June 1 marks the start of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which extends through November 30.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) seasonal outlook predicts another active, above-normal, Atlantic hurricane season – the seventh consecutive above-normal hurricane season. According to the National Hurricane Center, last year was the third most active year on record with 21 named storms.
“Previous storms and past experience have shown us that only one storm can severely impact an entire region. Hurricanes can produce significantly severe weather including storm surge flooding and damaging winds which could potentially lead to long term power outages. Now is the time for everyone to prepare for hurricane season.” – MWT Emergency Management (MWTEMD) Director Nelson Andrews Jr
“Throughout hurricane season, MWTEMD will continue to plan with our federal, county, tribal and state partners, provide preparedness resources, and ensure that our tribe is ready to respond to any storms that may threaten us.”
How Northeast Residents Can Prepare:
Know Your Evacuation Zone - Learn if you live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone: www.mass.gov/knowyourzone. If you live in an area that may flood and may need assistance evacuating, plan with family, neighbors, and friends who may be able to assist, and contact your local public safety officials to make them aware of your needs.
Make an Emergency Plan – Have an emergency plan of how your family would communicate, evacuate, and shelter in place that addresses the needs of all of your family members, including seniors, children, individuals with access and functional needs, and pets: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/make-a-family-emergency-plan. If you receive medical treatment or home health care services, work with your medical provider to determine how to maintain care and service if you are unable to leave your home or have to evacuate.
Build an Emergency Kit - Build an emergency kit that will sustain your household for three to five days without power: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/build-an-emergency-kit.
Stay Informed - Every family should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts. Learn more about different types of alerting and information tools including the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, social and traditional news media, Mass 2-1-1 and local notification systems: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/be-informed-and-receive-emergency-alerts.
Throughout hurricane season, MWTEMD will share preparedness and safety information to help tribal members be aware of, and prepare for, the impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms. For more information, visit the Hurricane Safety Tips section of link https://www.mass.gov/mema/hurricanes.
MWTEMD Hurricane Season Preparedness Activities
In anticipation of the 2022 hurricane season, MWTEMD has begun hurricane preparedness activities which will continue throughout the season:
MWTEMD will convene meetings with Tribal Emergency Response Task Force (TERTF) members as well as state, county, federal partners and contractors to update plans on; distribution of critical commodities, communications, debris management, electricity and utility restoration, evacuations, fuel supplies and distribution, sheltering, mass feeding, impact assessments, search and rescue, and operation of logistics support areas.
About MWTEMD
MWTEMD is the Tribes department charged with ensuring the tribe is prepared to withstand, respond to, and recover from all types of emergencies and disasters, including natural hazards, accidents, deliberate attacks, and technological and infrastructure failures. MWTEMD's staff consists of experienced professional planning, communications, logistics and operations staff that are committed to an all hazards approach to emergency management. By building and sustaining effective partnerships with federal, tribal, state and local government agencies – MWTEMD ensures the Tribe’s ability to rapidly recover from large and small disasters by assessing and mitigating threats and hazards, enhancing preparedness, ensuring effective response, and strengthening our capacity to rebuild and recover. For additional information about MWTEMD and Emergency Preparedness, go to https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/emergency-preparedness
Continue to follow MWTEMD updates on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mwteprep/ ; and Website at https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/emergency-preparedness
