LEONARDTOWN, Md. — St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services issued its annual winter readiness advisory December 2, 2025, calling on residents to build emergency kits, review family plans, and prepare homes and vehicles before the first major cold snap or snow event.
Winter storms and prolonged freezing temperatures can trigger frozen pipes, water main breaks, vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, power outages, heating failures, and hypothermia, officials said.
“Knowing what to do before, during, and after an emergency is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count,” the department stated.
Recommended home emergency kits should contain flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, warm clothing, a battery-powered radio, non-perishable food, and at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day for several days.
Vehicle kits need jumper cables, a bag of sand or cat litter for traction, a first-aid kit, and a full fuel tank to prevent fuel-line freeze-ups common along rural routes such as Three Notch Road and Point Lookout Road.
Residents are asked to locate main shut-off valves for water, gas, and electricity and ensure a trusted neighbor or family member knows how to operate them if pipes threaten to burst — a frequent issue in older homes around Charlotte Hall and Mechanicsville.
Officials emphasized checking on elderly neighbors and those with functional needs, especially in isolated areas near the Patuxent River and St. Mary’s River shoreline where response times can lengthen during ice events.
Pet owners should bring animals indoors when temperatures drop below freezing.
Generator Safety Rules Highlighted
With power outages common during coastal nor’easters and ice storms that down lines along Route 235, the department repeated strict generator guidelines:
- Place generators at least 20 feet from any structure
- Never run them inside homes, garages, basements, or enclosed porches
- Maintain three feet of clearance on all sides and above for ventilation
- Keep units dry and never refuel while running
- Install and test carbon monoxide detectors outside sleeping areas and on every level
Carbon monoxide poisoning remains the leading cause of generator-related deaths nationwide. St. Mary’s County recorded three non-fatal CO incidents tied to improper generator use during the February 2024 ice storm.
Family communication plans and identification of warm public shelters — typically opened at local schools and recreation centers — round out the county’s recommendations.
Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, and Great Mills residents can find complete checklists and shelter locations at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/prepare, www.stmaryscountymd.gov/kit, and www.stmaryscountymd.gov/plan.
The county’s 118,000 residents spread across 357 square miles often face delayed plowing on secondary roads during significant snowfall. State Highway Administration crews prioritize primary routes first, while county crews handle most neighborhood streets.