Hello to all.. NWS Taunton declared July 19th-July 23rd, 2010 as Hurricane Preparedness Week. The following are the Public Information Statements for Hurricane Preparedness Week. It is noted that the statement for Monday 7/19/10 was not issued by NWS Taunton so there are only 4 statements. See the Public Information Statements below: 000 NOUS41 KBOX 201806 PNSBOX CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-211400- PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...RESEND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 1136 AM EDT TUE JUL 20 2010 ...SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND HURRICANE AWARENESS WEEK CONTINUES THROUGH JULY 23 2010... HURRICANE HAZARDS TAKE MANY FORMS ACROSS SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AND INCLUDE... STORM SURGE HIGH WINDS AND TORNADOES HEAVY RAINS AND FRESHWATER FLOODING THIS STATEMENT WILL FOCUS ON SOME SAFETY TIPS FOR THE STORM SURGE AND HIGH WIND THREATS. STORM SURGE... * MINIMIZE THE DISTANCE YOU TRAVEL TO ESCAPE FLOOD WATERS. THE MORE DISTANCE TRAVELED INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF ENCOUNTERING TRAFFIC CONGESTION OR OTHER ROADWAY PROBLEMS. GOOD OPTIONS INCLUDE NEARBY FRIENDS AND FAMILY OUTSIDE THE POTENTIAL COASTAL FLOOD ZONE. HOTELS OUTSIDE THE COASTAL FLOOD ZONE ARE ALSO AN OPTION. ALSO CONSIDER THE NEAREST PUBLIC SHELTER IN YOUR LOCAL AREA. IF YOU HAVE PETS...CALL AHEAD TO THE SHELTER TO DETERMINE IF THEY ACCEPT PETS AT THAT LOCATION. IF NOT...THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO TELL YOU THE LOCATION OF THE NEAREST PUBLIC SHELTER THAT ACCEPTS PETS AND STILL HAS SPACE. * DO NOT GET ON THE ROAD WITHOUT A PLANNED ROUTE OR DESTINATION. ENSURE YOUR CHOSEN ROUTE IS STILL PASSABLE. IF YOUR DESTINATION IS A HOTEL...MAKE SURE ENOUGH ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR FAMILY. * IT IS BEST TO PLAN A ROUTE AND DESTINATION NOW. ROUTES DESIGNATED BY LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES ARE BEST. THESE ROUTES HAVE TYPICALLY BEEN COORDINATED WITH SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE THE SMOOTHEST FLOW OF EVACUATION TRAFFIC. IT MAY HELP TO DRIVE THIS ROUTE TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH IT BEFORE AN EVACUATION ORDER IS GIVEN. * BEFORE LEAVING...FILL YOUR CAR WITH GASOLINE AND WITHDRAW EXTRA MONEY FROM YOUR BANK OR AN ATM. * TAKE ALL MEDICINES AND SPECIAL MEDICAL ITEMS SUCH AS DIAPERS AND GLASSES. YOU SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH MEDICINE TO LAST FOR AT LEAST ONE WEEK. * PREPARE YOUR HOME PRIOR TO LEAVING BY BOARDING UP WINDOWS AND DOORS. SECURE OR MOVE INDOORS ALL YARD OBJECTS. TURN OFF ALL UTILITIES. * IF YOU...OR SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY...NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO EVACUATE...REGISTER WITH OR GET INFORMATION FROM YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE. * IF YOU LIVE IN AN EVACUATION ZONE AND AN EVACUATION ORDER IS GIVEN...DO SO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THE LONGER YOU DELAY...THE MORE LIKELY YOU WILL GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC...OR EVEN WORSE...NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT