July 11 – 17 is Hurricane Awareness Week in Massachusetts

Posted on by MWCC Author

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has developed a “tool kit” to help Commonwealth residents prepare for weather emergencies.

Before a Hurricane

  • Know Your Zone – Learn if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone.
  • Find out whether your property is in a flood-prone or high-risk area by viewing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) flood maps.
  • Create and review your family emergency plan.
    • If you live or work in a flood zone, hurricane evacuation zone, or area that is prone to flooding, you should be prepared to evacuate.
    • If you receive medical treatment or home health care services, work with your medical provider to determine how to maintain care and service if you are unable to leave your home or have to evacuate.
  • Build an emergency kit for disasters that contains items that will sustain you & your family’s specific needs if you are not able to leave your home.
  • Prepare your home:
    • Elevating your furnace, water heater, and electric panel to higher floors if they may be at risk during a flood.
    • Ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working and have fresh batteries.
    • If you live in a coastal community, review the Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Coastal Hazards.
  • Coastal and inland flooding are significant hazards during a tropical storm or hurricane. Flood losses are not typically covered under renter and homeowner’s insurance policies. Consider purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP).
    • Flood insurance is available in most communities whether or not your building is in a flood-prone area, but there is a 30-day waiting period before it goes into effect.

When a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Is Approaching

  • Listen to local news stations and public officials for the latest information and updates.
  • Follow instructions from public safety officials. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. If you must evacuate your home, take only essential items, including your emergency kit, and bring your pets.
  • If you are not asked to evacuate and planning on riding out the storm at home, gather adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are unable to leave.
  • Prepare for power outages by charging cell phones and electronics and setting your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. If you use electricity to get well water, fill your bathtub with water to use for flushing toilets.
  • Prepare your home:
    • Secure or bring in outdoor objects (patio furniture, children’s toys, trash cans, etc.) that could be swept away or damaged during strong winds or flooding.
    • If damaging winds are expected, cover all of your windows. If you don’t have storm shutters, board up windows with 5/8” exterior-grade or marine plywood.
    • Prepare for flooding by elevating items in your basement, checking your sump pump, unplugging sensitive electronic equipment, clearing nearby catch basins, and parking vehicles in areas not prone to flooding.

During a Hurricane

  • Follow instructions from public safety officials. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. If you must evacuate your home, take only essential items, including your emergency kit, and bring your pets.
  • Avoid driving or going outdoors during a storm. Flooding and damaging winds can make traveling dangerous.
  • During strong winds in a hurricane, take shelter in a basement or an interior room (closet, interior hallway) on the lowest level of a building away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
  • If you must evacuate or are traveling during flooding, remember:
    • Do not walk through flowing water. Most drownings occur during flash floods. Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off your feet.
    • Don’t drive through flooded roads – “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!” Cars can be swept away in only two feet of moving water. If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay in the vehicle. If the water is rising inside the vehicle, seek refuge on the roof.
    • Do not drive around road barriers. Roads and bridges may be washed out or structurally unsound.
  • If you’re sheltering in place, listen to local news outlets for updates. Conditions may change quickly, so be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

After a Hurricane

  • If you have evacuated, return home only when authorities say it is safe to do so. Check with local officials or call 2-1-1 to find shelter locations and other disaster information.
  • Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions and those who may need additional assistance.
  • Stay away from downed utility wires.  Always assume a downed power line is live.
  • If your power is out, follow these power outage safety tips.
    • Report power outages to your utility company.
    • Use generators and grills outside because their fumes contain carbon monoxide. Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working as it is a silent, odorless, killer. See more Generator Safety Tips.
  • Don’t drive through flooded roads – “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!” Do not drive around road barriers. Roads and bridges may be washed out or structurally unsound.
  • Check your home for damage:
    • If your home or property is damaged, take photos or videos to document your damage, and contact your insurance company.
  • Clean and disinfect anything that got wet. Protect yourself during cleanup by wearing appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and face masks.