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Hurricane Preparedness information for Residents
It only takes one storm to change your life and community. Tropical cyclones are among nature's most powerful and destructive phenomena. We live in an area prone to tropical cyclones, so you must be prepared. Even areas away from the coastline can be threatened by dangerous flooding, destructive winds and tornadoes from these storms. The National Hurricane Center issues watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather.
Narragansett Emergency Management monitors the threat of hurricanes when they begin formation in the warm tropical waters. By following resources such as the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service, NEMA tracks the storm as it forms and strengthens moving up the Atlantic coastline. Preparations are made well before the storm has reached the Carolina's as some preparedness activities need to be performed more than 96 hours before a storm may arrive. While you may never see it, the NEMA is coordinating with other Town departments to ensure things like fuel supplies, volunteer staff, radio communications, and other critical functions can be maintained before, during and after landfall.
Residents and business' should also be making these same preparations and not wait until the last minute. Resiliency is key to making it through a severe weather event like a hurricane and the more prepared you are can make a big difference in your survival.
Some important information you should know in advance of a Hurricane:
Mass Care Emergency Shelter. The NEMA has plans in place for multiple different sheltering options based upon need and the severity of the storm. A shelter could be opened at either the Narragansett High School or Pier Middle School if the event has only impacted our community. We also have a plan to utilize a multi-jurisdictional shelter in South Kingstown, providing shelter for a larger number of people and further away from the potentially impacted areas. Announcements will be made to residents via the Everbridge community notification system, social media, TV, radio and other methods to provide detailed information about shelter opening and locations.
Evacuations. According to the National Hurricane Center, "Storm surge has the potential to cause the largest loss of life in hurricanes. Since 1963, storm surge has caused nearly half of the deaths in the United States in tropical cyclones. Water, not wind, has accounted for nearly 90 percent of all tropical cyclone deaths in the U.S. during that time." It is for this reason and others that NEMA takes the threat of hurricanes very seriously and may order a mandatory evacuation of different areas of town. These areas often involve the "low-lying areas" along the coast and others that are subject to frequent flooding events. Not only are these evacuations ordered to protect lives of our residents, but chances are first responders will not be able to respond to any emergencies until hazards have been removed from many roads. Please listen to evacuation orders and seek shelter at our shelter or another safe location.
Narragansett Emergency Management monitors the threat of hurricanes when they begin formation in the warm tropical waters. By following resources such as the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service, NEMA tracks the storm as it forms and strengthens moving up the Atlantic coastline. Preparations are made well before the storm has reached the Carolina's as some preparedness activities need to be performed more than 96 hours before a storm may arrive. While you may never see it, the NEMA is coordinating with other Town departments to ensure things like fuel supplies, volunteer staff, radio communications, and other critical functions can be maintained before, during and after landfall.
Residents and business' should also be making these same preparations and not wait until the last minute. Resiliency is key to making it through a severe weather event like a hurricane and the more prepared you are can make a big difference in your survival.
Some important information you should know in advance of a Hurricane:
Mass Care Emergency Shelter. The NEMA has plans in place for multiple different sheltering options based upon need and the severity of the storm. A shelter could be opened at either the Narragansett High School or Pier Middle School if the event has only impacted our community. We also have a plan to utilize a multi-jurisdictional shelter in South Kingstown, providing shelter for a larger number of people and further away from the potentially impacted areas. Announcements will be made to residents via the Everbridge community notification system, social media, TV, radio and other methods to provide detailed information about shelter opening and locations.
Evacuations. According to the National Hurricane Center, "Storm surge has the potential to cause the largest loss of life in hurricanes. Since 1963, storm surge has caused nearly half of the deaths in the United States in tropical cyclones. Water, not wind, has accounted for nearly 90 percent of all tropical cyclone deaths in the U.S. during that time." It is for this reason and others that NEMA takes the threat of hurricanes very seriously and may order a mandatory evacuation of different areas of town. These areas often involve the "low-lying areas" along the coast and others that are subject to frequent flooding events. Not only are these evacuations ordered to protect lives of our residents, but chances are first responders will not be able to respond to any emergencies until hazards have been removed from many roads. Please listen to evacuation orders and seek shelter at our shelter or another safe location.