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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1007 AM EDT Friday June 1 2012
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November
30th. In an average season...based on data from 1981 to 2010, 12
named tropical cyclones should be expected with 6 of these reaching
hurricane intensityand 3 of these hurricanes becoming major
hurricanes (category 3 or higher).
The official NOAA 2012 Atlantic hurricane season outlook indicates
a 50 percent probability of a near normal season, a 25 percent
probability of an above normal season and a 25 percent probability
of a below normal season. This outlook calls for a 70 percent
probability of 9-15 named storms, with 4-8 likely to reach hurricane
intensity, and 1-3 of these to become major hurricanes (category 3 or higher).
For additional details on the NOAA 2012 hurricane outlook please visit:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane.shtml
The names used for the 2010 season will be...
| Name |
Pronunciation |
Name |
Pronunciation |
Alberto |
al-BAIR-toe |
Leslie |
LEHZ-lee |
Beryl |
BER-ril |
Michael |
MY-kuhl |
Chris |
kris |
Nadine |
nay-DEEN |
Debby |
DEH-bee |
Oscar |
AHS-kur |
Ernesto |
er-NES-toe |
Patty |
PAT-ee |
Florence |
FLOOR-ents |
Rafael |
rah-fay-ELL |
Gordon |
GOR-duhn |
Sandy |
SAN-dee |
Helene |
heh-LEEN |
Tony |
TOH-nee |
Isaac |
EYE-zik |
Valerie |
VAH-lur-ee |
Joyce |
joyss |
William |
WILL-yum |
Kirk |
kurk |
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Tropical cyclones are certainly no strangers to southern New England.
Since 1900 a total of 53 tropical systems have impacted southern New
England in one way or another. Some brought just light amounts of
Rain and wind...while others have brought torrential rains and flash
Flooding...devastating storm surges and destructive winds. The most
recent was Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. Irene brought damaging winds
to portions of eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island and devastating
rainfall and flooding to portions of Connecticut...western Massachusetts
and southwest New Hampshire into southern Vermont.
All told...Irene caused nearly 16 billion dollars in damage as well
as 49 direct deaths...41 or which occurred in the United States. Most
of these deaths resulted from rainfall-induced floods. Tropical cyclones
are not just a risk for those living close to the coast.
For southern New England, this season marks the 58th anniversary of one of
the most destructive hurricane seasons in our history, the Summer of 1954.
The 1954 season brought New England hurricanes Carol and Edna. These powerful
hurricanes struck just 11 days apart, with Carol arriving on August 31st,
followed by Edna on September 11th. These two storms combined to produce
millions of dollars worth of damage to homes, businesses and the boating
industry, as well as claiming dozens of lives due to storm surge and
river-related flooding.
As this tropical cyclone season begins, now is an excellent time to begin your
own preparations. Your National Weather Service would like to suggest these
helpful measures. Taking a few moments now will save much needed time should
a tropical storm or hurricane take aim at Southern New England later this
season.
Coastal Residents
- Begin purchasing supplies needed to protect your property now. Some
items, such as plywood and batteries, may run out of stock in the
rush just before the arrival of a tropical storm or hurricane.
- Never plan your actions on the anticipated time of landfall.
Typically in Southern New England, heavy rains and winds to tropical
storm force will make any travel or outdoor preparation work dangerous
as much as 15 hours in advance of the eye of the storm. All outside
preparations should be completed before the onset of tropical storm
force winds (39 to 73 mph).
- Remember that most tropical systems approaching our region will
accelerate dramatically. This will greatly reduce the time you have
to prepare. Build extra time into your plan of action.
- Never step outside during the passage of the eye. The often calm
conditions will be rapidly replaced by a dramatic shift in wind
direction and a return to hurricane or tropical storm force winds.
- Know your evacuation routes and the proper shelters for your area.
Check with your local town hall to see if you are in an evacuation zone.
- Some shelters will not allow pets. Make arrangements ahead of time for
a place for your pets to stay. Contact your local emergency management
officials for information on which nearby shelters accept pets. Some
animal hospitals offer to keep pets until you are able to return
home.
- Know where your gas and water shutoffs are. It is essential that you
turn off both your gas and water before you leave your home. This
reduces the risk of additional damage to your home when these services
are restored after an interruption. Turning off the electricity at the
main panel is also a good idea.
- If you choose not to head to a shelter, make arrangements now with
relatives or friends if you wish to stay with them should you need to
evacuate. Remember, you only need to evacuate to a safe location which
can withstand the expected wind speeds and is not subject to
freshwater or coastal flooding.
The Marine Community
- Inspect your lines at the start of the season. If you are anchored in
a mooring field, inspect the chain between your pennant and the
mooring. Salt water begins to corrode these chains after just 2
seasons in the water. But this is often unseen by the boat owner.
- Boat owners should have all the necessary gear on board to properly
tie down their vessel. You will lose precious time if you have to rush
around searching for gear when a storm is approaching.
- Realize that you may not be able to pull your boat out of the water
before a storm threatens. Your only alternative will be to tie the
vessel down.
- Have a plan worked out with the marina operator so there are no
questions or any confusion when the time comes to tie up or pull the
boat out of the water.
- Be sure to take pictures and make a written description of the
vessel. This may be used after the storm passes for insurance
purposes.
- Ensure that your vessel is as watertight as possible.
- When you are through, help your neighbor. It only takes one poorly
tied boat in a marina to destroy the entire dock.
Inland Residents
- Be sure to have plenty of batteries on hand for flashlights, AM/FM
radios, and your NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio. More often than not,
power will be disrupted during the storm and may be disrupted for
several days.
- Be sure to have canned food and other items on hand that do not need
refrigeration. As stated above, it is almost a certainty that
electrical and telephone systems will be disrupted if a hurricane
strikes our region. Have a manual can opener in your emergency
preparedness kit.
- If you own a portable generator, be sure it is properly hooked into
the power supply. If it is not properly installed, it may do damage
to the main power supply or injure electrical workers trying to
restore power in your neighborhood.
- Store plywood and plenty of nails so that you can quickly board up
windows on open-facing sides of your home. Do not use masking tape to
secure windows, it will not help. Boards should be at least 5/8 inch
thick for the best protection.
- Those living along flood-prone rivers and streams should be ready to
head to higher ground should flooding occur.
- In case of the unlikely event that you must evacuate, know where your
nearest storm shelter is located, and the quickest route to it.
Following these simple steps will help make what can be a very stressful
and difficult time go a bit more smoothly.
Belk/NWS Taunton
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www.nws.noaa.gov 