AT ALL. * EXPECT SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER TRAVEL TIMES TO REACH YOUR INTENDED DESTINATION. HIGH WINDS... * SEE IF YOUR HOME MEETS CURRENT BUILDING CODES. EXPERTS AGREE THAT STRUCTURES BUILT TO MEET OR EXCEED CURRENT BUILDING CODES FOR HIGH WINDS HAVE A GREATER CHANCE OF SURVIVING THE HIGH WINDS. * PROTECT WINDOWS BY INSTALLING COMMERCIAL HURRICANE SHUTTERS OR PREPARING 5/8 INCH THICK PLYWOOD PANELS. * GARAGE DOORS ARE FREQUENTLY THE FIRST FEATURE IN A HOME TO FAIL. REINFORCE ALL GARAGE DOORS TO IMPROVE THEIR RESISTANCE TO HIGH WINDS. * IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN A COASTAL FLOOD EVACUATION ZONE OR A MANUFACTURED HOME...YOU MAY BE ABLE TO STAY WHERE YOU ARE. DESIGNATE AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR WITH NO WINDOWS OR EXTERNAL DOORS AS YOUR SAFE ROOM. * MOST MANUFACTURED HOUSING...INCLUDING MOBILE HOMES...ARE NOT BUILT TO WITHSTAND HURRICANE FORCE WINDS. RESIDENTS OF THESE TYPES OF HOUSING SHOULD RELOCATE TO A NEARBY SAFER STRUCTURE WHEN AN EVACUATION ORDER IS GIVEN BY LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS. * TRIM ALL DEAD WOOD AND WEAK...OVERHANGING BRANCHES FROM TREES ON YOUR PROPERTY. * SECURE OR MOVE INDOORS ALL YARD OBJECTS WHICH COULD BECOME PROJECTILES. * TORNADOES ARE A THREAT WITH ANY TROPICAL SYSTEM...PARTICULARLY IN THE RIGHT FRONT QUADRANT OF THE STORM. BE PREPARED TO MOVE TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM WITH NO WINDOWS QUICKLY IF A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED. * DO NOT LEAVE YOUR SHELTER UNTIL LOCAL OFFICIALS INDICATE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. THERE IS LITTLE TO NO WIND IN THE EYE OF A TROPICAL CYCLONE...BUT IT IS SHORT LIVED. THE WIND CAN INCREASE RAPIDLY AND SWITCH DIRECTION WITHOUT NOTICE. STAY TUNED TO LOCAL RADIO OR TELEVISION STATIONS...OR NOAA WEATHER RADIO...FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION. A BATTERY POWERED RADIO IS BEST IN CASE YOUR ELECTRICAL SERVICE IS INTERRUPTED. NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN PREPARING FOR THE UPCOMING HURRICANE SEASON...WHICH PEAKS IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER FOR SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND WHEN THE OCEAN IS AT ITS WARMEST. $$ BELK 000 NOUS41 KBOX 211856 PNSBOX CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-221400- PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 257 PM EDT WED JUL 21 2010 ...NEW ENGLAND HURRICANE AWARENESS WEEK CONTINUES THROUGH JULY 23... HURRICANE HAZARDS TAKE MANY FORMS ACROSS SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AND INCLUDE... STORM SURGE HIGH WINDS AND TORNADOES HEAVY RAINS AND FRESHWATER FLOODING THIS STATEMENT WILL FOCUS ON SOME SAFETY TIPS FOR HEAVY RAIN AND FRESHWATER FLOODING THREATS... * WHEN YOU HEAR HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM...THINK POTENTIAL FOR INLAND FLOODING. * EVALUATE YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE. UNLIKE STANDARD INSURANCE... FLOOD INSURANCE COVERS PROPERTY LOSS DUE TO FLOODING. