Kiley Law Group: How to be Prepared for New England’s Natural Disaters

Parts of the U.S. are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, while the west coast is dealing with the wildfires in California that continue to rage on. Meanwhile, reports of earthquakes are coming out of Mexico and Central America where other hurricanes continue to make landfall as well.

New Englanders may feel removed from those disasters by distance, but there is no arguing that natural disasters have a home here too.

New England Natural Disasters

Though thousands of miles from America’s “tornado-alley,” the Tornado History Project reported that 162 tornadoes have touched down in Massachusetts alone between 1950 and 2014. That’s about three tornadoes per year. The Boston Globe says that “the National Weather Service predicts Massachusetts will have one strong-to-violent tornado each year. To date, the state has seen 50 strong-to-violent tornadoes, seven of which were deadly.”

New England is also well known for its winter weather and chilly temperatures. The most recent ice storm of 2008 left millions without power across the whole region, far exceeding the 1998 ice storm outages.

“This is pathetic,” Fox News quoted Bob Cott of Portland, Maine, “I’m already sick of winter and we have nine days to go before it officially begins.”

Even hotels and shelters had no power. In the same story, New Hampshire resident Mark Cegelis was quoted from a neighborhood gas station that was jammed with people trying to get gas for their generators.

“It’s kind of lawless out there right now,” he said. “There’s a lot of people very frustrated stacking up at the gas stations. It’s pretty ugly.”

Between the hurricane force winds that come from the likes of Hurricane Jose, Nor’Easters, and tornadoes – anybody can find themselves in the middle of a disaster. It pays to be ready.

Prepare for Disasters

General Tips

Many organizations have general tips for being prepared for any type of disaster.

Make a family communication plan – Family members may be in different locations during a disaster. Have a plan to contact each other.
Have an out-of-town emergency contact – This is someone to contact to advise of your safety after an event, or if in distress and needing help.
Have an escape plan – Have two meeting places – one near home and one outside your neighborhood.
Have an emergency kit at home – This includes a first-aid kit, non-perishable foods and water for the aftermath of the storm, and a radio to keep track of the disaster.
Get gas early – If power goes out, if an evacuation is ordered, or if a storm is tracking, it’s important to have a vehicle ready and/or fuel for the generator ahead of the storm.
Be prepared for the aftermath – There may be no power, no internet or cell service after a disaster. Make a list of important information such as phone numbers, medical information, vehicle information, and your bank’s telephone number and banking information.
Have some money on hand – ATMs may not work if the power goes out.
Have important documents in a fireproof safe – This can include birth certificates, ownership certificates for vehicles, Social Security cards, insurance policies, photographs of contents of every room, and photographs of high-value possessions, such as jewelry, paintings and collector’s items.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and City of Boston

When the Power Goes Out

A majority of New England’s disasters will result in power loss. The City of Boston has a “Blackouts” page that has a number of tips.

Here are some highlights:

Fill plastic containers with water and place in the freezer. This will help keep food cold for several hours if the power goes out.
Have a plan for alternative communication if the only phone at home is powered by electricity.
Keep car fuel at least half full, as many gas stations rely on electricity to power the pumps.

The Food and Drug Administration also has tips regarding Food Safety in an emergency.

When There is a Tornado

As noted, tornadoes are becoming more and more prevalent in recent years across New England. Unlike other states where tornadoes are common, there are few places that have alarms or early warning systems in the region. So, a tornado could come as a surprise.

“When there are thunderstorms in your area, turn on your radio or TV to get the latest emergency information from local authorities. Listen for announcements of a tornado watch or tornado warning,” warns the CDC. It’s also important to know the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning.

A Tornado Watch is when meteorologists warn residents to be on the lookout (or on the watch) for a tornado, as the weather conditions favor the formation of tornadoes. A Tornado Warning is when a tornado funnel has been sighted or is indicated by weather radar.

To survive a tornado:

Have a plan where and how to seek shelter.
Go to the basement or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor.
Know where utility and valve switches are so that they can be turned off. Do not turn them back on again after a tornado without consulting a technician.
Know the location of your emergency kit.
Secure household appliances, items and the house ahead of the tornado if it’s prudent.

Source: CDC – Be Prepared for a Tornado.

When There is a Severe Winter Storm

A sort of “disaster” that most New Englanders have experience with comes along with winter weather. Again, the City of Boston has recommended being safe ahead of the storm.

They advise:

Know the difference between a Winter Weather Advisory, Winter Storm Watch, Winter Storm Warning and Blizzard Warning.
Winterize your home and your car ahead of winter.
Sign up for the City of Boston’s Emergency Alert System “Alert Boston”.

Source: City of Boston – Winter Storm and Extreme Cold

Verifying Insurance Coverage

“Make sure that you have enough insurance coverage for your property. Specifically, think about the types of disasters that are common in your area,” said the CDC. In the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, thousands of people are expected to see their insurance claims refused for insufficient coverage.

In next week’s blog, we’ll cover how to file an insurance claim after a natural disaster.