Community Corner

Residents Urged to Heed Message of National Hurricane Preparedness Week

President Obama says preparedness can save lives and property.

This week Americans received a reminder of the indiscriminate and incredible power of Mother Nature when a series of super strong tornadoes ripped through Missouri and left a trail of destruction. With the devastation fresh on people’s minds, the message of National Hurricane Preparedness Week is timely.

“National Hurricane Preparedness Week highlights the importance of planning ahead to protect our families and secure our communities and homes in advance of the upcoming hurricane season,” President Barack Obama declared in a proclamation.

And, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), New England residents can expect to see an “above-normal hurricane season” this year. For the six-month Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June through November, the prediction is:

Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • 12 to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which:
  • 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including:
  • 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher)
  • Each of these ranges has a 70 percent likelihood, and indicate that activity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

“Our Nation has seen devastating hurricanes and storms, and we must not let our guard down as we prepare for this year's hurricane season. With tens of millions of Americans living in coastal communities, preparation can enhance our ability to respond to and recover from any natural disaster we might face,” Obama said.

“By working together, government, private and nonprofit organizations, emergency responders, and private citizens can help save lives and reduce the damage caused by these storms,” the president added.

Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For tips to make sure you and your family or business are prepared, click here


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here