Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster - COAD

03/16/2026

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Howard County through 7 p.m. tonight. Besides having a plan for where to seek shelter, be sure to charge your electronics in case of power outages. Also, take time to secure loose objects outside since there could be wind gusts between 70-80 mph.
Residents without shelter or living in mobile home communities can seek refuge at the Bain 50+ Center, the Glenwood 50+ Center and the North Laurel Community Center. Pets will be admitted.

WEATHER ALERT: The US National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington (NWS) has issued a TORNADO WATCH for Howard County, in effect until 7:00 p.m. this evening, March 16th.

Given today’s forecasted severe weather event, Howard County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is recommending that residents who reside in a mobile home or another structure that may not safely withstand high winds, consider relocating to a sturdier building before storms arrive. Currently, NWS anticipates a break in thunderstorms around noon before a line of storms moves through our area between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. OEM is also strongly encouraging residents avoid any travel during this period of time.

For residents who do not feel they can safely shelter at home during this time, the following County facilities will remain open until at least 8:00 p.m. this evening as refuge locations:
- Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) Bain 50+ Center at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way in Columbia;
- DCRS’s Glenwood 50+ Center and Howard County Recreation and Parks’ (DRP) Gary J. Arthur Center at 2400 MD 97 in Cooksville; and
- DCRS’s North Laurel 50+ Center and DRP’s North Laurel Community Center at 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road in Laurel.

PLEASE NOTE, these three locations are not full-service overnight emergency shelters, but will provide a safe indoor place to wait out the storm, along with water, showers, and charging stations.

If you plan to go to one of these three locations, please bring any medications, food, and water you will need for the day/evening and be prepared to remain there until the storms pass. If you have a service animal or pet that will join you at a refuge location, please bring your animal’s crate/carrier, leash, waste bags/litter box, food/water bowl, and enough food for the day. Handlers and owners will be responsible to stay with and care for their own animals at all times.

03/11/2026

Howard County is under a tornado watch through 8 p.m. tonight according to the National Weather Service. Check out these steps to stay safe during a twister!

US Dept of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Safety 1325 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 Comments? Questions? Please Contact Us.

02/21/2026

Winter isn't done with us yet! Howard County is under a winter storm warning from 3 p.m. Sunday until 10 a.m. Monday, with heavy snow expected. The National Weather Service warns that travel could be very difficult since roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Make sure you have food and emergency supplies on hand so you can avoid going out on the road during the storm. And just like during Winter Storm Fern last month, consider helping seniors and disabled neighbors who have difficult clearing their driveways and sidewalks.

02/07/2026

Are you a weather geek and passionate about recording and sharing storm data? Then check out the SKYWARN course being held Tuesday, February 17 from 6 - 8 PM at the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center in Marriottsville. The event will be hosted by the US National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington. SKYWARN is a volunteer program that provides training for amateur weather enthusiasts to assist the National Weather Service with severe weather observations. Volunteers are trained to spot and record storm data, which helps the National Weather Service provide ground-truth information to the community. This 2-hour course is FREE for interested volunteers. You must be at least 18 years old to become a SKYWARN spotter.
For more information, visit the NWS SKYWARN page: https://www.weather.gov/lwx/skywarn

The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington Weather Forecast Office will be hosting a Basics SKYWARN Class in Marriottsville, MD. The 2 hour training session will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 6 pm. The class will be held at the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center in Classr...

02/03/2026

Many of your neighbors, some elderly and disabled, are still struggling to clear their driveways or sidewalks. Please consider helping out if you have the time, the tools and the energy!

When winter storms, cold temperatures, or power outages impact our area, take some time to check on your neighbors, especially older adults. If you’re able to, lend a hand by helping shovel driveways or walkways and ensure they have supplies to stay safe and warm.

01/23/2026

With a serious winter storm headed our way Sunday, here are some steps to take to be prepared and stay safe.

- Make sure your home “Basic Disaster Supplies Kit” is fully stocked; for what to include, visit www.ready.gov/kit

- If you take prescription medications every day, make sure you refill them if you are running low.

