Hurricane Watch - Inland Safety
What is a hurricane watch?
A hurricane watch is issued when hurricane conditions are possible in the
designated watch area within 36 hours. It is essential that you keep
informed about the progress of the hurricane and take the necessary
preparedness actions to minimize property losses and personal risk.
Of all the many weather hazards that affect Southern New England, the
hurricane is by far the most destructive. Unlike most other weather
hazards, a hurricane can impact every area of Southern New England with the
deadly threats of: coastal inundation, severe wind damage along the coast
and farther inland, and torrential rainfall resulting in widespread small
stream and river flooding.
Respect the power of the hurricane. Act now to protect your life and
property. Always build in extra time. New England hurricanes often
accelerate up the coast drastically, reducing your time to prepare. When a
hurricane watch is issued, your National Weather Service urges you to
follow these preparedness rules:
Inland residents may not need to evacuate if you are not in a flood-prone
area. While not subject to the impact of the storm surge, heavy rainfall
could lead to flooding of area waterways or urban areas. Inland residents
should also properly prepare their property for high winds and disrupted
utilities, especially electricity, water and gas.
- Boarding up windows is a necessity for homes exposed to high winds.
Have nails and boards on hand for this purpose.
- Do not tape up windows! This only causes flying glass to stay in
large chunks, which may do more harm than good. Tape will not prevent
your windows from breaking in the stronger winds of a hurricane!
- Close drapes across windows to minimize flying glass.
- Bring in or secure all loose outdoor objects to prevent them from
- Brace garage doors and avoid opening any door on the windward side of
- Obtain bottled water or fill a cleaned bathtub. Local water supplies
often become contaminated after hurricanes. Wells should be tested
for contamination before using them after a hurricane or tropical
storm. You should have enough water to supply each person in your
family with one gallon of water per day for sanitation and drinking
for at least 3 days.
- Have plenty of batteries on hand for flash lights, AM/FM radios, and
your NOAA weather radio.
- Do not use candles. Many people have been injured or killed during
and after hurricanes from fires started by candles.
- Have non-perishable food that does not need refrigeration or much
cooking on hand. Keep a manual can opener for use with canned foods.
It is almost a certainty that electrical and phone power will be
disrupted after a hurricane. Again have enough food to get through
at least 3 days.
- If you have a portable generator: Be sure it is properly connected
to the main power supply. If it is not, it may do damage to the main
power supply of your home.
The "Often Forgotten" River Flood Threat
While most Southern New Englanders relate hurricanes to severe coastal
flooding, and rightfully so, history shows us that 15 tropical storms and
hurricanes since 1900 have caused significant inland small stream and river
- Know where the closest storm shelter is located, and the
quickest route to it.
- Be ready to evacuate immediately if flooding occurs or is
expected to occur.
- If the inland river flood threat is high, you may wish to
evacuate now before the hurricane hits.
- Like coastal residents and boat owners, have pictures and
descriptions of items in your home for insurance purposes.
- Make sure you get refills on needed prescriptions and other
personal supplies. Have enough to last at least 3 days.
- Have a full tank of fuel in your car.
- If time allows, you may want to stop at the bank to have extra
money on hand. Automatic teller machines will not work should
the power be disrupted. Credit and debit cards may not work if
the phone or satellites systems they rely on are disrupted.
If you follow these steps when a hurricane watch is issued, you will be
better prepared and ready to act quickly and calmly should the watch be
upgraded to a warning.
Learn more about Hurricane Preparedness from the National Hurricane Center.
April to May of each year is the best time to take action to protect
your family and property.