Town Of Wilton: 'Hurricane Season Is Upon Us…'

Press release from the Town of Wilton:

June 14, 2024 - 3:27pm

Hurricane Season Public Service Announcement - June 14, 2024

As of June 1, the Atlantic hurricane season is upon us and will be here until November 30th. Connecticut faces the highest number of storms from mid-August through mid-October. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Colorado State University is predicting a particularly dangerous year, with 25 named storms of winds clocking 39 miles per hour expected to hit Connecticut and the eastern seaboard. Of those, 8-13 are thought to become hurricanes, with winds of 74 miles per hour or higher. 4-7 of these hurricanes may become major hurricanes, with 111 mile per hour winds, or higher. Forecasters give these predictions a 70% confidence rating. The Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is encouraging Connecticut residents to check the Hurricane Awareness Hub, which provides valuable information on evacuation zones, types of hurricanes and preparedness and response checklists. Locally, the Wilton Police have posted their recommendations for emergency preparedness here. The following is a checklist to have on hand to prepare for any future emergency:

Recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit

• One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries for lanterns and candles. Battery operated lanterns and candles are safer than open flames
• First aid kit
• A whistle to signal for help
• Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• A manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
• Medicine or any special need items, including diapers for infants
• Food and litter requirements for any pets

Create a family emergency plan

• Identify an out-of-town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
• Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
• Plan ahead and pre-set a family group text conversation in your phones. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through, and it uses less battery life.

General Recommendations

• Service your generator annually and have adequate fuel on hand
• Consider alternate cooking methods. Portable and camp stoves should only be used outside
• 3-4 days before a storm, purchase supplies and build the preparedness kit
• 1 day before the storm, fill bathtubs and buckets with water for non-potable needs. This water can be poured into the tanks of toilets enabling them to flush during a power outage

Insuring your property

• It is important to review your insurance policies yearly and especially prior to the start of hurricane season.
• Review your policy with an agent or contact the Connecticut Insurance Department to understand what is covered and what your coverage limits are to ensure you are receiving adequate protection.
• Keep your policies and insurance contact information in a safe place.
• Make an inventory of your possessions should your property be damaged, and you must make a claim.

Public Safety, Storm Information and Numbers

During a hurricane, falling trees and debris pose a serious risk and it is imperative that everyone shelter indoors. Once the hurricane has passed, downed electric wires on the roads could still be live and deadly. Do not try to touch, move, approach or drive over them. Instead, call 911 to report any downed wires, or any other weather-related emergency. All downed utility lines should be considered live! If there are barriers in place, DO NOT MOVE, go through, or around them. The next person may think the road is safe to pass. Again, treat every downed wire as if it is energized. Our First Responders do, you should too!

If necessary, the Town has multiple predesignated shelters and shelter supplies that will be made available to the Wilton Community.

Is your power out? Call 1-800-286-2000, or text “Out,” to 23129 from your cell phone, or visit www.eversource.com to report the outage and receive information and instructions.

For all medical or other emergencies, dial 911.

Storm updates will be continually posted on the Wilton Town website, so please check here for new information wiltonct |.

If you have any questions about sheltering or any other emergency preparedness questions, please call the Town’s Emergency Management Director at 203-834-6246, or email at jim.blanchfield@wiltonct.org.

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This press release was produced by the Town of Wilton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.