Marion Chief of Police Richard Nighelli and Fire Chief Brian Jackvony, the town’s Emergency Management director and deputy director, shared guidance on hurricane awareness and preparedness this season.
Governor Maura Healey proclaimed July 9-15 as Hurricane Preparedness Week, and June 1 marked the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season (through November 30.)
The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have offered several tips to help residents better prepare for storm surges, strong winds and flooding.
Evacuate when ordered to do so, before those conditions hit your area. Know and follow the directions from local officials and follow posted evacuation routes. Visit mass.gov/knowyourzone to learn if you live or work in a hurricane-evacuation zone.
Have an emergency plan to communicate, evacuate and shelter in place. Discuss with your family, friends, or household: emergency alerts and warnings; shelter plan; evacuation route and your family/household communication plan.
Consider specific needs for seniors, children, those with access and functional needs (including devices and equipment) and pets. Dietary needs, medical needs, including prescriptions and equipment, disabilities and cultural and religious considerations should all be taken into account.
Fill out a Family Emergency Plan. A sample plan can be found at ready.gov/plan-form.
Practice your plan with your family/household.
Should shelter plans be activated in Marion in the case of a hurricane, Marion’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), established in June 2021, will have a key role.
Build an emergency kit for 3-5 days with: food and water; battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert; flashlight and extra batteries; first-aid kit; whistle (to signal); dust masks; soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes; prescription and nonprescription medications; eyeglasses and contact-lens solution; infant formula, bottles, diapers and wipes; important family documents and cash or traveler’s checks; plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place); moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation); wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities); manual can opener; local maps and cell phone with chargers and a backup battery.
Store items in airtight plastic bags and keep the entire kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers.
You can improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricane conditions by cutting weak branches and trees, storing bikes, furniture, grills, propane tanks, etc., under shelter. Keep drains, gutters and downspouts clear of debris. Cover up windows and doors with storm shutters or plywood.
Stay informed with multiple methods for receiving alerts. Enroll in Town E-Alerts and CodeRED and learn about the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts and NOAA Weather Radio.
The state’s 2-1-1 hotline is available for nonemergency assistance. It is available with translation in more than 150 languages and can be accessed via video relay services.
Marion residents are urged to subscribe to Town E-Alerts by visiting marionma.gov/subscribe; residents are also encouraged to enroll in CodeRED community notifications through the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office at pcsdma.org/codered.html; and residents can also follow Facebook.com/marionma1852, Marion Police (Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068926130615) and Facebook.com/MarionFireEMS.
For more information on hurricane planning, visit community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/article/hurricane.