LATE BREAKING NEWS!!!

 

MEMA OFFERS TIPS TO AS HURRICANE IRENE APPROACHES

 

FRAMINGHAM, MA – As Hurricane Irene approaches, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) recommends a number of steps people can take now to help minimize potential damage from the damaging winds and torrential rains.

 

“Early planning and preparation can be the key to your safety,” states MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz.  “It is important to use your time wisely and not wait until the last minute.”

 

Here are some examples of steps you should be taking:

 

·        Trim back trees and shrubbery around your home. Remove diseased or damaged tree limbs that could be blown down, causing damage, during a storm.

·        Clear clogged rain gutters. Hurricanes/tropical storms often bring torrential rain. Providing clear drainage will help prevent misdirected flooding.

·        Bring in outdoor items to bring inside such as lawn furniture, trash barrels, hanging plants, toys and awnings that can be broken or picked up by strong winds and used as a missile.

·        Make sure storage sheds, children’s playhouses or other outbuildings are securely anchored, either to a permanent foundation or with straps and ground anchors.

·        Elevate articles in your basement that could be damaged from even minor flooding.

·        Make temporary plywood covers to protect windows and sliding doors. Drill holes for screws or lag bolts in each cover and around each window. Note: Taping of windows does not prevent them from breaking.

·        Keep your vehicles fully fuelled.

·        Have a certain amount of cash available.  If power is lost, ATMs may not be working.

·        Make a record of your personal property.  Keep an itemized list of your furniture, clothing and valuables to assist adjusters in case of a claim. Back it up with photographs or video.

·        Protect your insurance policies and other important documents in a secure place like a safe deposit box or a watertight box. Many people back up important documents online.

·        Learn where gas pilots and water mains are located and how to safely shut off all utilities.

·        Lock doors and windows to ensure that they are closed tight to help protect against strong winds and rain.

 

Have a Kit

Every home and business should have a stocked basic emergency supply kit that could be used for any emergency, in the event you are isolated for three to five days without power. Each kit will be unique to each family, but should include a portable radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a supply of non-perishable foods, along with bottled water, a first aid kit, extra prescription medication, and extra food and supplies for infants and pets.

 

Make a Plan

Develop a Family Emergency Communications Plan in case family members are separated from one another during the storm. This plan should also address reunification after the immediate crisis passes. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the Family Emergency Communications Plan contact person.  During and immediately after a disaster occurs, it is often easier to access a long distance telephone number than a local one. Also, calling outside a disaster area is usually easier than calling into the same area.

 

Be Informed

You should contact your local Emergency Management Director to familiarize yourself with your Community’s Emergency Plans, particularly potential evacuation routes and shelter locations before an emergency situation occurs.”

 

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Hurricane Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Follow MEMA updates on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 11:36 AM

Subject: Division of Insurance Offers Hurricane Preparedness Tips


  Division of Insurance Offers Hurricane Preparedness Tips

 

 Peter W. Judge

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

400 Worcester Road

Framingham, MA 01702-5399

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For immediate release – August 25, 2011

 

CONTACT:

Jason Lefferts

(617) 973-8767


Patrick-Murray Administration’s Division of Insurance and Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Encourage Preparedness in Advance of Hurricane Irene

 

BOSTON – Thursday, August 25, 2011 – With the potential impact of Hurricane Irene on portions of Massachusetts late this weekend, the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Division of Insurance and Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation are encouraging homeowners to take proactive steps to protect their property from flood and wind damage.

 

Forecasters are currently predicting the effects of Hurricane Irene could impact a significant portion of Massachusetts, bringing heavy rain and severe wind. Coastal areas could see hurricane-force winds and a storm surge, and much of the state could see heavy rain, up to six inches or more.

 

“Even a glancing blow from a storm of this nature can create serious damage to a home, especially a coastal property that may be exposed to strong winds,” said Barbara Anthony, the Undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. “Homeowners need to be prepared and take steps that can reduce some of the potential impacts of this storm. A little extra work now can go a long way.”

 

Homeowners are encouraged to review their policies and make sure they know what is covered. Generally, flood damage caused “from above,” like heavy rain, is likely covered by homeowner’s insurance. However, flood damage “from below,” like through basement walls or sewer backups, are not. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program. Homeowners’ and personal property insurance covers damage associated with wind, like falling tree limbs.

 

In some areas of the state, like Cape Cod, many insurers include wind deductibles as part of a policy. Most carriers apply the deductible as a percentage to the dwelling limit on the policy, ranging from 1 to 5 percent. For example, a deductible of three percent and a $200,000 dwelling limit means the homeowner pays all covered wind-related losses up to $6,000 before the insurance company pays for any losses.

 

To prepare for this storm or other high-rain or -wind storms, the Division of Insurance and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation suggest the following tips.

 

For flood preparation:

  1. •Raise or anchor equipment below base flood elevation;

  2. •Install or maintain a sump pump;

  3. •Place sandbags at doors or windows that are on ground level;

  4. •Learn the emergency flood plan for the area;

  5. •Prepare an emergency kit including a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food, first-aid kit, battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries.

 

For high-wind preparation:

  1. •Trim dead wood and weak or overhanging branches from all trees;

  2. •Check and secure anchoring for covered porches;

  3. •Reinforce garage doors so that they are able to withstand high winds;

  4. •Install tie-downs for sheds, fuel tanks, television antennas and dishes, and woodpiles;

  5. •Install hurricane shutters or ¾-inch thick outdoor plywood to each window, along with shatterproof glass;

  6. •Install head and foot bolts to doors;

  7. •Reinforce your roof. Install hurricane straps or clips to help keep your roof attached to the walls.

 

After the storm:

  1. •Be safe. Do not try to re-enter your home or attempt repairs until it is safe to do so;

  2. •Keep children and pets away from down or low-hanging power lines;

  3. •Contact your insurance company as soon as possible;

  4. •Do not make permanent repairs until the adjuster has inspected the property - but do take action to prevent further damage, like covering holes in the roof or removing water;

  5. •Take pictures of any storm related damage to your property or belongings, particularly if you must throw away items of value that are bacteria-laden;

  6. •Keep a record of all your receipts, and document any time you spent securing your property, and your conversations with the insurance company.

 

Consumers with insurance concerns should contact the Division of Insurance at (888) 563-4467 or (617) 521-7794. For more information on disaster preparedness and planning visit the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation website. The Division of Insurance is an agency within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Follow the Office at www.mass.gov/consumer, its Consumer Connections Blog and at its Twitter feed,@Mass_Consumer.

 

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Jason Lefferts

Director of Communications

Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

(617) 973-8767

(617) 930-4578 (cell)

jason.lefferts@state.ma.us

 

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT!


Emergency Preparedness must begin at home. It is the personal responsibility of each and every person to "BE PREPARED" in the event of an emergency. If we are prepared we will see to it that our family members understand the need to BE PREPARED. If our family is PREPARED we can hope that families will take an interest and an initiative in seeing that their neighborhood, their community, their state and their country are also PREPARED for that unexpected emergency.

The general public MUST UNDERSTAND that if a major catastrophic event occurs local, state and national public safety resources may not be sufficient to meet local demands. Tough economic times are faced by many;  municipal budgets are under great pressure and municipal services are being cut or stabilized.  If an emergent event occurs and that event affects your neighborhood, your community,  or your region the public must understand that your call to 911 may result in a delayed response. Your need to be PREPARED is therefore CRITICAL!

If you have any questions or would like assistance with your preparation, please don’t hesistate to contact Doug Leard at dougleard@realtour4u.com or at 508-922-5778.

Thank you and have a GOOD day!!!