City of Newburyport Prepares for Tropical Storm Henri 

NEWBURYPORT — Mayor Donna D. Holaday and Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Christopher LeClaire are alerting all Newburyport residents about the dangers of the forecasted Tropical Storm Henri, expected to strengthen to a hurricane and strike New England on Sunday evening.

“The City of Newburyport is taking all precautions as Henri looks to make landfall somewhere in New England in the next few days,” Mayor Holaday said. “We urge everyone to read and follow the guidance from the experts to keep you and your family safe during this dangerous storm.”

Residents are asked to be alert and prepare to take the necessary safety precautions. Residents should prepare for the possibility of utility disruptions, including power and possible water/sewer disruption during the storm. Plum Island residents, especially residents in existing problematic areas such as Reservation Terrace, will have water service suspended to prevent systemwide problems during Henri’s landfall.

It is suggested that Plum Island residents who have alternate housing, especially those in historically problematic areas, should leave the island. No evacuation orders have been issued, however.  

“We are preparing for the worst, as New England has not seen a hurricane in three decades,” Chief LeClare said. “Residents should take all necessary precautions and be prepared for the loss of power and other utility services.”

Residents should not call 911 to report a power outage. Save the 911 phone lines for life-threatening emergencies, please.

According to the National Hurricane Center, as of 5 a.m. Friday, Tropical Storm Henri is moving west-northwest over the western Atlantic and is about 780 miles south-southwest of Nantucket. 

There remains some uncertainty in the track, but models are strongly suggesting that New England may late Sunday have its first direct hurricane strike since Hurricane Bob in 1991.

Henri is forecast to intensify into a hurricane on Friday with additional strengthening predicted to occur this weekend. There is a potential for tropical storm and hurricane force winds along with rough seas. Swells from Henri are expected to reach the east coast Friday and continue through the weekend. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents. 

There is a Hurricane Watch in effect for parts of Southern New England, and a Storm Surge Watch for parts of the South Shore of Massachusetts. However, advisories and watches are expected to be issued for the local area. Residents are urged to stay alert and monitor the local forecast. 

Newburyport officials are receiving briefings as the situation is updated, and are staying current on storm tracks and forecasts to ensure staffing is in place to deal with any emergency that arises. Newburyport has called in additional public safety and emergency management staff.

Stay informed by receiving alerts, warnings, and public safety information before, during and after emergencies.

Safety precautions residents should follow to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm include: 

• Don’t go out during a hurricane or tropical storm, if possible.
• Check flashlights and portable radios to confirm they’re working. Fully charge your cell phone, laptop and any other devices before the storm.
• Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• If you own a car, making sure its gas tank is at least half full in the event you need to travel. Purchase a car phone charger so that you can charge your device if you lose power at your home.
• Ensure that you have an emergency kit that has basic medicine and bandages. Include disinfectants, hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies that you may need in an emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Have an emergency food supply in case of a power outage. People should have supplies to sustain their families for at least 72 hours.
• Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator or freezer door.
• Prepare your home by securing or bringing in outdoor objects (patio furniture, children’s toys, trash cans, etc.) that could be swept away or damaged during strong winds or flooding. Also, elevate items in your basement in case of flooding, check your sump pump, unplug sensitive electronic equipment, park vehicles in areas that are unlikely to flood
• MEMA recommends purchasing a generator to maintain electricity in an outage. NEVER run a generator indoors, in a garage. The exhaust must ALWAYS face away from the home or home air intakes.
• Pack a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don’t forget to include needed medications and any valuable personal belongings.
• Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions and those who may need additional assistance.

In the event of a hurricane, residents are also encouraged to know if they live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone, develop a family emergency plan and create an emergency kit. 

Residents are also encouraged to follow tips provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in the event of flooding:

• Don’t attempt to drive through large puddles or on flooded roads, which could threaten your safety. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
• If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.
• If floodwaters rise around your car and the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
• Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

After a storm passes through the area, residents should remain cautious. Heavy rain and strong winds can cause a multitude of problems like power outages, fallen debris and floods that often block roads and emergency vehicles, prolonging damage.

• Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies, including downed power lines and gas leaks.
• Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live.
• If your power is out, follow MEMA’s power outage safety tips. Report power outages to your utility company. Do not call 9-1-1 to report an outage or to ask about power restoration.  

Additional tropical storm and hurricane safety tips offered by MEMA can be found here.

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• Category: Nearby News