Lyme Ambulance Association, Inc.
Hurricanes
2021
A direct hit from a hurricane is uncommon in Connecticut. Uncommon… but not unexpected. Four hits in the last 100 years. It’s been 36 years since the last one and weather experts worry we’re due.
- 1938 – Category 3 – unnamed
- 1954 – Category 2 – ‘Carol’
- 1960 – Category 1 – ‘Donna’
- 1985 – Category 1 – ‘Gloria’
But a hurricane doesn’t have to make landfall in Connecticut to cause death and destruction. Storms coming ashore in Rhode Island, New York, or New Jersey can create dangerous hurricane conditions for us as well. Most recently, ‘Ida’ reminded us that even remnants of a hurricane landing 1,500 miles away can wreak havoc in the Northeast.
You need to be prepared.
Is your house
hurricane-ready?
The best time to start preparing is well before any CT-bound tropical depression even thinks of churning into a hurricane. Make your house as hurricane-ready as you can before the next one hits:
- Remove tree limbs overhanging the house and take down diseased or weak trees that could fall on the house
- Consider storm shutters or high impact windows if your house is exposed and vulnerable to strong winds
- Use the sturdier ‘architect’ shingles if you’re replacing your roof — they can withstand winds up to 130 mph.
Hurricane on the way?
Things to do:
Disabled? Need help?
If you or someone you know is disabled, dependent on supplemental oxygen, living alone, or unable to drive and would need help evacuating to safety in an emergency, let us know. We will add the information to our confidential list of people to check on and provide help, if needed, in an emergency like a hurricane. Contact:
Ariana Eaton
Special Needs Coordinator
Lyme’s Department of
Emergency Management
(860) 510-2815
ariana.eaton@lymeambulance.org
– PREPARE –
Hurricane Watch
A watch means hurricane conditions are possible for the area. A watch is issued 48 hours before the expected onset of tropical-storm-force winds (sustained winds of 39-73 mph)
Monitor weather news
Discuss hurricane safety and preparations with all household members
Ensure gutters and downspouts are clear and feed away from the cellar
Know how to turn off utilities at the source
Fill food storage bags 3/4 full of water and freeze
In a power outage, a FULL, unopened freezer will maintain temperature for about 48 hours. Use frozen water-filled food storage bags to keep your freezer as full as possible
Top up your vehicle’s gas tank; get extra gas if you have a generator but don’t be a gas hog
Refill your prescriptions if running low
Decide where to set up your ‘hunker-down’ room; ideally, a room with no windows on the lowest flood-safe level in the house — this is where your family will stay during the height of the storm
Make sure you have bottled water and non-perishable food in the house
Have an ice cooler handy to store perishable food; make ice for later use
In a pinch, use your washing machine tub as a cooler: surround food from the fridge with ice and shut the washing machine lid. It should keep food (like milk) cold for the hurricane duration
Check/replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors
Get extra cash in case ATMs aren’t working after the storm
Gather emergency supplies (see suggestions here)
Keep a paper copy of emergency contacts handy (even if you already have them on your phone)
Take exterior and interior photos of your house for a possible insurance claim after the storm
Make scans or take photos of important documents and key IDs (e.g., driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, insurance cards/policies, etc.) and upload to a secure cloud server; include the photos you took of the house/contents
Ask children to pick the books/games/toys they’d like to have in the ‘hunker-down’ room
Keep an emergency kit in your car (potable water, granola bars, first aid kit, blanket, life jackets, etc.)
Assess your flood risk and flooding status (USGS water dashboard)
Know your evacuation route and shelter — find out from the Lyme Town Hall before the storm
Do NOT think to ‘ride out the storm’ in a mobile home or camper: Seriously, plan to evacuate
– FINISH PREPARATIONS –
Hurricane Warning
A warning means hurricane conditions (sustained winds of at least 74 mph) are expected somewhere in the specified area. A warning is issued 36 hours before the anticipated arrival of tropical-storm-force winds
Clear the yard of anything that might blow around (garbage cans, bikes, outdoor furniture, etc.)
