Flood Evacuees Directed To Perryville Firehouse: Cecil County

CECIL COUNTY, MD — Port Deposit and Perryville issued voluntary evacuation notices on Thursday, as the gates of the Conowingo Dam opened and officials anticipated flooding downstream. There is a refuge for flood evacuees in Perryville.

Those in need of shelter or assistance related to potential flooding from the Conowingo Dam should report to Minker Hall at the Community Fire Company of Perryville, officials advised Thursday evening.

The Bainbridge Elementary School Evacuation Center, which was open earlier Thursday, has closed because it was not being utilized, the Cecil County Department of Emergency Services reported.

The Perryville evacuation center is located at 920 Principio Furnace Road in Perryville, and officials said that personnel will be there to provide services for those in need of shelter or assistance.

In issuing a voluntary evacuation notice Thursday afternoon, Perryville Mayor Robert Ashby Jr. advised waterfront residents to move their vehicles to higher ground.

In particular, Ashby said the west side of Roundhouse Drive may be impacted by the rising water levels and so would the area from Sam's Marina on Frenchtown Road to Rodgers Tavern on Broad Street.

Those without transportation are advised to call 443-252-6321 and ask for a Perryville officer to provide a shuttle to the evacuation center, which is at Minker Hall at the Perryville firehouse at 920 Principio Furnace Road. The center there opened at 8 p.m. Thursday.

State agencies have been deployed to assist those in Cecil and Harford counties, the governor reported Thursday evening.

"Maryland state agencies are actively engaged and working around the clock to provide any support needed to Port Deposit and the areas surrounding the Conowingo Dam,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement.

“I urge all local residents to put safety first and heed all warnings from local officials," Hogan said. "Our administration is committed to doing all that we can to ensure Marylanders remain safe and impacted communities are able to recover from this severe weather."
Detours are in effect as of Thursday evening:

• MD 222 is closed between US 1 and MD 276/Jacob Tome Memorial Highway.
• The suggested detour is US 1 to MD 276 to MD 275 to MD 222.

The State Highway Administration has dump trucks, signs, blockades and a plow truck to assist with debris pick-up in the area.

Read more about what the state is doing in response to potential Conowingo Dam flooding.

See the latest updates from Cecil County Department of Emergency Services.

Get news alerts from Perryville Patch, and follow Perryville Patch on Facebook.

SEE ALSO:

• Voluntary Evacuation In Port Deposit Announced
• Conowingo Dam Gates Open After Heavy Rain

PREVIOUS REPORT: Bainbridge Elementary School is opening as a voluntary evacuation site for those concerned about flooding from the Conowingo Dam. The school will be available for those seeking refuge Thursday evening, according to the Cecil County Department of Emergency Services.

Officials said the Red Cross, Cecil County Health Department and social services personnel would be available at Bainbridge Elementary School at 41 Preston Drive in Port Deposit to assist evacuees.

There were 20 spill gates open as of 4:30 p.m. at the Conowingo Dam, which was operating under spill conditions.

By 8:30 p.m., there may be 18 to 25 spill gates open, and officials said that the crest was expected at 2 a.m. Friday.

Artesian Water customers in Port Deposit are asked to limit their water use as a precaution, to ensure there is water available for firefighting and other essential purposes during the flood emergency.

State agencies have been deployed to assist those in Cecil and Harford counties, the governor reported Thursday evening.

"Maryland state agencies are actively engaged and working around the clock to provide any support needed to Port Deposit and the areas surrounding the Conowingo Dam,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement.

“I urge all local residents to put safety first and heed all warnings from local officials," Hogan said. "Our administration is committed to doing all that we can to ensure Marylanders remain safe and impacted communities are able to recover from this severe weather."

Detours are in effect as of Thursday evening:

• MD 222 is closed between US 1 and MD 276/Jacob Tome Memorial Highway.
• The suggested detour is US 1 to MD 276 to MD 275 to MD 222.

The State Highway Administration has dump trucks, signs, blockades and a plow truck to assist with debris pick-up in the area.

Read more about what the state is doing in response to potential Conowingo Dam flooding.

See the latest updates from Cecil County Department of Emergency Services.

Get news alerts from Perryville Patch, and follow Perryville Patch on Facebook.

File photo of Perryville firehouse by Elizabeth Janney. Photo of Bainbridge Elementary courtesy of Cecil County Public Schools.