As Tropical Storm Ophelia approached the Chesapeake Bay in late 2023, Somerset County, Maryland, along with the broader coastal region, braced for potential impact. Coast Guard leaders and local communities initiated proactive measures to safeguard residents and property. This included specific advisories and actions affecting school transportation and boat owners in Somerset County.
The Coast Guard Sector Virginia took early action by setting Port Condition Zulu, effectively closing the Port of Virginia to all vessel traffic. This measure extended throughout Virginia’s coastal waters, highlighting the severity of the impending storm. Following suit, Coast Guard Sector Maryland-Capital Region also implemented Port Condition Zulu, demonstrating a unified front in maritime safety across the Chesapeake Bay region.
For boaters, the Coast Guard issued urgent warnings, advising operators of pleasure craft to seek safe harbor immediately and to refrain from navigating waterways throughout the storm weekend. The advisory underscored the diminished capabilities of search and rescue operations under severe storm conditions, emphasizing the critical need for boaters to prioritize safety and avoid unnecessary risks. Owners of larger vessels were urged to relocate to inland marinas, while those with trailerable boats were strongly advised to remove them from the water entirely. Furthermore, boat owners were instructed to secure essential equipment such as EPIRBs, life rings, life jackets, and lifeboats to prevent them from breaking free and triggering false distress signals, which could divert crucial emergency resources.
In Somerset County, Maryland, authorities took decisive steps to protect vulnerable populations. Recognizing the potential dangers, Somerset County Commissioners and the Emergency Operations Center recommended a voluntary evacuation of Smith Island and other areas prone to flooding. Crucially, Somerset County proactively established emergency shelters at a high school and several fire departments on the mainland. To ensure the safety and accessibility of these shelters, Somerset County provided transportation for residents needing to evacuate, directly addressing the needs of communities like Smith Island where boat transportation is integral to daily life but becomes hazardous during storms. This transportation initiative likely involved utilizing school buses, a common resource in such emergency scenarios, to move residents from potentially dangerous areas to safer inland shelters. The coordinated effort to provide transportation reflects a comprehensive approach to community safety during the storm.
The impact of Ophelia extended beyond Somerset County. In Accomack County, Virginia, facing similar threats, schools proactively closed two hours early on Friday, prioritizing student safety and preempting potential transportation disruptions due to the storm’s arrival. Annapolis, Maryland, also took preventative measures by distributing tons of sand and providing sandbags to residents and businesses vulnerable to flooding. The Annapolis Harbormaster further assisted boat owners by making slips and mooring balls available for unsecured vessels, mirroring the broader maritime safety concerns across the Chesapeake Bay.
Throughout the Ophelia event in 2023, the focus on community safety, particularly in areas like Somerset County with unique transportation challenges involving both land and water, was evident. The proactive measures taken by local authorities, the Coast Guard, and state governments underscore the importance of preparedness and coordinated responses in mitigating the impact of tropical storms on coastal communities.
Coast Guard cutter underway in rough seas