Plan, on the day of the storm, to place refrigerator food you will need in an ice cooler and set the fridge temp to its lowest setting: don’t open the refrigerator door again during the hurricane (when the power goes out the food in the refrigerator will last about four hours)
Fill the bathtub with water for flushing the toilet when the power’s out
Equip the ‘hunker-down’ room with supplies needed for the duration of the hurricane, including a battery-operated radio and some/all of the items on this list
Be sure to include the toys/books/games your children selected as well as supplies for pets (including crates, carriers, leashes, food, bowls, beds)
Plan to keep pets crated or on leash for the duration of the storm; improvise a pet potty area by filling a small plastic kiddie pool with sod — keep newspaper, paper towels and garbage bags on hand
Consider bringing a fire extinguisher, axe, tool kit, tarp, inflatable mattress, bed linens and blankets to the ‘hunker-down’ room; think now of anything else you might need
Move vehicles to the garage and latch the garage door; or move them to high ground if flood-prone
Be prepared to close storm shutters (if you have them) before tropical-storm-force winds arrive
Relocate furniture/rugs away from windows; remove valuable painting/photos from exterior walls
Store important papers and small valuables in a waterproof bag or a sealable food storage bag
Valuables can be stored in the dishwasher (with door latched tight) to keep them safe in the event of house damage or flooding
Charge cell phones, tablets, e-readers; make sure any portable chargers are also fully charged
Check in with neighbors and family to share hurricane plans
Check on the elderly or disabled in your neighborhood: Do they need help? A ride to the shelter?
Designate a non-local friend or relative as the coordinator for your family if utilities are down or spotty
Close and lock all windows and doors before the storm arrives; shut all interior doors too to reduce pressure on the roof
Contrary to what many people think, you should NOT crack open a window during a hurricane. Even a slightly opened window adds pressure inside the house which can cause damage
Unplug expensive electronics and peripherals to protect them from power surges even if you have surge protectors; remember surges can come through cable/data lines as well so you may want to temporarily disconnect your router too
Remove the propane tank from the outdoor barbecue and store both in the garage; do not use the barbecue in the garage!
Pack a ‘go bag’ in case you need to evacuate; see this list for items to take if you’re going to a shelter
Decide whether to evacuate before the storm hits
Do NOT drive through moving water — you don’t know how deep it is or when it’s suddenly going to become a torrent.
– HUNKER-DOWN –
Hurricane Arrival
Category 1 = 74-95 mph; Category 2 = 96-110 mph; Category 3 = 111-130 mph; Category 4 = 131-155 mph; Category 5 = 155+ mph
Stay away from windows and doors
Keep household members and pets in the ‘hunker-down’ room along with your emergency supplies
Do not walk outside to ‘feel the wind’ — you could be injured or killed by falling limbs or flying debris
Do not take a bath or shower during the storm; lightning (frequent in hurricanes) can travel through pipes
Never use gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning generators or camp stoves inside the house; carbon monoxide can’t be seen or smelled but kills quickly
Do not use candles: use flashlights, headlamps, or battery-powered lanterns instead of candles
Limit cell phone use so emergency calls can get through
Stay tuned to an emergency/weather radio or regular transistor radio for storm updates and guidance
– ACT QUICKLY –
Hurricane Flooding
Most (88%) hurricane fatalities are from water, not wind: storm surge alone accounts for half of all deaths; further inland, the risk comes from rivers and streams
Leave quickly if flooding is likely, unplug appliances and turn off power at the main source (if you can do so SAFELY)
Grab the ‘go bag’
Keep your vehicle on high ground if you live in a flood-prone area so it’s available for evacuation
Take life jackets, tall rubber boots, rain ponchos, and disposable gloves with you in the car
Don’t drive thru moving water!
