Tropical Storm Season Preparedness

Preparation tips to think of this autumn
Reuters photo of Hurricane Ian off Florida coast (September 27, 2022).  Hopefully ours is a safe/peaceful tropical storm season!

Tropical Storm Season Preparedness

As Hurricane Ian approaches Florida, we wanted to remind everyone that we're in the midst of the tropical storm season.

Although most hurricanes don't usually reach Massachusetts, it's not uncommon to experience tropical storm conditions that can seriously impact buildings and infrastructure.

Below is a listing of key storm preparation steps you can take so that you're prepared should Ian or any other storm approach in the coming months.

Preparations

Roofs - Inspect your roofs for damage. Determine if additional fasteners or strapping is necessary to secure them.

Drains & Gutters - Clear drains and gutters to allow water to drain away from your buildings.

Rooftop Systems - Ensure that rooftop ventilation and air conditioning units are properly secured.

Air Conditioners - Ensure window air conditioning units are properly secured or brought inside.

Trees - If possible, trim back tree limbs and shrubs near buildings.

Window Protection - If tree limbs or shrubs cannot be trimmed in time, consider boarding windows with 5/8" marine plywood in high-exposure areas.

Potential Airborne Items - Move trash cans, tables, chairs, barbeque grills, etc. inside.

Recreation Equipment - Secure outdoor recreation and school equipment such as soccer nets, playground equipment/toys, bleachers, portable basketball hoops, etc.

Storm Drains - Clear stormwater drains of debris in areas where flooding is likely.

Vehicles - Keep clear paths to the roadways for your vehicles.

Fuels - Obtain sufficient fuel for emergency response as some gas stations will be closed during power outages.

Generators - Test ALL generators to ensure they remain operational.

Basement Storage - If basements are prone to water penetration, move contents to higher ground and prepare sump pumps.

Communication Systems - Keep cell phones charged, batteries for radios as landlines/computer networks can go down

AND PLEASE be sure to get registered on CODE RED if you haven't already. This information will help our public safety responders get to you. Sign up online: https://www.townofberlin.com/public-safety/pages/sign-codered-notifications