Woonsocket EMA, RIEMA Issue Hurricane Warnings

As the category 3 storm makes its way towards the East Coast and residents from the Carolinas to Maine make preparations, Woonsocket Emergency Management Agency has issued a 72-hour notice regarding the impact of Hurricane Irene.

On Saturday evening, the outermost bands of the storm will hit the region in the “pre-event” with rain expected to last through the night. 

The hurricane will arrive before dawn on Sunday is expected to last from 12-18 hours. Rain totals are projected at 6”-12”, and winds are expected to be 100 miles per hour and greater. The area is likely to experience winds that equate to a category 1 or 2 hurricane. 

Irene is projected to track through RI and eastern MA, but there is an associated margin of error of 200 miles for the storm track. Woonsocket EMA warns that the storm could track as far west as western NE and as far east as east of Cape Cod.  Rain fall will be heaviest on the western side of the storm and wind damage will be most severe on the eastern side of the storm.

Flooding in low lying areas is to be expected and power outages are a possibility.  Woonsocket EMA advises that all residents should prepare to be confined to their homes by Saturday afternoon.  Residents should have an emergency kit containing 2-3 days of water, non-perishable foods, portable lights and a supply of batteries.  Any lawn displays should be secured to prevent them from becoming projectiles during the storm. 

The emergency management warning is a 72 hour out notice and could change as the storm weakens/intensifies or changes its’ track.  Updates from Woonsocket EMA will be issued as needed.

In addition to creating an the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency recommends creating an Emergency Communications Plan for families to stay in contact in the event that disaster strikes while members are not together. Asking an out-of-state relative to serve as a contact person can help to address reunification after the immediate crisis passes. During and immediately after a disaster occurs, it is often easier to access a long distance telephone number than a local one. Also, calling outside a disaster area is usually easier than calling into the same area.

For additional resources, visit RIEMA's website at http://www.riema.ri.gov or find additional information on how to plan and prepare for a hurricane by visiting the following federal and national resources:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Ready.gov
• NOAA Hurricane Center
• American Red Cross
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control