hurricane preparedness

As a part of Hurricane Preparedness Week, Chief Scott Lachance and the Attleboro Fire Department are encouraging residents to take a series of precautions in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane.

Gov. Charlie Baker has proclaimed July 11-17 to be Hurricane Preparedness Week and is emphasizing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes, as well as the importance of being prepared for the impacts of these storms.

June 1 marked the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs through Nov. 30. While most hurricanes and tropical storms that hit New England occur during August and September, residents are encouraged to take time now to prepare, especially after the impacts of Tropical Storm Elsa.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) seasonal outlook predicts another active, above-normal, Atlantic hurricane season.

The recent storms are a timely reminder for all residents to prepare for the effects of a hurricane by developing an emergency plan, building an emergency kit, and staying informed before, during and after the storm.

Hurricanes and tropical storms can have an impact on the entire Commonwealth, not just coastal communities. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene, which produced severe flooding damage in communities throughout Central and Western Massachusetts in 2011.

All Massachusetts residents need to prepare for the possibility of storm impacts, and are encouraged to learn more about the hazards and how to prepare by visiting the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency’s hurricane webpage at mass.gov/mema/hurricanes.

The Attleboro Fire Department wishes to share the following tips from MEMA:

Know Your Evacuation Zone

Massachusetts has designated hurricane evacuation zones, designated as Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C, for areas of the state at risk for storm surge flooding associated with tropical storms or hurricanes.

If evacuations are necessary because of a tropical storm or hurricane, local or state officials will notify people living, working or vacationing in evacuation zones to leave the area. Even areas not directly along a coastline may be at risk for storm surge flooding during a tropical storm or hurricane.

Find out if you are in a hurricane evacuation zone by visiting the “Know Your Zone” interactive map located on MEMA’s website at www.mass.gov/knowyourzone.

Make an Emergency Plan

Develop a plan with your family members of what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in a tropical storm or hurricane. An emergency plan should include:

Meeting Locations
Emergency Contact Information
Evacuation Plans
Shelter-in-Place Plans
Considerations for Family Members with Access and Functional Needs, and Pets

For details, click here.

Build an Emergency Kit

Build an emergency kit containing items that will sustain you and your family if you are isolated for three to five days without power or unable to go to a store. Emergency kits are essential during hurricane season due to potential extended power outages, flooding, and impassable debris-covered roads.

While it is important to customize your kit to meet the unique needs of you and your family, every emergency kit should include bottled water, food, a flashlight, a radio and extra batteries, a first aid kit and personal hygiene items.

Depending on your family’s needs, emergency kits should also include medications, spare eyeglasses, medical equipment and supplies, and children’s items such as diapers and formula. Food and supplies for pets and service animals should also be part of your kit.

For a complete emergency kit checklist, click here.

Stay Informed

Receiving warnings, timely emergency alerts and information from public officials is critical to staying safe during a tropical storm or hurricane. Every family should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts.

Learn more about the different types of alerting and information tools, including the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, social and traditional media, 2-1-1 Hotline, local notification systems and more by clicking here.

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ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott Lachance and the Attleboro Fire Department are recommending a series of precautions in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane during Emergency Preparedness Month.

September has been declared by Governor Charlie Baker to be Emergency Preparedness Month. Residents are encouraged to use resources provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to prepare themselves, their family, their property and their community for the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season began on June 1 and will end on November 30. Historically, hurricanes and tropical storms in August and September have had the greatest impact on New England communities, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a near normal hurricane season this year, which could produce between nine and 15 storms. Between two and four of those storms are predicted to be major hurricanes.

“Hurricanes and their aftermath pose many dangers to people and property,” Chief Lachance said. “Residents should be sure they know what to do before, during and after a hurricane situation.”

MEMA has several safety tips for residents in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm in our area:

Before a Hurricane:

Stay informed by signing up for emergency alerts.
Know if you live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone. Hurricane evacuation zones are areas where evacuation may be necessary due to dangerous storm surges.
Develop a family emergency plan by establishing meeting locations, creating an emergency contact plan, planning how to evacuate and learning how to shelter in place. Practice your plan with your entire family, and make sure the plan accounts for individuals who have access needs, seniors, children and pets.
Acquaint yourself with the emergency plans at places where your family spends considerable time, such as your workplace or your children’s school.
Those receiving medical treatment or home health services can work with a medical provider to learn how to maintain care in the event of a hurricane that requires evacuation.
Create an emergency kit. Make sure your emergency kit is specific to your family’s needs.
Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Prepare for power outages. Consider purchasing a generator. If you do, be sure to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions to use it safely. NEVER run a generator indoors, in a garage or with the exhaust facing the home or home air intakes.
Take photos or videos of your possessions to create a record for insurance purposes.
Prepare your home if a storm is coming by securing outdoor objects, clearing rain gutters, covering windows with shutters or plywood (do not use tape), turn off propane tanks that aren’t being used, elevate items in your basement in case of flooding, check your sump pump, unplug sensitive electronic equipment, clear nearby catch basins, park vehicles in areas that are unlikely to flood and remove boats from the water.

During a Hurricane:

Do not go out during a hurricane or tropical storm, if possible. Do not walk through flowing water. Never drive through flooded roads.
Monitor local media for updated weather information.
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Take only essential items, and bring pets if possible.
If told to shelter in place, stay indoors and away from windows and listen to local television or radio for updates. Conditions may change quickly, so be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

After a Hurricane:

Follow instructions from public safety officials. If you have evacuated, return home only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies, including downed power lines and gas leaks.
If your power is out, follow power outage safety tips. Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live.
Stay out of damaged buildings and away from affected areas and roads until authorities deem them safe.
Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions and those who may need additional assistance.

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