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...GO TO THE FOLLOWING WEB SITE... WWW.FLOODSMART.GOV. * IN HIGHLY FLOOD-PRONE AREAS...KEEP SUPPLIES ON HAND SUCH AS SAND BAGS...PLYWOOD AND PLASTIC SHEETING. GLOVES...WORK BOOTS AND SHOVELS ARE ALSO A GOOD IDEA. * BE AWARE OF YOUR LOCATION RELATIVE TO STREAMS...DRAINAGE CHANNELS OR OTHER AREAS KNOWN TO FLOOD. THESE MAY ISOLATE YOU OR CUT OFF YOUR EVACUATION ROUTE. * AVOID DRIVING INTO WATER OF UNKNOWN DEPTH. MOVING WATER COULD QUICKLY SWEEP YOUR VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. * RESTRICT CHILDREN FROM PLAYING NEAR MOVING WATER...DRAINAGE AREAS OR OTHER FLOODED AREAS. MOVING WATER CAN QUICKLY PULL THEM UNDER. IN ADDITION...THE WATER MAY HARBOR CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS OIL AND SEWAGE. * STAY WELL AWAY FROM DOWNED POWER LINES. THEY MAY BE LIVE AND WATER IS AN EXCELLENT CONDUCTOR OF ELECTRICITY. * IN ADDITION...DO NOT ENTER FLOOD WATERS WHERE APPLIANCES ARE EVEN PARTIALLY SUBMERGED. THIS POSES AN ELECTROCUTION HAZARD. * TEST DRINKING WATER FOR POTABILITY. HEED ANY BOIL WATER ORDERS FROM LOCAL OFFICIALS. WELLS SHOULD BE PUMPED OUT AND THE WATER TESTED BEFORE DRINKING. * DO NOT USE FRESH FOOD WHICH HAS COME IN CONTACT WITH FLOOD WATERS. WASH CANNED GOODS WITH SOAP AND HOT WATER BEFORE OPENING. * TO AVOID FLOOD WATERS FROM BACKING UP INTO DRAINS IN YOUR HOME...INSTALL OR ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE CHECK VALVES. * ADDITIONAL POST FLOOD TIPS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY WEB SITE...WWW.MASS.GOV/MEMA. FROM THIS WEB SITE...CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING PHRASE...MEMA TIPS FOR AFTER THE FLOOD. FLOOD TIPS FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ARE ACCESSIBLE AT WWW.FEMA.GOV/AREYOUREADY/FLOOD.SHTM. * STAY TUNED TO LOCAL RADIO OR TELEVISION STATIONS...OR NOAA WEATHER RADIO...FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION. A BATTERY POWERED RADIO IS BEST IN CASE YOUR ELECTRICAL SERVICE IS INTERRUPTED. NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN PREPARING FOR THIS HURRICANE SEASON... WHICH PEAKS IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER FOR SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND WHEN THE OCEAN IS AT ITS WARMEST. $$ BELK/NMB 000 NOUS41 KBOX 221813 PNSBOX CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-142200- PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 212 PM EDT THU JUL 22 2010 ...HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND THROUGH JULY 23... HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND CONTINUES THROUGH JULY 23. TODAY WE WILL DISCUSS SOME RULES OF THUMB YOU CAN USE TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL PLAN OF ACTION. EVERY TROPICAL CYCLONE IS UNIQUE TO SOME EXTENT...SO WHILE THESE GUIDELINES CAN HELP YOU PREPARE...IT IS CRITICAL TO REMAIN AWARE OF EXPECTED CONDITIONS AND ADAPT YOUR PLAN ACCORDINGLY. THE FIRST RULE OF THUMB IS...ANY TROPICAL SYSTEM WITH A NAME IN THE BAHAMAS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO QUICKLY BECOME OUR BUSINESS IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. THERE ARE TWO MAIN SOURCE REGIONS FOR NEW ENGLAND HURRICANES...THE CAPE VERDE ISLANDS OFF OF AFRICA AND THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. THE CAPE VERDE STORMS CAN