Weather Resources
- National Weather Service
- CDC Disasters and Severe Weather
- Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
- City of Boston Guide to National Disasters
- Ready.gov
- Public Health Emergency
Hurricane & Flood Resources
The 2017 hurricane season devasted parts of Texas, Florida, the US Virgin Island and Puerto Rico. Due to the number of evacuees seeking shelter and services in Massachusetts, the state has created a local resource page to assist in locating support services: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/hurricane-relief-resources.
The Boston Foundation announces "Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico makes more than $1 million in grants. Grassroots efforts in Puerto Rico to receive over $700,000, relocation-related support highlights statewide needs." To learn more, go to https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2017/december/puerto-rico-grants.
Other resources:
- "Know Your Zone" - Learn if you live or work in a Hurricane Evacuation Zone
- MEMA: Hurricane Safety Tips
- Ready.gov: Hurricanes
- CDC - Hurricanes
- National Weather Service - Boston Forecast Office (for Central and Eastern MA)
- National Weather Service - Albany (for Western MA)
- National Weather Service - National Hurricane Center
- MA River Conditions
Understanding Tropical Weather Warnings
Understand the terms used and know when you need to pay attention to the storms in your area. Source: National Hurricane Center.
- Hurricane / Typhoon: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 74 mph or more. The term hurricane is used for Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclones east of the International Dateline to the Greenwich Meridian. The term typhoon is used for Pacific tropical cyclones north of the Equator west of the International Dateline.
- Hurricane Warning: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. Hurricane Watch: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 categorization based on the hurricane's intensity at the indicated time. The scale provides examples of the type of damage and impacts in the United States associated with winds of the indicated intensity. The following table shows the scale broken down by winds:
- Tropical Cyclone: A warm-core non-frontal synoptic-scale cyclone, originating over tropical or subtropical waters, with organized deep convection and a closed surface wind circulation about a well-defined center. Once formed, a tropical cyclone is maintained by the extraction of heat energy from the ocean at high temperature and heat export at the low temperatures of the upper troposphere. In this they differ from extratropical cyclones, which derive their energy from horizontal temperature contrasts in the atmosphere (baroclinic effects).
- Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed is 38 mph or less.
- Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed ranges from 39 mph to 73 mph.
- Tropical Storm Warning: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours.
- Tropical Storm Watch: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified area within 48 hours.
Category | Wind Speed/mph | Damage |
5 | > 155 | Catastrophic damage will occur |
4 | 131 - 155 | Catastrophic damage will occur |
3 | 111 - 130 | Devastating damage will occur |
2 | 96 - 110 | Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage |
1 | 74 - 95 | Very dangerous winds will produce some damage |
Personal Preparedness
Be pro-active around your facilities:
- Clear clogged rain gutters; hurricanes/tropical storms often bring torrential rain; providing clear drainage will help prevent misdirected flooding
- Bring in outdoor items to bring inside - lawn furniture, trash barrels, toys and awnings that can be broken or picked up by strong winds
- Make sure storage sheds, children's playhouses or other outbuildings are securely anchored, either to a permanent foundation or with straps and ground anchors
- Trim back trees and shrubbery; remove diseased or damaged tree limbs that could be blown down, causing damage, during a storm
- Elevate items in lower-level areas that could be damaged from even minor flooding
Personal tips:
- Keep your vehicles fully fueled
- Have a certain amount of cash available; if power is lost, ATMs may not be working
- Make a record of your personal property; keep an itemized list of your furniture, clothing and valuables to assist adjusters in case of a claim; back it up with photographs or video
- Protect your insurance policies and other important documents in a secure place like a safe deposit box or a watertight box; many people back up important documents online
Download the Massachusetts Alerts app for iPhone and Android devices.
Stay connected with Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) on Twitter and Facebook.
Learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
Updated: June 2019