- In the case of potential power outages, make sure you have flashlights and batteries handy and cell phones and necessary medical equipment are fully charged with backup charging devices available.

- If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your doctor or health care provider about what you may be able to do to keep it running during a power outage.

- You can also ask your power provider to put you on a list for priority power restoration; for MyBGEcustomers, see https://www.bge.com/.../assistance.../special-needs-programs and for Potomac Edison customers, see https://www.firstenergycorp.com/.../potomac_edison....

- If you are on dialysis or other life-sustaining medical treatment, know the location and availability of more than one facility that can help you.

- Create a support network of people – family, friends, neighbors, etc., who can help you in a disaster, such as checking in on your wellbeing, especially if elderly or disabled, and assisting with shoveling and more, if needed.

- Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.

- Make sure each of vehicle and/or vehicles all have a full tank of gas and that each is equipped with an emergency supply kit. Things to include are jumper cables, sand, ice scraper, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. To learn more, visit www.ready.gov/car.

- For more information about being prepared for winter weather, visit www.ready.gov/winter-weather

Finally, to ensure you are staying weather aware, make sure emergency alerts are activated on your mobile device (www.ready.gov/alerts) and you have subscribed to receive weather alerts through the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS)s website at www.weather.gov/enterprise/.

01/09/2026

Come participate in the 12th annual MLK Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Glen Mar Church, a COAD member. The event at 4701 New Cut Road in Ellicott City will provide service opportunities for all ages —grandparents, parents, young adults, and children. Planned activities include packaging meals, sewing pillowcases, decorating cookies, making ‘no-sew’ fleece hats and blankets, writing Valentine's cards to seniors, collecting non-perishable food and gently used clothing and more. Service hour forms will be available for students. All on-site participants will enjoy a free chili lunch. Go to the website below to register or find the latest event updates. If you have any questions, email [email protected].

Home Events MLK, Jr. Day of Service MLK, Jr. Day of Service Monday, January 19, 2026 8:30 am to 12:30 pm: Morning Session 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm: Afternoon Session 8:30 am to 4:30 pm: All-day Session Off-site Projects (various times) Sign Up to Come We will be collecting food, gently used clothes, and....

11/20/2025

Do you or someone you know need food for Thanksgiving? Then stop by the Holiday Food Distribution Saturday, Nov. 24, from 4:30 - 6 p.m. at the North Laurel Community Center. The event run by the Howard County Department of Community Resources & Services, a COAD member, will provide one basket per household. The address is 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road in Laurel.

10/31/2025

The Howard County Food Bank has extended its shopping hours. The facility at 9385 Gerwig Lane in Columbia will stay open late on Thursdays until 6:30 p.m. beginning November 6, 2025. Shopping hours are now as follows:

Tuesday 1 PM – 4 PM walk-ins
Wednesday 1 PM – 7 PM walk-ins
Thursday 1 PM – 6:30 PM walk-ins
Saturday 9 AM – 1 PM appointment only

Federal Employees: These employees without income may visit the Howard County Food Bank twice per month during the government shutdown. Proof of Howard County residency and a valid federal employee photo identification are required.

SNAP Cardholders: SNAP EBT recipients may also visit the Howard County Food Bank twice per month. SNAP cardholders must present their SNAP EBT card and proof of residence at each visit. CAC will offer temporary categorical eligibility for existing SNAP recipients while SNAP is suspended.

10/31/2025

Howard County is hosting a food drive Saturday, Nov. 1, to support families experiencing food insecurity. According to the Community Action Council, this weekend over 13,000 Howard County households, including 7000 children, are expected to lose SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown. So any nonperishable donations to help your neighbors during this time of need are greatly appreciated.

10/10/2025

Do you or your family need cold weather gear for this winter? Then stop by the North Laurel Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 18 between 10 a.m. and noon. Free coats, hats, gloves and scarves will be given away at the facility at 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road in Laurel. Please come and get what you need to stay warm!