logo
Alert Day issued Tuesday for severe weather, flooding risk in Maryland

Alert Day issued Tuesday for severe weather, flooding risk in Maryland

CBS Newsa day ago
Tuesday is an Alert Day as severe weather is expected in Maryland.
A few light showers were reported Tuesday morning. Storms are expected to move through parts of the state around late morning into early afternoon.
Severe weather Tuesday in Maryland
Similar to Monday, the greatest concern today will be strong winds.
Maryland has a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather in the afternoon, compared to level 1 on Monday.
As a cold front moves eastward, storms will develop. Any storms could produce lightning.
The approaching front, along with high humidity, will help to increase the risk for stronger storms in the Baltimore area.
High levels of moisture in the atmosphere will also increase the flash flood risk today.
A Flood Watch will be in effect from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday. There's the potential for over 3" of rainfall.
Quiet midweek weather
Once the heaviest and strongest storms move out, a few showers will remain overnight into Wednesday.
Thursday will bring a low chance of showers. Overall, the weather will be much quieter once the midweek rain moves out.
Fourth of July weekend forecast
The Fourth of July weekend is looking great.
We'll have typical early July heat and humidity with highs in the upper 80s to around 90°.
Sunshine will dominate the sky over Maryland through the day on Friday. The holiday weekend is looking nice with a mainly dry forecast for both Saturday and Sunday.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Home insurance tips for weather-proofing your home
Home insurance tips for weather-proofing your home

CBS News

time13 minutes ago

  • CBS News

Home insurance tips for weather-proofing your home

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Weather-proofing your home could help protect it from damage while also helping to lower the cost of your home insurance year, there were a total of 27 weather and climate disasters in the United States with losses of more than $1 billion each, according to NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). These types of issues can be devastating to your finances, but home insurance coverage provides homeowners with valuable and often necessary protection from damages related to things like hail, hurricanes, fires, lightning and other perils listed in their policies. But while that insurance coverage can help protect your finances, those benefits also come at a cost. As extreme weather events become more common, many home insurance providers have hiked up rates or pulled out of certain areas. Over the past three years, home insurance premiums have increased by an average of 24%, according to the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). If you're a homeowner who's navigating higher home insurance costs, the good news is that there are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of filing a claim because of a weather event. While you don't have control over when and what happens with the weather, you can work on weather-proofing your home. Here's how to do that. Find out how affordable the right home insurance policy could be now. Home insurance tips for weather-proofing your home Weather-proofing will vary based on your region's specific threats, but wind and hail are common weather events. In fact, every year, about one in 35 insured homes has a property damage claim from these events, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The goal with weather-proofing homes is to add a layer of protection so you're less likely to file a claim, as doing so could increase home insurance costs. Some home insurance companies may even offer discounts for doing so. Here are some of the top ways you can weather-proof your home: Keep up with roof maintenance Your roof plays a crucial role in protecting your home during severe weather. Having a sturdy roof can help lower the risk of potential storm damage. The last thing you want is a pesky leak or a damaged roof that affects the structure of your home. Replacing an older roof with a new one is one of the best ways to weather-proof your home, Brent Thurman, president of Keystone Insurance, says. "Many insurance carriers will give substantial discounts for this, knowing that the probability of a roof claim is greatly diminished," says Thurman. Buying a new roof can be costly, though, so if it's not a necessity yet, there are other ways to strengthen your roof. Fortifying your roof or getting a new one can reduce the likelihood of damage and may help you qualify for home insurance discounts. "Some of the standard approaches that homeowners take are using roof tie downs," says Mark Friedlander, senior director of media relations at the Insurance Information Institute, a national nonprofit research and education organization. "So you don't necessarily have to replace the roof, but you're just fortifying the roof system," adds Friedlander. Compare your home insurance coverage options to find the right ones for you. Consider storm shutters Depending on where you live, you might consider purchasing storm shutters as an extra layer of protection. Also referred to as hurricane shutters, these types of shutters help safeguard windows and doors from extraneous debris during storms and can help keep you and your belongings safe as well. These benefits may lower the likelihood of filing a claim. "Common ways to mitigate risk against wind include a wind radar, garage door and storm shutters, especially in the hurricane [prone] states. They have storm shutters, and not only will it make your home more resilient to these weather events, but it could potentially generate savings," says Friedlander. These benefits may lower the likelihood of filing a claim. And, in New York state, home insurance companies must offer discounts if policyholders install storm shutters that meet certain specifications, according to the Department of Financial Services. Seal gaps in windows and doors It's essential to keep your home protected from the elements during severe weather events. When weather-proofing your home, you want to close any gaps in windows and doors that could let water or wind in and damage your home. Plus, these steps can make your home more energy efficient as well. Friedlander suggests "weather stripping and caulking to seal gaps around windows, doors, and other openings that prevent air leaks and drafts, adding insulation to attics, walls and crawl spaces can significantly reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer." Remove outside debris As the seasons change, the area around your home can be full of debris that could damage your home in more ways than one. "We also encourage clients to remove leaves and other debris to prevent ice damming, potentially hurting their shingles or allowing water into their attics, which can damage their ceilings and walls," says Jesse L. Kohlbecker, vice president of claims and client services at COUNTRY Financial. Clearing debris may also lower the risk of a fire breaking out. "Removing dead leaves, needles, twigs, and other debris that could easily ignite, removing low-hanging branches that can carry fire from the ground to taller vegetation," Friedlander says. Clean out your gutters Weather-proofing your home requires some maintenance, too. And, one of the best things you can do is regularly clean your gutters. "We encourage them [clients] to clean their gutters and keep their downspouts open to prevent water backups," says Kohlbecker. In a storm event, it's not just your roof that can be damaged — your gutters are at risk too, Kohlbecker says. If your gutters aren't working properly, water can back up, and if it does, it may damage your roof. Not only that, but it may also lead to a water leak, which can be fertile ground for mold growth and end up multiplying your problems. Taking proactive steps can help, though. "It's so important to have those annual inspections and make sure that you're comfortable and your home is in good condition in the event that you experience a storm," adds Kohlbecker. The bottom line As home insurance costs continue to rise and the weather becomes more unpredictable, weather-proofing your home is more important than ever, and following these home insurance tips and protocols may reduce the likelihood of a claim. In some cases, you may even qualify for a discount with your insurance company. If not, remember that you can shop around for policies to compare options and ensure you're getting a competitive rate and are taking advantage of the discounts you qualify for. It's also important to be aware of your home insurance limitations and what's not covered under your standard homeowners insurance policy. While home insurance policies cover many weather-related events, standard coverage typically doesn't include damage from earthquakes or certain types of floods. So, when comparing home insurance companies, check to ensure whether they offer optional coverage to cover these and the other additional risks that could impact you.

