UPDATE: Baltimore County Public Schools will dismiss three hours early on Wednesday.

Original story below…

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ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Wednesday made the following announcement regarding the state’s response to Tropical Depression Ida:

“This morning, I directed the Maryland Emergency Management Agency to raise its state activation level for Tropical Depression Ida. This will allow MEMA to coordinate an efficient statewide multi-agency response, and work in real time to address any local requests for assistance.

“With this major storm, there is the potential for significant amounts of rainfall that could lead to severe flash flooding and river flooding thereafter. Winds of 25-35 mph could lead to instances of downed trees and power outages. A tornado threat encompasses much of the state.

“I urge Marylanders to be prepared, take all necessary precautions, follow the local forecast, and heed any warnings from local authorities. We will continue to update residents on our response throughout the day.”

Residents are advised to:

• Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
• Heed all warnings and stay indoors during severe weather.
• Closely monitor updated weather forecasts and be sure to have a way to access local forecasts and warnings.
• Keep devices charged in case of power outages.
• Let friends or family know of your travel route and expected arrival time.
• Know who to contact in the case of a power outage. Emergency phone numbers for utility companies can be found here.
• Follow MEMA and your regional National Weather Service social media accounts for localized forecasts.

MEMA will continue to provide updates as they become available.