BECOME HUGE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A WEEK OR MORE TO STROLL ACROSS THE ATLANTIC...AND WE KNOW THEY ARE COMING WELL IN ADVANCE. BAHAMAS STORMS TEND TO BE SOMEWHAT SMALLER...BUT THEY CAN DEVELOP RAPIDLY AND IMPACT NEW ENGLAND VERY QUICKLY. IN MID-AUGUST 1991...A CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS FORMED IN THE BAHAMAS ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON WHEN MOST EMERGENCY MANAGERS WENT HOME FOR THE WEEKEND. IT WAS NOT EVEN A TROPICAL DEPRESSION YET...BUT IT QUICKLY DEVELOPED INTO MAJOR HURRICANE BOB ON SATURDAY. BY MONDAY... IT HAD WEAKENED TO A CATEGORY 2...BUT IT HAD ACCELERATED AND WAS IN FOR BREAKFAST AND OUT FOR DINNER...LIKE MANY NEW ENGLAND HURRICANES. SPEAKING OF ACCELERATION...THAT LEADS TO RULE OF THUMB NUMBER 2. DO NOT CONCENTRATE ON WHEN THE EYE IS GOING TO MAKE LANDFALL. IF YOU DO...YOU WILL BE TOO LATE WITH YOUR PREPARATIONS. OUR STORMS ACCELERATE UP THE COAST...AND WHEN THEY DO...THEY BECOME VERY ASYMMETRIC. THE IMPORTANT EFFECTS OF THE STORM ARE SHUNTED WAY OUT AHEAD OF THE EYE. FOR EXAMPLE...EVEN THOUGH THE CENTER OF HURRICANE BOB WAS STILL OFF THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST...COASTAL ROADWAYS IN RHODE ISLAND WERE CLOSED 12 TO 14 HOURS IN ADVANCE DUE TO COASTAL FLOODING. THIS WAS ASSOCIATED WITH TROPICAL STORM FORCE WIND GUSTS IN THE OUTER RAIN BAND SQUALLS. AS ANOTHER EXAMPLE...THE EYE OF THE 1938 HURRICANE MOVED FROM CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA TO NEW HAVEN CONNECTICUT IN 8 HOURS...AT TIMES RACING NORTH AROUND 60 MPH! UNLIKE MOST STORMS... THE 1938 HURRICANE DID NOT WEAKEN ON ITS WAY TOWARD SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND DUE TO ITS RAPID FORWARD SPEED AND ITS TRACK. THE THIRD RULE OF THUMB IS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE WITH RESPECT TO THE TRACK OF THE EYE. TO THE LEFT OF THE TRACK...FLOODING RAINS. TO THE RIGHT OF THE TRACK...DAMAGING WINDS AND STORM SURGE INUNDATION. IN THE TEXTBOOKS...HURRICANES ARE PERFECTLY SYMMETRIC. AS THE STORM APPROACHES...THE RAIN AND WIND POUND FROM ONE DIRECTION...THEN THE EYE MOVES OVERHEAD AND IT IS CALM...THEN THE RAIN AND WIND POUND EQUALLY AS HARD BUT FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS SCENARIO IS TRUE OF STORMS AT LOWER LATITUDES. HURRICANES THAT AFFECT SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...HOWEVER...ARE TYPICALLY ACCELERATING UP THE COAST AND BECOMING ASYMMETRIC. THEY ARE TYPICALLY IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSITIONING FROM A PURELY TROPICAL SYSTEM TO THE STRUCTURE ALMOST LIKE THAT OF A WINTER STORM. AS A RESULT...FLOODING RAINS TEND TO OCCUR TO THE NORTH AND WEST OF THE TRACK OF THE EYE. PARTIAL SUNSHINE OCCURS WITH ONLY SCATTERED SHOWERS TO THE SOUTH AND EAST OF THE EYE...BUT THAT IS WHERE THE POWERFUL WINDS ARE...AND WHERE THE STORM SURGE IS MAXIMIZED. AFTER THE EYE MOVES THROUGH...MOST OF THE RAIN IS OVER. IN TERMS OF RAIN THERE IS NO SECOND HALF. THE WINDS DO SHIFT DIRECTIONS AND CAN BE BRIEFLY STRONG ON THE BACK SIDE. THE FOURTH RULE OF THUMB FOR NEW ENGLAND HURRICANES...AND IT WORKS PRETTY WELL. IF YOU WANT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE MAXIMUM