officially* Spring! (Just maybe don't put up the winter coats yet.)" with the MDEM logo. The panel next is of the actress Nicole Kidman in a celebratory image, taken after her divorce with actor Tom Cruise.

Happy first day of Spring, Maryland!🌸

We are certainly celebrating, but maybe not enough to put away all our our winter gear just yet.

Image features a red background over an image of a tornado. The text in yellow reads "What to do During a Tornado" Test below in white says "Go to a safe shelter immediately, Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls, Use your arms to protect your head and neck". Below there is the MDEM Logo

Image features a red background over an image of a tornado. The text in yellow reads "What to do During a Tornado - if you get caught while driving" Test below in white says "Do not go under and overpass or bridge, Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death, Stay in the car with the seatbelt on". Below there is the MDEM Logo

🌪️ Tornado Watches are in effect for portions of Maryland. Do you know how to stay safe? 🌪️

A tornado can happen anytime and anywhere, bringing intense winds, over 200 miles per hour, and look like funnels. Learn more safety tips here:https://bit.ly/MDReadyTornadoes

Image with red background and a steering wheel. The image says "Daylight Savings Safety: (zzz emoji) Don’t Drive Drowsy, (panic face emoji) Avoid Rushing, (light bulb emoji) Turn on Your Headlights, (snail emoji) Accommodate for Slower Reaction Times.” The bottom of the image has the MDEM logo.

Daylight savings time has started, and with that there can be additional hazards like reduced visibility during drive times and drowsy driving while adjusting to the time change. Plan ahead to avoid rushing and increase your following distance to accommodate for slower reaction times! #WeCare

Background shows spring flowers lying on blue painted wood planks. The foreground says, “ Daylight Savings Time Chore List:” and then lists with checks in front of each item: Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; change batteries if needed; Check expiration dates on food and medicine in emergency kits; Review your family emergency plan.”

Don’t forget to Spring Forward this Sunday (March 8)! This is also a great time to update your family emergency plans, check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (and replace your batteries if you need to), and to check any emergency food and other perishable supplies for expiration dates.

The Potomac River on a sunny day. News. Health officials provide update on recreational water advisories for counties impacted by Potomac Interceptor spill.

RELEASE: Charles & Prince George’s counties lift recreational water advisories. Montgomery County’s advisory remains until further notice. No advisory is needed for the Potomac River in St. Mary’s County.

Health, shellfish, fishing & boating guidance: bit.ly/3OJaPsv.

Image is on yellow background with splashes of color in the background. In the top left corner there are baskets hanging that are filled with pigmented chalk. The foreground says “Happy Holi, Maryland!” in red text. The MDEM logo is in the center bottom.

Wishing a joyous Holi to the Marylanders who celebrate! The “Festival of Colors” is traditionally celebrated to mark the beginning of spring and the triumph of good over evil. I think all of Maryland can agree that we are ready to welcome spring with open arms! #WeCare

Through placing these stations all across Maryland we can better understand the nuances of Maryland’s weather, informing and enhancing our ability to forecast and communicate hazards to our community. Learn more here: mesonet.umd.edu

The Maryland Mesonet partnership builds and maintains a system of hyper-local weather stations capable of real-time monitoring across the State.

Maryland Mesonet (a partnership between @univofmaryland.bsky.social - Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science and MDEM) is reporting snow totals across the state with the highest in Berlin, MD (Worcester County) at 22.2 inches!

Image says "Snow Shoveling Safety: ❄️ Dress Warmly in Layered Clothing ❄️ Wear Appropriate Footwear (Like Waterproof and Insulated Boots) to Prevent Slipping ❄️ Warm Up – Stretch Your Arms, Legs and Back – Before Starting ❄️ Take Frequent Breaks – Stop Immediately If You Feel Tired or Lightheaded ❄️ Know When To Stop – Especially If You Have a History of Heart Disease ❄️ Drink Plenty of Water ❄️ Protect Your Back – Bend at Your Knees and Lift With Your Legs" Image to the Right shows a person in boots, a jacket, and gloves shoveling snow out of a walkway

Good Morning, Maryland! As many Marylander's are waking up to snow, remember to stay safe when removing snow from walkways and driveways.

Image says "Press Release" with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management logo featured.

@govwesmoore.bsky.social has declared a State of Preparedness for the winter storm expected to move into the region beginning Sunday. Click here for more info: bit.ly/SOPFebWinter...

Image in the background is snow. In the foreground it says in red "Weather Alert. Blizzard warnings are in effect for the eastern shore and winter storm warnings and advisories are in effect for the rest of the state." The Maryland Department of Emergency Management logo is below.

Snow is coming, Maryland! Parts of the eastern shore are now under a blizzard warning, with the rest of the state under either a winter storm warning or watch. Get prepared now and make sure that you are stocked up on any essentials. (And try not to eat all of your snow snacks)

Image with yellow background. In the foreground in red lettering it says "Potomac Interceptor Update" with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management Logo below.

Maryland Department of the Environment Issues Update on Potomac Interceptor Support and Response - Maryland Supporting Regional Response to Potomac Interceptor Break Since January to Restore Service and Keep Our Waterways Protected

Read More Here: news.maryland.gov/mdem/2026/02...