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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
1246 PM EDT Wed Jul 10 2024

...HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...

Evacuation...

The National Weather Service (NWS) Boston, MA has declared July
8th through July 12th as Hurricane Preparedness Week. Each day
this week we will highlight a different preparedness topic.

During Hurricane Preparedness Week, make sure you have a
hurricane evacuation plan.

Along a coastline, the main threat is the storm surge. The storm
surge is simply water from the ocean pushed toward shore by the
wind. Besides the intensity and speed of a tropical system, the
arrival time and slope of the ocean bottom play a large role in
determining the severity of a storm surge. A storm surge arriving
during the peak of a high tide will be different than the same
storm surge arriving during a low tide. Areas with a steep
coastline will not experience as much storm surge as areas with a
more shallow coast.

Whether from inland flooding or storm surge, the goal of
evacuation is to move from a not so safe area, to a safer area.
This does not necessarily mean evacuees must travel hundreds of
miles. In fact the shortest travel distance to a safe location is
best since it reduces traffic congestion and minimizes the chance
of encountering other problems on the roadways. Also remember it
will often take more time to reach your destination.

Staying with family or friends, or even at a hotel, outside the
area to be impacted by a tropical system is ideal. Another good
idea is to establish a common contact outside the impacted area
where family and friends can check in, and let other family and
friends know they are safe.

When evacuating, it is best to use the routes designated by
authorities. These routes are often more closely monitored, and
assistance can be provided more quickly. You can find evacuation
routes for your area by contacting local emergency management
officials.

If you have pets, call ahead to your chosen destination. Most
public shelters do not accept pets. If a public shelter does
accept pets, they must be either on leash or in a cage or box. Do
not forget to bring pet food, most shelters do not provide it.

$$

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