Chatham and Harwich, Cape Cod Hurricane Preparedness Information

Chatham and Harwich, Cape Cod, MA

Hurricane Preparedness Information

Click Here for the Chatham, Mass Weather Forecast

Map of Atlantic Hurricane

Is it a Gale, a Nor'Easter or a Hurricane?

Measuring a Hurricane

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Category 1: Minimal Damage
Winds of 74-95 mph and storm surges of 4-5 ft. No significant wind damage to well constructed buildings. Some damage is done to poorly constructed signs. Wind damage primarily occurs to mobile homes, shrubbery, trees, and foliage. Low lying roads are inundated by storm surge. Minor pier damage occurs. Example: Danny, 1997

Category 2: Moderate Damage
Winds of 96-110 mph and storm surges of 6-8 ft. Some roofing material, doors, windows of homes and businesses are damaged by winds. Considerable wind damage done to mobile homes and vegetation. Low lying roads are inundated by storm surge. Considerable damage done by storm surge and wave action to piers. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break their moorings. Example: Flossy, 1956

Category 3: Extensive Damage
Winds of 111-130 mph and storm surges of 9-12 ft. Winds cause structural damage to homes and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failure. Mobile homes are destroyed. Storm surge flooding destroys many smaller buildings while large buildings are damaged by floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 10 feet above mean sea level is flooded. Example: Andrew, 1992

Category 4: Extreme Damage
Winds of 131-155 mph and storm surges of 13-18 ft. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof failure on homes. Major damage to lower floors of homes and businesses from storm surge flooding. Terrain continuously lower than 15 feet above mean sea level is flooded. Example: Audrey, 1957

Category 5: Catastrophic Damage
Winds greater than 155 mph and storm surges greater than 18 ft. Compete roof failure of many homes and businesses. Complete structural failure of many small buildings. Major storm surge flooding to areas lower than 20 feet above mean sea level. Example: Camille, 1969

10 Things You Can Do Now To Prepare For Hurricane Season

By Denise O'Berry

The 2008 hurricane season is right around the corner and runs for six months from June 1, 2008 to November 30, 2008. According to a recent survey from the National Hurricane Survival Initiative, the residents in hurricane prone states -- from Maine to Texas -- aren't anywhere near prepared for what they might face. Here are 10 quick tips to help you prepare.

1. During the off season is the time to stock up on supplies -- batteries, water and non-perishable food. If you wait until a hurricane is approaching, your chances of finding the items you need are not ideal.

2. Buy a small plastic carrying case for your important papers. Keep it filled and updated during hurricane season so all you have to do is grab and go if you have to evacuate.

3. Save that ice. At the beginning of hurricane season start
using that ice that builds up in your icemaker. Fill up several
plastic bags with ice and store them in your freezer.

4. Have at least two coolers. One for drinks and one for food.
You might also want to have a third cooler on hand for the stuff
you will use most often. That way you aren't opening all the
coolers frequently and letting the ice melt.

5. It gets really dark when there's no electricity. Battery and solar operated light products are much better than candles. Make sure you have at least one per person.

6. Your cordless phone won't work without electricity. Make sure you can communicate with loved ones. Have a phone with a regular cord. They're very inexpensive and can be your communication lifeline in an emergency.

7. Pets are family too. Make sure you have a pet carrier or transportation device for each pet in your home along with a plan for your pets should a disaster occur.

8. Cash is a must. ATM machines don't work when the electricity is out and the likelihood of your corner store offering to cash a check is slim. Sock away some bucks in that plastic carrying case (see tip #2) so you'll never be caught short-handed.

9. When preparing your home, don't forget to look up. Check those trees and tree limbs. Trim those that could damage your house.

10. Your garage door is a vulnerable wind entry point during a hurricane. Make sure you have it reinforced to prevent collapse.

About the author:
Denise O'Berry is a small business consultant in Tampa, Florida.
For more hurricane information, tips and tools, visit
http://www.myhurricanecenter.com

Hurricane and Storm Preparation (excerpted from Harwich Harbor Management Plan)

For more information check out the excellent web site of the Harwich Harbormaster.

Cape Cod has been spared the direct hit of a hurricane since 1958. The '44 hurricane trashed the Cape and virtually destroyed the Harwich Port Boat Works at Wychmere Harbor. Hurricane "Bob" (1991) brought severe winds and high tides to Harwichport causing moorings to pull and boats to break free. Allen Harbor was devastated including yacht club floats. Wychmere Harbor found 19 boats left high and dry on the hillside below Larson Park (north side). Many boats, including eight Flying Scots were capsized at their moorings. Hurricane season usually lasts from late August through October. Therefore, hurricane preparation is not a joke.

The Hurricane Yardstick
High tide during a hurricane at Harwichport can rise 4-6 feet above the normal high tide caused by lowered atmospheric pressure. Wind-caused surge can form an addition and unpredicted wedge of water on top of this tide. Boats moored in high-energy areas such as the outer harbor will lose the protection of the breakwater which will be deeply submerged at high tide. These boats must be moved to safer harbor before the storm hits. Mooring scope at this time may become too short and cause anchors to pull.

Boat ramps will be jammed at the time close to the storm. Therefore, if you have reached the end of your useful boating season, consider an early haul out.

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO- SHORT OF HAULING OUT

MOORED BOATS:

1. Inspect your mooring tackle and renew all parts that show signs of serious wear. This should include quality of chain, splices, and condition of thimbles and shackles.

2. All moorings during these months should be equipped with secondary storm painter (mooring line) to attach to the opposite bow cleat.

3. Equip all mooring lines passing through bow chocks with chafing equipment which can include a short piece of rubber hose or vinyl tubing protecting the lines from wearing through. Wear and tear of mooring pennants at deck level has been the most common reason in Harwich for mooring failure.

4. Inspect the security of bow cleats and eyes. Sailing vessels extend mooring lines back to the base of the mast, remove and stow all sails.

5. Batteries driving automatic bilge pumps should be fully charged and float switches tested for good working order. Bilges should be cleaned of oil and contaminants.

6. All through hull fittings equipped with valves as heads, holding tank valves, and exhaust overflows should be placed in closed position.

7. Where practical add to the mooring scope by lengthening the painter. Be sure you maintain clearance with boats around you. Position all extra fenders to fend off blows.

DOCKSIDE BOATS

1. Secure extra fender between boats and docks. Make use of a fender board where vessel is tied up between pilings.

2. Double up all dock lines. Be sure spring lines are secured in both directions and make certain cleats are well secured.

3. In areas of floating docks, tie only to near top of the pilings, otherwise the rising tide will "jack" the pile or otherwise pull the boat under.

4. Owners with vessels tied alongside a fixed pier should make certain that the gunwales will not get caught under the dock as the tide rises. The boat may be warped away from the pier using an anchor as an outhaul.

5. Disconnect all shore power lines going to the vessel before the storm hits.

6. Attempt to dock sailboats so that masts will not be "caught" on one another when boats rock.

BOATS HAULED OUT

1. All day sailors and light weight boats which can make use of trailers should be taken out of the water as soon as possible.

2. Sailboats dinghy type should be flooded with freshwater on their trailers as a means to hold them down.

3. At home park boats close to building if possible.

4. Boats stored using jack stands on soft ground, mud, sand, or gravel should use plywood under each stand as a precaution to prevent each stand from settlement. Make certain each jack is snugged firmly against the boat hull and use safety chains to "cross-lock" jacks.