Start preparing for hurricane season now

  • Published
  • 66th Air Base Group Safety Office
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. For southern New England, however, August through September is the most active period. The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Boston offers the following information to prepare for a potential hurricane.

Since 1900, a total of 33 of the 49 tropical storms and hurricanes have struck in August and September. Of the 12 hurricanes which made landfall in southern New England, all but one did so in August or September. The exception was the New England hurricane of 1916, which made landfall on July 21.

Now is the time for base personnel to review what to do for protection should a hurricane threaten the area later this summer.

Evacuation: To stay or leave
Coastal residents may need to decide whether or not to evacuate. If local officials recommend evacuation, do so immediately. Try to use the routes local officials recommend. These routes will often be patrolled more frequently, which means that if someone gets into trouble, help will be there sooner.

Additionally, evacuation does not necessarily mean fleeing hundreds of miles. It is ideal to travel the shortest distance possible in order to leave an area which will be flooded, or isolated due to flooding, and to reach a building which can withstand the expected winds.

Officials advise to remember the following: Run from the water and hide from the wind.

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Boston also offers the following tips:

· Know the quickest route to the nearest storm shelter.
· If possible, make prior arrangements with family or friends.
· Those who live in a mobile or modular home should plan to leave.
· Realize that you will not be the only one heading inland and allow extra time for travel.
· Be ready to leave on short notice.
· Use an emergency preparedness kit.
· Be sure to have pictures, or at the very least serial numbers, and a description of items in the house for insurance purposes. Take a copy of the policy with you.

Boat owners and marina operators
The boating community almost always suffers large losses when a hurricane comes ashore. The boat owner in particular must stay abreast of the latest forecasts and positions of tropical storms and hurricanes, and be ready to act long before the storm makes its final approach.

· Boat owners should have all the necessary gear on board for properly securing their vessel at the start of the boating season. Precious time will be lost for those who are rushing around searching for gear when the storm is approaching.
· Boat owners may not be able to pull their boat out of the water. The only alternative will be to properly tie the boat down. Practice these procedures at the start of the season.
· 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 remove any non-essential items and have pictures and a written description of the vessel for insurance purposes.

The inland wind threat
Inland residents may not need to evacuate if they are not in a flood-prone area. While not subject to the impact of the storm surge, heavy rainfall could lead to flooding of area waterways or urban areas. Inland residents should also properly prepare their property for high winds and disrupted utilities, especially electricity, water and gas.

· Boarding up windows is a necessity for homes exposed to high winds. Have nails and boards on hand for this purpose.
· Know where to store outdoor furniture.
· Be ready to obtain bottled water. Local water supplies often become contaminated after hurricanes. Wells should be tested for contamination before using them after a hurricane or tropical storm. You should have enough water to supply each person in your family with one gallon of water per day for sanitation and drinking for at least three days.
· Have plenty of batteries on hand for flash lights, radios and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio.
· Do not use candles. Many people have been injured or killed during and after hurricanes from fires started by candles.
· Have non-perishable food that does not need refrigeration on hand. Keep a manual can opener for use with canned foods. It is almost a certainty that electrical and phone power will be disrupted after a hurricane. Again, have enough food to get through at least three days.

The river flood threat
History shows that 15 tropical storms and hurricanes since 1900 have caused significant inland small stream and river flooding.

· Know where the closest storm shelter is located and the quickest route to it.
· Be ready to evacuate immediately if flooding occurs or is expected to occur.
· If the inland river flood threat is high, residents may wish to evacuate before the hurricane hits.
· Like coastal residents and boat owners, have pictures and descriptions of items in the home for insurance purposes.

Of all the weather hazards that affect southern New England, the hurricane is by far the most destructive, according to NWS. Unlike most other weather hazards, a hurricane can impact every area of southern New England with the deadly combination of: coastal inundation, severe wind damage along the coast, as well as inland, and torrential rainfall resulting in widespread small stream and river flooding.

Officials warn residents here to respect the power of the hurricane and be ready to act should one pose a threat to the area.