The Hurricane Season
Recommendation

Preparation for the Hurricane Season
Are you prepared for it?

THE ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON EACH YEAR RUNS FROM JUNE 1 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30. THIS MEANS THAT DURING THIS PERIOD TROPICAL STORMS AND HURRICANES ARE A THREAT TO STRIKE LAND. INCLUDING NEW ENGLAND.

SINCE 1900 A TOTAL OF 39 TROPICAL SYSTEMS HAVE IMPACTED NEW ENGLAND IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. SOME BROUGHT JUST LIGHT AMOUNTS OF RAIN AND LIGHT WINDS, WHILE OTHERS BROUGHT FLOODING RAINS, LARGE STORM SURGES AND DESTRUCTIVE WINDS.

SINCE HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE, NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE FOR IT. HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY BEFORE A STORM THREATENS.

ONE OF THE MAIN THREATS A TROPICAL STORM OR HURRICANE CAN POSE TO NEW ENGLAND IS TO THE BOATING COMMUNITY. NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE YOUR VESSELS FOR SUCH A THREAT:

• BOAT OWNERS SHOULD HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY GEAR ON BOARD FOR PROPERLY TYING DOWN THE VESSEL. YOU WILL LOSE PRECIOUS TIME IF YOU HAVE TO RUSH AROUND SEARCHING FOR GEAR WHEN A STORM IS APPROACHING.

   

• REALIZE THAT YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PULL YOUR BOAT OUT OF THE WATER BEFORE A STORM THREATENS. YOUR ONLY ALTERNATIVE WILL BE TO TIE DOWN THE VESSEL

   

• HAVE A PLAN WORKED OUT WITH THE MARINA OPERATOR SO THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS OR ANY CONFUSION WHEN THE TIME COMES TO TIE UP OR PULL THE BOAT OUT OF THE WATER.

   

• BE SURE TO TAKE PICTURES AND MAKE A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL SO THAT THIS MAY BE USED AFTER THE STORM PASSES FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES.

   

• INSURE THAT YOUR VESSEL IS AS WATERTIGHT AS POSSIBLE.

TROPICAL STORMS AND HURRICANES NOT ONLY AFFECT THE MARINE COMMUNITY. INLAND AREAS CAN BE AFFECTED AS WELL. NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE.

• BE SURE TO HAVE PLENTY OF BATTERIES ON HAND FOR FLASHLIGHTS, AM/FM RADIOS AND YOUR NOAA WEATHER RADIO. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT POWER WILL BE DISRUPTED DURING THE STORM AND MAY BE DISRUPTED FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

   

• BE SURE TO HAVE CANNED FOOD AND OTHER ITEMS THAT DO NOT NEED REFRIGERATION ON HAND. AS STATED ABOVE, IT IS ALMOST A CERTAINTY THAT ELECTRICAL AND TELEPHONE POWER WILL BE DISRUPTED.

   

• IF YOU OWN A PORTABLE GENERATOR BE SURE IT IS PROPERLY HOOKED INTO THE POWER SUPPLY. IF IT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, IT MAY DO DAMAGE TO THE MAIN POWER SUPPLY.

   

• STORE PLYWOOD AND PLENTY OF NAILS SO THAT YOU CAN QUICKLY BOARD UP WINDOWS ON OPEN FACING SIDES OF YOUR HOME. DO NOT USE MASKING TAPE TO TAPE WINDOWS. IT WILL NOT HELP!

   

• IN CASE OF THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT YOU MUST EVACUATE YOUR HOME, KNOW WHERE YOUR NEAREST STORM SHELTER IS LOCATED, AND THE QUICKEST ROUTE TO IT.

KNOW YOUR EVACUATIONS ROUTES AND THE PROPER SHELTERS FOR YOUR AREA. CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL TOWN HALL TO SEE IF YOU ARE IN AN EVACUATION ZONE.

MOST SHELTERS WILL NOT ALLOW PETS. MAKE ARRANGEMENTS AHEAD OF TIME FOR A PLACE FOR YOUR PETS TO STAY. SOME ANIMAL HOSPITALS OFFER TO KEEP PETS UNTIL YOU ARE ABLE TO RETURN HOME.

KNOW WHERE YOUR GAS AND WATER SHUTOFFS ARE. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU TURN OFF BOTH YOUR GAS AND WATER BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME.

IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO HEAD TO A SHELTER, MAKE ARRANGEMENTS NOW WITH RELATIVES OR FRIENDS IF YOU WISH TO STAY WITH THEM SHOULD YOU NEED TO EVACUATE.

FOLLOWING THESE SIMPLE STEPS WILL HELP MAKE WHAT CAN BE A VERY STRESSFUL AND DIFFICULT TIME THAT IS CREATED BY THE THREAT OF A TROPICAL STORM OR HURRICANE GO A BIT MORE SMOOTHLY.