NEWPORT, R.I. – As of Wednesday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center indicate a possible landfall of Hurricane Irene along the Virginia and North Carolina coasts as early as Aug. 27 and potentially in New England early Monday morning.
Rhode Island state emergency officials, including Gov. Lincoln Chafee, said they are monitoring the storm very closely and have been meeting to discuss contingency plans.
The Naval War College (NWC) community, along with Naval Station Newport personnel, urges everyone to fully prepare for wind-swept rain and potentially damaging weather conditions this coming weekend. Navy families living locally are especially advised to prepare for potential weather related difficulties at home.
Many of the dangers associated with storm situations can be managed or even minimized by planning ahead and taking basic precautionary measures. Knowing how to prepare for dangerously high winds, localized flooding, and storm tidal surges is a critical component to effective management for weather related emergencies. Hurricanes and other disasters can leave personnel cut off from power, transportation, communication, food and medical supplies for extended periods of time.
Local families should develop emergency plans that include, at a minimum, a straightforward evacuation plan, access to an emergency kit and supplies, and ready access to contact information outside of the region.
Lastly, emergency preparedness includes knowing what information resources are available before a crisis occurs. A variety of information is available in support of family readiness including:
NAVAL WAR COLLEGE FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
Naval War College public affairs office will provide updates in emergency situations. Follow us on
Facebook.
“WENS “ NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
The Naval War College subscribes to a notification service used in the event of inclement weather delays or closures or other emergencies to send a voice or text message to phones and/or email accounts. This is a voluntary service and students, staff, and faculty can sign up at work through the intranet by going to "Emergency Notification" under "User Tools." The incoming call will register as 401-841-2000. This system is known as the NWC Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS).
NWC EMERGENCY AND INCLEMENT WEATHER MESSAGE LINE
The Command Duty Officer will provide emergency or weather-related condition changes at the college with a voice mail message on 401-841-2000
RADIO AND TELEVISION
Announcements are also made through the Rhode Island Broadcasters Association (RIBA) Business and School Cancellation System. Participating stations announce or publish the most up-to-date listing of weather-related impacts throughout the state. Click
http://www.ribroadcasters.com/ to go directly to the RIBA Cancellation System's latest update.
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System https://www.navyfamily.navy.mil which provides a standardized method for the Navy to account, manage and monitor the recovery process for personnel and their families affected and/or scattered by a wide-spread catastrophic event.
- State of Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, http://www.riema.ri.gov/about/overview/ , which has many resources for planning and preparing emergency kits, developing evacuation plans and addressing specific special needs for children, the elderly and others.
- State of Rhode Island Hurricane Evacuation Guide, http://www.riema.ri.gov/preparedness/evacuation/hurricane_evac.php , which provides more detailed information for preparing for a hurricane, hurricane evacuation and public shelters in Rhode Island.
- Red Cross Hurricane Preparedness Guide, http://www.preparehr.org/documents/RedCrossReadyHurricaneGuide2pg.pdf, which provides general overview of tips and guidelines for hurricane preparedness.
- Coastal Resources Management Council’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide, http://www.crmc.ri.gov/coastalstorms/Hurricane_Prepare_RI.pdf , which provides valuable tips for preparing for high winds and evacuation.
- For more news from Naval War College Public Affairs, visit www.facebook.com/NavalWarCollege.
From Naval War College Public Affairs