Hurricane Preparedness

This week, July 12 - 18, 2020, is Hurricane Preparedness Week in Massachusetts, an effort to emphasize both the Commonwealth’s potential vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes, and the importance of preparing for their impact, including taking necessary precautions during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Residents and visitors are encouraged to use this week to prepare for hurricanes, tropical storms and other emergencies.

• Make an Emergency Plan – Have an emergency plan of how your family would communicate, evacuate, and shelter in place that addresses the needs of all of your family members, including seniors, children, individuals with access and functional needs, and pets. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/make-a-family-emergency-plan
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, your plan to evacuate should include where you might evacuate to (relatives’ home, hotel, etc.) given your circumstances. If you are in a high-risk population, the safest option may be to evacuate to a location without the general public such as a hotel, relatives’ home or other destination.
• Build an Emergency Kit - Build or customize an emergency kit that will sustain your household for three to five days without power. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/build-an-emergency-kit.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, include face coverings or masks, disinfectants, hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies that you may need in an emergency.
• Stay Informed - Every family should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts. Learn more about different types of alerting and information tools including the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, social and traditional news media, 2-1-1 hotline and local notification systems: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/be-informed-and-receive-emergency-alerts
• Know Your Evacuation Zone - Learn if you live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone: www.mass.gov/knowyourzone

For more information, visit the Hurricane Safety Tips section of MEMA’s website at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/hurricane-safety-tips.