Hurricane center says system could develop slowly off Florida coast
Hurricane center says system could develop slowly off Florida coast

Miami Herald

time24 minutes ago

  • Miami Herald

Hurricane center says system could develop slowly off Florida coast

The National Hurricane Center continued Wednesday to keep track of a weather system that could form off one of Florida's coasts this weekend that could develop into the season's next tropical depression or storm. In its 8 a.m. tropical advisory, the NHC said an area of low pressure was forecast to develop either off of Florida's Gulf Coast or in the Atlantic along a weakening frontal boundary. "Environmental conditions appear only marginally conducive for some slow development, but a tropical or subtropical depression could form in this region over the weekend or early next week while the system moves little," forecasters said. "Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is possible across portions of the southeast U.S., particularly across the west-central Florida coast." The NHC gave it a 40% chance to develop in the next seven days. If it were to become strong enough, it could become Tropical Storm Chantal, the third named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season after Andrea and Barry. The National Weather Service in Melbourne expects higher rain chances across the region beginning Thursday whether the low pressure system develops or not as moisture piles up against the frontal boundary forming over North Florida. "Most areas are forecast to receive 1-4 inches of rainfall through the period (some much needed), but locations that receive locally high amounts multiple days in a row will become increasingly susceptible to flooding," forecasters said. Just when showers and storms would form is uncertain because of high coverage of clouds reducing the normal daytime heating effect that brings daily afternoon storms. "As the environment becomes broadly unstable, it`ll be easier for showers and storms to develop in the overnight and morning hours," forecasters said. Models vary in where the low pressure area will form, and just how slowly it may meander over the state. If its center is over the northeast Gulf near the Nature Coast, that would continue to draw moisture up over the Florida peninsula keeping rain chances very high for the state. Some models expect it to form just offshore of Jacksonville with drier air in North Florida, although still pulling moisture across South Florida. Some models expect the low to wander between the two coasts. "Ultimately rainfall looks to remain episodic, allowing areas that receive heavy rainfall time to recover and keeping the threat for flooding limited to spotsthat get repeated rounds over multiple days," forecasters said. Rain chances could continue to remain high through Sunday and into Monday depending on how the low pressure area meanders. This is the first tropical threat to the state this year. In 2024, Florida was struck by three hurricanes, all on the Gulf coast. Hurricane season runs from June 1-Nov. 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts 13 to 19 named storms this year, of which 6-10 will become hurricanes. Three to five of those would grow into major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher. ------------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store