Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Boston, MA

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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
1039 AM EDT Wed Mar 13 2024

The National Weather Service (NWS) Boston, MA has declared March
11 through March 15 as Flood Safety Awareness Week. Each day
during the awareness week will feature information about a
different flood related topic.

Sometimes floods develop slowly and forecasters can
anticipate where a flood will happen days or weeks before
it occurs. Oftentimes flash floods can occur within minutes
and sometimes without any sign of rain. Being prepared
can save your life and give you peace of mind.

Create a Communications Plan
It is important to be able to communicate with your
family and friends in the event of a disaster. Whether
it is having a specific person identified to contact
for status updates or a safe location to meet up with
family members, having a plan in place will give you
peace of mind if disaster does strike.

Assemble an Emergency Kit
It is good practice to have enough food, water and medicine
on hand at all times to last you at least 3 days in the
case of an emergency. Water service may be interrupted or
unsafe to drink and food requiring little cooking and no
refrigeration may be needed if electric power is interrupted.
You should also have batteries, blankets, flashlights, first
aid kit, rubber boots, rubber gloves, and a NOAA Weather
Radio or other battery operated radio easily available.

Know Your Risk
Is your home, business or school in a floodplain? Where
is water likely to collect on the roadways you most often
travel? What is the fastest way to get to higher ground?
Knowing the answers to these questions ahead of time can
save your life.

Sign Up for Notifications
The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service provides RSS
feeds for observed forecast and alert river conditions to
help keep the public informed about local water conditions

Prepare Your Home
Sometimes floods develop slowly and forecasters can
anticipate where a flood will happen days or weeks before
it occurs. Oftentimes flash floods can occur within
minutes and sometimes without any sign of rain. Being prepared
can save your life and give you peace of mind.
1. If you have access to sandbags or other materials,
use them to protect your home from flood waters if you
have sufficient time to do so. Filling sandbags can take
more time than you may think.
2. Have a professional install check-valves in plumbing to
prevent flood waters from backing up into the drains of your
home. Make sure your sump pump is working and consider having
a backup. Make sure your electric circuit breakers, or fuses,
are clearly marked for each area of your home.
3. Since standard homeowners insurance doesn`t cover flooding,
ensure coverage by contacting your insurance company or agent
to purchase flood insurance. This must be done before there
is even a threat of flooding as insurance companies stop
issuing policies if there is a threat of flooding. (i.e.
an approaching hurricane). Many flood insurance policies
take at least 30 days to go into effect so even if you can
buy it as a storm is approaching, it may not protect your
investment.

Prepare your Family/Pets
You may be evacuated, so pack in advance. Don`t wait until
the last moment to gather the essentials for yourself,
your family and/or your pets.

Charge Your Essential Electronics
Make sure your cell phone and portable radios are all
charged in case you lose power or need to evacuate. Also
make sure you have back-up batteries on hand.

Leave
If it is likely your home will flood, don`t wait to be
ordered to leave; evacuate yourself! Make alternative
plans for a place to stay. If you have pets, take them
with you or make arrangements to board them at a facility
well away from the flooding danger.

$$

For the latest updates...please visit our webpage at
www.weather.gov/boston

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www.facebook.com/NWSBoston

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@NWSBoston


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