WIND GUST WILL BE AT YOUR LOCATION YOU CAN TAKE THE MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WIND SPEED AND THEN ADD THE FORWARD MOTION OF THE STORM IF YOU ARE TO THE RIGHT OF THE TRACK...OR SUBTRACT THE FORWARD MOTION IF YOU ARE TO THE LEFT OF THE TRACK. IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE...WINDS CIRCULATE COUNTERCLOCKWISE AROUND LOW PRESSURE AREAS...SUCH AS HURRICANES. THUS...TO THE EAST OF THE CENTER...WINDS ARE BLOWING FROM SOUTH TO NORTH AND TO THE WEST OF THE CENTER...WINDS ARE BLOWING FROM NORTH TO SOUTH. HURRICANES THAT IMPACT NEW ENGLAND ARE USUALLY ACCELERATING NORTHWARD ALONG THE COAST. SO...TO THE EAST OF THE CENTER...THE NORTHWARD MOTION OF THE WHOLE STORM IS IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE WINDS BLOWING THROUGH THE STORM...WHICH HAS AN ADDITIVE EFFECT. TO THE WEST OF THE CENTER...THE NORTHWARD MOTION OF THE STORM IS OPPOSING THE NORTH TO SOUTH WINDS BLOWING AROUND THE STORM...WHICH HAS THE EFFECT OF REDUCING THE WIND GUSTS OBSERVED AT THE GROUND. ANOTHER RULE OF THUMB FOR NEW ENGLAND HURRICANES IS THIS...RUN FROM THE WATER AND HIDE FROM THE WIND. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THREAT FROM HURRICANES IS FLOODING...EITHER DUE TO COASTAL INUNDATION OR HEAVY RAINFALL. IN BOTH CASES...IT IS BEST TO LEAVE AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING AND SEEK SHELTER IN STRUCTURES WHICH CAN WITHSTAND THE WIND. THIS IS ALSO A GOOD IDEA FOR THOSE IN AREAS WHICH MAY NOT FLOOD THEMSELVES...BUT BECOME ISOLATED AS ALL ACCESS POINTS INTO THAT AREA ARE CLOSED. ALONG A COASTLINE...THE MAIN THREAT IS THE STORM SURGE. THE STORM SURGE IS SIMPLY WATER FROM THE OCEAN PUSHED TOWARD SHORE BY THE WIND. AS MENTIONED EARLIER THIS WEEK...SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND HURRICANES TEND TO BE ASYMMETRIC WITH THE STRONGEST WINDS TO THE RIGHT OF THE STORM MOTION. THUS...LOCATIONS TO THE RIGHT OF THE EXPECTED STORM MOTION WHICH ARE PERPENDICULAR TO THE STORM MOTION WILL SEE THE HIGHEST STORM SURGE. TO SUMMARIZE THESE POINTS... 1. PAY ATTENTION TO ANY TROPICAL SYSTEM IN OR NEAR THE BAHAMAS 2. DO NOT CONCENTRATE ON THE EYE...THE IMPACTS WILL ARRIVE MUCH SOONER. PLAN TO COMPLETE YOUR PREPARATIONS OR TRAVEL 6 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TIME OF EXPECTED LANDFALL. 3. KNOW WHICH SIDE OF THE STORM WILL MOST LIKELY IMPACT YOUR LOCATION. THE STRONGEST WINDS AND STORM SURGE WILL BE WITH THE RIGHT HALF OF THE TOPICAL CYCLONE...WITH THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL AND FLOODING TO THE LEFT. 4. ADD THE FORWARD SPEED OF THE STORM TO THE SUSTAINED WINDS TO DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL WIND GUSTS IF YOU WILL BE IN THE RIGHT HALF OF THE TROPICAL CYCLONE. SUBTRACT THE FORWARD SPEED IF YOU WOULD BE IN THE LEFT HALF. 5. RUN FROM THE WATER AND HIDE FROM THE WIND. $$ BELK/FIELD 000 NOUS41 KBOX 232005 PNSBOX CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-241400- PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 404 PM EDT FRI JUL 23 2010 ...HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ENDS TODAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS DECLARED THIS WEEK AS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. A HURRICANE STRIKE IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND WILL DISRUPT NORMAL ACTIVITIES. