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Dear Friends,
As you may know, June 1 marked the official start of hurricane season nationwide. I wanted to let you know how you can be notified of upcoming storms and prepare for the current hurricane season, which will last through November 30.
The Climate Prediction Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season in 2024, estimating that there will be 17 to 25 tropical storms or hurricanes. As we continue to grapple with climate change, summer storms pose an increasingly severe threat to the safety of our communities. The more precautions we take to protect our families, homes, and businesses, the safer our families will be during and after another major storm.
The following information comes from federal agencies and will help you prepare for severe weather in Connecticut. You can also find more information about hurricane preparedness, track developing storm systems, and sign up for urgent weather updates in Spanish.
Make a Plan
Everyone should have a plan to prepare for an upcoming storm. I encourage you to use the information below to develop a plan that works best for you.
- Discuss the types of hazards or storms that your family and home may encounter. What supplies would you need? How would your family stay in contact with each other?
- Keep important documents in a secure place or create password-protected digital copies.
- Identify safe areas for your family in the event of a storm hazard. These areas may not be in your home but could be elsewhere in your community.
Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes, especially if you live close to the coast.
- Determine escape routes from your home and other places to meet. Craft an evacuation plan should circumstances require you to leave town.
- Appoint an out-of-state friend as a single point of contact for all family members to check in with at designated times.
- Make a plan for your pets in the event of an evacuation. Some hotels do not allow pets, but many do in the case of emergency.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones. Make sure your children know how and when to call 9-1-1.
- Create a disaster supply kit. Stock it with non-perishable emergency food, water, first-aid necessities, supplies, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, and extra batteries.
- Remember to fully charge any electronic devices you may need in the lead-up to the storm.
Stay Informed
The National Weather Service provides continuous broadcasts about forecasts, warnings, current conditions, and more via the NOAA Weather Radio.
The State of Connecticut uses the CT Alert Emergency Notification System (ENS) to notify residents of emergencies. This system allows you to receive updates via text or email and will notify you of changing weather, evacuation orders, and other timely information, even if you lose power or do not have radio or TV access. Click here to register for these updates.
For the towns and cities in our community that do not participate in the CT Alert ENS, please consider signing up for local alerts:
I also encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter, which is how I will pass along helpful information in the event of a major storm. Please remember that although I will send email updates as quickly as circumstances allow, your local first responders and Emergency Operations Centers will be able to provide the best information and assistance should a dangerous situation arise.
Thank you for helping to keep our community safe during this hurricane season.
Sincerely,
Jim
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