Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off of your feet. Flooding and damaging winds can make traveling dangerous. Avoid driving or going outdoors during a storm.If you cannot, prepare your boat for the storm to reduce damage. If you have a boat, remove it from the water.If instructed, turn off your gas and electricity at the main switch or valve.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.Turn off propane tanks if you are not using them.In fact, taping windows may create larger shards of glass that can cause serious injuries. Go Tapeless! Taping windows wastes preparation time, does not stop windows from breaking in a hurricane, and does not make cleanup easier.If you don’t have storm shutters, board up windows with 5/8” exterior-grade or marine plywood. If damaging winds are expected, cover all of your windows.Clear clogged rain gutters to allow water to flow away from 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.Pumps at gas stations may not work during a power outage. If you use electricity to get well water, fill your bathtub with water to use for flushing toilets. Prepare for power outages by charging cell phones and electronics and setting your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings.If you are not in an area prone to flooding 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 due to.If you live or work in a flood zone or in an area that is prone to flooding, be ready to evacuate.Listen to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio or to a local news station for the latest information.What to do when a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Is Approaching Consider purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood losses are not typically covered under renter and homeowner’s insurance policies.If you live in a coastal community, review the Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Coastal Hazards.Consider attaching temporary plywood covers to protect windows and sliding doors.Make a record of your personal property by taking photos or videos of your belongings.If you have life-support devices or other medical equipment or supplies which depend on electricity, notify your utility and work with your medical provider to prepare for power outages.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and learn how to use it safely before an outage. Consider purchasing a generator to provide power during an outage.Ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries.Follow instructions from public safety officials.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 during.If you live or work in a flood zone, hurricane evacuation zone, or an area that is prone to flooding, you should be prepared to evacuate.Create and review your family emergency plan.Explore the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) flood maps. Find out whether your property is in a flood-prone or high-risk area.Learn if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone. Be informed by receiving alerts, warnings, and public safety information before, during, and after emergencies.Hurricane & Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings Threats from hurricanes include:Īlthough the Atlantic hurricane season is officially June 1 through November 30, the most active time for these storms in Massachusetts is late August through September. Hurricanes have the power to cause widespread devastation, and can affect both coastal and inland areas. The higher the category, the greater the hurricane's potential for property damage. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating, or category, based on a hurricane's maximum sustained winds. When a storm's maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, it is called a hurricane. Those with maximum sustained winds of 39 mph or higher are called tropical storms. Systems with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 39 miles per hour (mph) are called tropical depressions. Hurricanes are a rotating low-pressure tropical weather system.
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