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY FOR MANY ROADS TO BE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING...FALLEN TREES OR DEBRIS. UNTIL THE WATER RECEDES...OR THE DEBRIS REMOVED...IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO TRAVEL. THAT MEANS NO TRIPS TO THE GROCERY OR CONVENIENCE STORE...OR RESTAURANTS FOR FOOD OR DRINK. THIS ALSO MEANS EMERGENCY SERVICES...SUCH AS POLICE...FIRE AND AMBULANCE...MAY ALSO BE INTERRUPTED. ELECTRIC AND TELEPHONE SERVICES MAY BE UNAVAILABLE FOR DAYS... INCLUDING CELLULAR PHONES. PRIOR TO THE START OF HURRICANE SEASON...IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO ESTABLISH A COMMON CONTACT WELL AWAY FROM THE EAST OR SOUTH COASTS. AS THE STORM APPROACHES...YOU CAN CONTACT THAT PERSON TO INFORM THEM THAT YOU HAVE MOVED TO A SAFE SHELTER. FAMILY AND FRIENDS SHOULD KNOW TO CONTACT THAT PERSON TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR WELL-BEING. IT IS BEST TO BE PREPARED TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT FOR AT LEAST THREE DAYS UP TO ONE WEEK. THIS MEANS HAVING ENOUGH FOOD...WATER AND MEDICINES FOR ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY. IF YOU HAVE PETS...DO NOT FORGET THEIR NEEDS AS WELL. PUTTING TOGETHER SUCH A DISASTER PREPAREDNESS KIT CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE IF DONE ALL AT ONCE. TRY BUILDING YOUR KIT SLOWLY...BY PURCHASING ONE OR TWO ITEMS PER WEEK. A BASIC KIT SHOULD CONTAIN AT LEAST... * ONE GALLON OF WATER PER PERSON PER DAY FOR DRINKING AND SANITATION * NON-PERISHABLE FOOD AND A MANUAL CAN OPENER * BATTERY POWERED OR HAND CRANK RADIO AND A NOAA WEATHER RADIO - INCLUDE EXTRA BATTERIES FOR EACH * FLASHLIGHTS OR LAMPS - INCLUDE EXTRA BATTERIES * FIRST AID KIT * EXTRA GLASSES AND ANY MEDICINES * A WHISTLE TO SIGNAL FOR HELP * A WRENCH OR PLIERS TO TURN OFF UTILITIES * MOIST TOWELETTES...GARBAGE BAGS AND PLASTIC TIES FOR SANITATION * LOCAL MAPS DO NOT USE CANDLES OR AN OPEN FLAME AS A SOURCE OF LIGHT AFTER A MAJOR STORM. FIRE SERVICES WILL LIKELY BE DISRUPTED...AND A SMALL FIRE COULD GET OUT OF HAND QUICKLY. IF THERE HAPPENS TO BE A NATURAL GAS LEAK NEARBY OR SOME KIND OF FUEL IN FLOOD WATERS...A BAD SITUATION COULD BE MADE MUCH WORSE. STAY AWAY FROM DOWNED POWER LINES. THERE IS NO ADVANCE NOTICE WHEN POWER COULD RETURN TO THE LINES. OR...SOMEONE ON THE STREET COULD HAVE HOOKED UP THEIR PORTABLE GENERATOR IMPROPERLY. FOR MORE SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT SHOULD GO INTO A DISASTER KIT...PLEASE VISIT WWW.READY.GOV/AMERICA/GETAKIT /ALL IN LOWERCASE/. YOU COULD ALSO VISIT THE WEBSITE OF YOUR STATES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OR OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY. $$ BELK Respectfully Submitted, Robert Macedo (KD1CY) ARES SKYWARN Coordinator Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM) Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM) Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM) Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com http://ares.ema.arrl.org http://www.wx1box.org