 MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2018
CONTACT: Christopher Besse, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
Governor Baker Proclaims “Hurricane Preparedness Week” Residents Encouraged to Prepare
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Governor Charlie Baker has proclaimed July 15-21, 2018 to be Hurricane Preparedness Week to emphasize the Commonwealth’s vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes and the importance of preparing for the impacts that hurricanes and tropical storms can have on the state’s residents, homes, businesses and infrastructure.
“It is never too early to prepare for a tropical storm or hurricane,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Planning ahead will help mitigate damage to your property, better protect your family, and reduce the burden on public safety personnel in an emergency situation.”
“MEMA actively works with our communities in Massachusetts and partners across all levels of government to enhance our readiness for the next hurricane or major storm,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We encourage residents take the actions necessary to improve preparedness in the event of a major storm or other type of disaster.”
“While Massachusetts has been spared in recent years from direct hurricane landfalls, it only takes one storm in a season to create major impacts,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Dan Bennett, “In 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, & Maria showed the catastrophic destruction that Atlantic hurricanes can cause.”
“All residents should prepare for the impacts of a tropical storm or hurricane,” said MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz. “Hurricanes and tropical storms can affect the entire state, and history has shown that these powerful storms can cause deadly storm surge, heavy inland rainfall and flooding, and destructive winds which can devastate a region.
Know Your Evacuation Zone
Massachusetts has established hurricane evacuation zones in each of the state’s coastal communities. These zones, designated as Zone A, Zone B and Zone C, identify the areas of coastal communities that are at risk for storm surge flooding from tropical storms or hurricanes. If evacuations are necessary because of an approaching tropical storm or hurricane, local or state officials will use the hurricane evacuation zones to call for people living, working or vacationing in these areas to evacuate. It is important to note that even areas not directly along a coastline may be at risk for storm surge flooding during a tropical storm or hurricane. Find out if you live, work or vacation in a hurricane evacuation zone by visiting the ‘Know Your Zone’ interactive map located on MEMA’s website at www.mass.gov/knowyourzone.
You probably already know that the we are on an island. This limits our evacutation options. Sheltering-In-Place is usually the safest choice. You should talk with your family and care-givers and determine what is going to be the best choice for your specific situation.
Most of Chilmark is above the Flood Zones. However, Menemsha, Squibnocket, the South Shore along Stonewall Pond, Chilmark and Tisbury Great Ponds can be at risk. Remember that the Hariph's Creek Bridge on State Road to Aquinnah, and the South Road near Meeting House Road can be impacted and impassable during Major title surges. Do not attempt to drive through flood waters.
Make an Emergency Plan
It’s important to have plans in case your family needs to take action before or during a storm:
- Communications Plan — Create a family communications plan so you can stay in touch and find each other in an emergency. Please remember that cellular systems and the COMCAST cable internet may out of service for a number of days following a Hurricane. You should designate a family member or friend that is far away as an alternate contact for everyone in your family.
- Evacuation Plan — Create a family evacuation plan that details where you will go, how you will get there, what you will bring, and what you will do with your pets.
- Shelter-in-Place Plan — Make sure your family has a plan to shelter in place, which includes stockpiling items you will need to stay comfortable while you are at home. Be prepared to shelter in place for at least 72 hours. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT on Martha's Vineyard Island. Here you should have four (4) days of non-perishable food, water, and medications for your family.
Make sure your emergency plans address the needs of all of your family members, including seniors, children, individuals with access and functional needs, and pets.
Have an Emergency Kit
Hurricanes can cause extended power outages, flooding, and blocked roads. You should have an emergency kit to sustain yourself and your family for at least 72 hours in case you lose power, are stranded in your home, or nearby stores are closed or damaged. While it is important to customize your kit to meet your family’s unique needs, every emergency kit should include bottled water, food, a flashlight, a radio and extra batteries, a first aid kit, sanitation items, clothing, cash and a charged cell phone. Depending on your
family’s needs, emergency kits should also include medications, extra eyeglasses, medical equipment and supplies, children’s items such as diapers and formula, food and supplies for pets and service animals, and other items you or your family members might need during a disaster.
Stay Informed
As a storm approaches, monitor media reports and follow instructions from public safety officials with these tools:
- Massachusetts Alerts App — Download the free Massachusetts Alerts app for your iOS or Android device. The app provides tropical storm and hurricane warnings, as well as important public safety alerts and information from MEMA. Social Media — Follow your local public safety agencies on social media and MEMA on Twitter (@MassEMA) and Facebook for emergency updates during hurricanes Mass 2-1-1 — Mass 2-1-1 is the state non-emergency call center for disasters. Call 2-1-1 to find out about shelter locations, travel restrictions, disaster assistance programs, and more. Mass 2-1-1 is free and available 24/7. Local Emergency Notification Systems — Check with your local emergency management director to see if your community uses an emergency notification system and how to sign up.
About MEMA MEMA is the state agency charged with ensuring the state is prepared to withstand, respond to, and recover from all types of emergencies and disasters, including natural hazards, accidents, deliberate attacks, and technological and infrastructure failures. MEMA's staff of professional planners, communications specialists and operations and support personnel is committed to an all hazards approach to emergency management. By building and sustaining effective partnerships with federal, state and local government agencies, and with the private sector - individuals, families, non-profits and businesses - MEMA ensures the Commonwealth's
ability to rapidly recover from large and small disasters by assessing and mitigating threats and hazards, enhancing preparedness, ensuring effective response, and strengthening our capacity to rebuild and recover. For additional information about MEMA and Emergency Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema.
Massachusetts Alerts: to receive emergency information on your smartphone, including severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service and emergency information from MEMA, download the free Massachusetts Alerts app. To learn more about Massachusetts Alerts, and for information on how to download the free app onto your smartphone, visit: www.mass.gov/mema/mobileapp.
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