TORNADO UPDATE

As you may know, this tornado is unprecedented. While it rocked our Ward, it did not rock our resolve.  Residents have continued to reiterate, and as I have continued to reiterate to every news media outlet and everyone that I meet:  No loss of life and really no injuries, can only be described as "A MIRACLE". This is just an overall update on our extremely and unprecedented rapid response tornado efforts.

God Bless, and Love,

Rhonda

UPDATES:

POWER - While many residents were anticipating that our power would be out for 4-5 days, power was restored to the Annapolis Gardens residents by 11 p.m. on Wednesday evening--within 9 hours of the tornado touching down. Power was restored to a large number of Ward 3 residents by 6 p.m. on Thursday evening--within 28 hours of the tornado touching down. Power was restored to the Admiral Oaks residents by 12 noon on Friday--within 48 hours of the tornado touching down. The quick response of BGE and their crews who worked magnificently.

RESOURCES - Food was delivered to many residents on Wednesday evening, September 1, courtesy of Feed Anne Arundel and our many fine Annapolis restaurants, and these food outreach efforts have been on-going and consistent.  And thank you to our local Chick-fil-A for their food outreach efforts as well.

An extensive Community Resource Center was opened, in less than 24 hours of the tornado touching down, at the Mt. Olive Community Life Center on Thursday, from 2-8 p.m., and it has continued on a daily basis.  Services provided/represented have been from: 

• City of Annapolis
  • Mayor's Office;
  • Planning & Zoning;
  • Public Works;
  • Office of Emergency Management;
  • Office of Economic Development
• Anne Arundel County
  • Crisis Response Team
  • Department of Aging
  • Anne Arundel County Public Schools
• State of Maryland
  • Department of Social Services
  • Office of Emergency Management
  • Maryland Insurance Administration
• Nonprofits
  • Red Cross
  • Maryland VOAD
  • Center of Help

A mechanism to accept donations was set up, within 36 hours of the tornado touching down, through Blessed in Tech Ministries, see the City's website. 

SHELTER - A shelter arrangement was in place for displaced families at local hotels by the evening of Wednesday, September 1; and at a fully equipped City owned facility by Friday, September 3 when these residents were scheduled to check out of the hotels due to prior bookings as a result of the holiday weekend. 

CLEAN-UP - Extensive clean-up efforts on Sunday, September 5, in our Annapolis Gardens community, accompanied by many residents, families, friends, former residents, and St. Philip's Episcopal Church, were awesome. 

Extensive clean-up efforts in our Parole community on Sunday, September 5, with at least 70 volunteers, accompanied by many residents--near and far, families, friends, former residents, and elected officials, were awesome. 

Our Fairfax Road residents likewise have been very hard at work with their clean-up efforts.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works has deployed dumpsters for county residents to dispose of storm debris. Residents are asked to limit the use of these dumpsters to storm-related debris only:

• Drew & Vincent Streets - Mid-block
• Dominoe Road, 100 block/1900 block

Stay tuned for more updates.

Thank you for being the best residents and businesses.

ANNAPOLIS TORNADO

TOWN HALL MEETING - SEPT 8TH

The City of Annapolis will host a Town Hall Meeting with targeted resource breakout sessions so that residents can ask questions and seek assistance in the aftermath of the Annapolis Tornado. The event will be held in the community center at Mt. Olive Community Life Center, 2 Hicks Avenue, Annapolis on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 with Resource Center opening at 5 p.m. and the Town Hall beginning at 6 p.m. 

The format will begin with a general briefing, where officials will give an overview and situation summary. From there, breakout sessions will convene separately with resources targeted to renters, homeowners and businesses. For updated resources, visit www.annapolis.gov/1832/Tornado-Response. 

The public is invited to attend this meeting, portions of which will be recorded for broadcast on the City of Annapolis Youtube.com channel. Transportation will be provided to residents with a pick up at 5 p.m. at the Community Center in  Admiral Oaks and 5:30 p.m. at the Community Center in Annapolis Gardens. For transportation to and from the event from other locations, please contact 410-260-2211. 

ANNAPOLIS TORNADO

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT DASHBOARD

Department of Planning and Zoning building inspectors have determined there are 38 people displaced with 3 buildings destroyed, 24 condemned buildings, 26 structures with major damage, and 49 buildings with minor damage. Those numbers are expected to rise as inspectors continue their work on Thursday. 

USPS MAIL UPDATE

HOSPITALITY HIRING EVENT

Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) and Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) are teaming up once again to help hospitality industry employers connect with qualified workers during a complimentary in-person hiring event at the Crowne Plaza Annapolis at 173 Jennifer Road on Wednesday, September 29, from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

Job seekers can visit www.ApplyAnneArundel.com to access a list of hospitality industry job openings in Anne Arundel County. In addition to featuring a Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality job board, the VAAAC site will include a link job seekers can use to register for the 9:00 a.m. to noon in-person hiring event

at Crowne Plaza Annapolis.
Hospitality industry employers who would like to participate in the hiring event are invited to email Scott Wallace, AAWDC’s Business Solutions Manager, at swallace@aawdc.org. There is no charge for businesses to participate.

DID YOU KNOW?

 West Street was reopened on Thursday night, September 2, by 11 p.m.--within 9 hours of the tornado touching down.

#AnnapolisTornado

Remember...

Rhonda’s Public Safety “Mantra”:

Rhonda Pindell Charles, Esq. Alderwoman/Councilwoman, Ward 3, Annapolis, MD City Council AND Chair, Public Safety Standing Committee, Annapolis City Council--Police, Fire (including EMS/Paramedics), and the Office of Emergency Management

By law, the Public Safety Committee shall consider matters affecting public safety in the City. The Public Safety Committee shall review all proposed amendments to Title 11 (Public Peace, Morals and Welfare) and Title 12 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the City Code. First and foremost: The public’s safety is paramount. Moreover, as this legal obligation relates to the community’s residents, businesses, and visitors, the public’s safety, including the public’s peace, morals, and welfare, is best assured when its residents are: 1 - healthy; 2 - informed (i.e., educated); 3 - meaningfully engaged in the enhancement of our professional and volunteer workforce; 4 - good money managers of their finances; 5 - residing in safe and affordable housing communities; 6 - mobile (i.e., easily able to access adequate and affordable transportation when needed); 7 - pursuing social, community, entertainment, the arts, historical, and recreational activities; 8 - as well as possibly choosing to enlighten themselves spiritually. Therefore, the Public Safety Committee is committed to working as “One Annapolis”—an Annapolis that values everyOne; and where "HEALTHY LIVING STARTS HERE.".

• City of Annapolis, Department of Planning & Zoning, Office of Economic Development, link for businesses: 

https://www.annapolis.gov/598/Economic-Development

• Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, link for businesses:

https://www.annearundelchamber.org