Emergency Management Department Tips to Prepare Community for 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season

What you should know about Hurricanes;

  • Know what to do before, during, and after a hurricane.
  • Prepare before hurricane season starts. Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1.
  • Create an emergency communication plan with your family before a hurricane.
  • Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work, and in the car. 
  • Check your insurance coverage, damages caused by flooding are not covered under normal homeowner’s insurance policies.
  • Know our areas evacuation plans and evacuation routes and how to receive alerts from the MWT Emergency Alert Notification System.
  • Listen to local officials and MWT Emergency Response Personnel. 

Make A Plan for Your Family

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Department encourages our Tribal community to make a plan today.  Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could impact our area.  Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.  Please reach out to the Emergency Management Department for assistance with putting together your family emergency plan, see steps below with Questions and Answers to assist in the process.   

Step 1: Put together a plan by discussing these 4 questions with your family, friends, or household to start your emergency plan.

Q. - How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?

A.-  Provide your contact information to the Emergency Management Department in order to receive alerts and warnings through, phone, email and text.

Q. - What is my shelter plan?

A. – On Cape Cod the majority of residents in our community utilize the Barnstable County Regional Sheltering System, there is also the option to shelter in place and at times the C & G Center could be utilized.   Also, please feel free to reach out to the Emergency Management Department for specific details and shelter information.

Q.-  What is my evacuation route?

A.- Tribal members residing on Cape Cod would utilize the Cape Cod Emergency Traffic Plan for evacuations.   Please contact the Emergency Management Department for specific information and to be added to the evacuation assistance list.

What is my family/household communication plan?

Step 2:  Consider specific needs in your household.

As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in your network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like the operation of durable medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance.  Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:

  • Different ages of members within your household
  • Responsibilities for assisting others
  • Locations frequented
  • Dietary needs
  • Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
  • Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
  • Languages spoken
  • Cultural and religious considerations
  • Pets or service animals
  • Households with school-aged children

Step 3: Fill out a Family Emergency Plan

Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use them as a guide to create your own.

Emergency Plan for Parents (PDF)

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household

For more information and assistance with Hurricane Preparedness for the 2018 season please contact the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Department at; Emergency Management Director Nelson.Andrewsjr@mwtribe-nsn.gov  (508) 477-5800 Ext 15 and Emergency Preparedness Specialist Allyssa.Hathaway@mwtribe-nsn.gov (508) 477-5800 Ext. 13