Just 6 inches of water can cause loss of control or stall your vehicle
Stay out of flood water!
Risks from downed power lines, animal waste, dangerous debris, snakes, and more
Contact with flood water? Wash you hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer; treat any wound that’s come in contact with flood water with disinfectant/antibiotic cream
Keep a very close eye on children and pets around flood water even when it’s mostly receded
Never use damp electronics
Better to have and not need
than need and not have
You may not need all the items suggested below during a hurricane, but if you want to play it safe, plan for both the likely scenario and the worst-case, including evacuating your home.
Prepare a ‘Go Bag’ with essential supplies you’ll need for your family if relocating to a shelter. Suggestions for items from the ‘hunker-down’ list that you can also take to a shelter are highlighted in blue. Do not overpack; storage space can be scarce in a shelter. If you have dogs or cats, check in advance to make sure your designated shelter allows pets. If not allowed, they may be able to stay in your car parked at the shelter.
- Non-perishable food and water for at least 3 days
- Plan on 1 gallon of drinkable water per person per day; extra if pets in the household
- Choose high protein/energy food like granola bars, nuts, peanut butter and jelly, tuna fish, cereal
- Stay hydrated; avoid junk food and alcohol
- Thermos of hot coffee/tea and a cooler with ice for perishable food like milk, butter, or yogurt
- Paper plates, plastic utensils and cups, napkins: you may not feel like eating, but try; keep up your strength
- First-aid kit and over-the-counter remedies
- Hand-crank or battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- Lighter or matches
- Flashlights, battery-powered lanterns, headlamp, and extra batteries for all
- Manual can opener
- Scissors, utility knife, work gloves, duct tape, toolbox, axe, tarps, fire extinguisher
- inflatable mattress
- Toilet paper, paper towels, disinfecting wipes, and garbage bags; plus a portable commode if you have one
- Insect repellant
- Prescription medicines, eyeglasses, dentures
- Pillows, blankets or sleeping bag(s)
- Small flashlight
- Cell phone and portable charger
- Masks and hand sanitizer
- Wallet/purse, car keys and house keys, but do not bring jewelry or weapons to the shelter
- Copies of important documents (drivers license, birth certificates, insurance policies, etc.) if you haven’t saved them to the cloud already
- A change of seasonal clothes, underwear, socks, rain gear, extra shoes
- Soap, toothbrush, towels, personal hygiene and sanitation products
- Baby supplies; one or two books/toys for children; books/e-reader/tablet for adults and teens
- Cat carrier, dog crate, pet food, collars (with ID/rabies tag), leashes, bed, medicine
– ASSESS –
After the Storm
Careful entering the house if you’re returning home: there may be unstable structural damage
Check appliances and gas and electrical lines for damage: don’t attempt to repair damaged lines yourself!
If water damage, do not use appliances
Check your trees for damage: any tree limbs broken and at risk of falling?
Do not use a chainsaw if you are inexperienced: now’s not the time to learn
Do not do too much too fast: heart attacks are a leading cause of death after hurricanes; pace yourself
Check for official guidance: Need to boil water? Power restoration estimate?
Don’t drive unnecessarily: roads may be blocked and bridges weakened from flooding. See a barrier? Turn around!
Do not use phones (including cellular) unnecessarily: leave lines open for emergency calls
Report any fallen power lines
Throw out perishable food from the refrigerator if power’s been out 4+ hours
Do not use candles: use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns if power is out
Careful around wildlife and unknown stray pets: hurricanes are traumatic events for everyone
Do not let children or pets play outside until you are sure it’s safe (if there’s flood water, it’s not safe!)
Check on your neighbors; share tales, tools, and other resources
Sources: cdc.gov; chubb.com; ct.gov; fema.gov; hurricanesafety.org; nhc.noaa.gov; ready.gov; redcross.org; weather.gov; yaleclimateconnections.org