Natural Disasters

Northeast Connecticut is at risk for a number of natural disasters including hurricanes, floods, fire, and winter storms. By learning about these specific threats, you'll be better prepared to react in an emergency.

Don't underestimate the power of preparedness!

Hurricanes

Hurricanes can produce widespread torrential rains. Floods are a deadly and destructive result. Excessive rain can also trigger landslides or mudslides, especially in mountainous regions.

Listen to local weather reports. If a hurricane "warning" is issued for your area, the storm could reach your community in 24 to 36 hours. Take steps at the first warning of a hurricane. Make sure that your supply kit is up-to-date with a three day supply of everything you need if you have to shelter-in-place.

Evacuate to another location if:

     • Local authorities announce an evacuation

     • You live in a mobile home or temporary structure -

       they are particularly hazardous during hurricanes

       no matter how well fastened to the ground

     • You live in a high-rise. Hurricane winds are stronger

       at higher elevations

     • You live on the coast, on a floodplain near a river

       or inland waterway

If you must evacuate:

     • Make sure your car is full of fuel and you have an

        evacuation route planned

     • Listen to news reports for official evacuation

        instructions from local authorities

     • Take your emergency preparedness kits with you

If you are not required to or cannot evacuate:

     • Stay indoors and keep away from windows and

       glass doors

     • Keep curtains and blinds closed

     • Do not be fooled if there is a lull, it could be the

       eye of the storm and winds will pick up again

     • Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities

     • Turn your refrigerator to its coldest setting and

        keep it closed

     • Turn off propane tanks at the main valve

In strong winds, follow these rules:

     • Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or

        hallway

     • Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external

        doors

     • In a two-story residence, go to an interior first-floor

        room, such as a bathroom or closet

     • In a multiple-story building, go to the first or second

        floors and stay in interior rooms away from windows

     • Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy

        object

Avoid using the phone except for serious emergencies. Local authorities need first priority on telephone lines.

Floods

All floods are not alike. Riverine floods develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days. Flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes, without any visible signs of rain. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water that carries a deadly cargo of rocks, mud and other debris and can sweep away most things in its path. Overland flooding occurs outside a defined river or stream, such as when a levee is breached, but can still be destructive. Flooding can also occur from a dam break producing effects similar to flash floods.

Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood.

If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.

In all other cases, follow evacuation orders.

Secure your home: If you have time, tie down or bring outdoor equipment and lawn furniture inside. Move essential items to upper floors.

Utilities: If instructed, turn off utilities at the main switches or valves. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or are standing in water.

Water: During floods, there is a possibility that water sources could be contaminated or shut off. To prepare yourself and your family, fill the bathtub with water. Before filling the tub, sterilize it with a diluted bleach solution (dilute nine parts water to one part bleach). Use regular household liquid bleach that contains no soap or scents.

Do not walk through moving water!

Six inches of moving water can knock you off of your feet. If you must walk in a flooded area, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

Do not drive into flooded areas!

Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of water will wash away almost all vehicles.

If floodwaters rise around your car:

    • Abandon the car and move to higher ground, if you

      can do so safely. You and your vehicle can be quickly

      swept away as floodwaters rise

Fire

Large scale fires like the April 26, 2005 InterRoyal Mill Fire in Plainfield, Connecticut can cause widespread problems in a community. In addition to the obvious dangers posed to firefighters, the release of potential contaminates into the air caused the town to implement its evacuation procedures.

Thanks to numerous studies that had been done at the mill site, local, state, and federal officials were well-informed and well-prepared to deal with the fire and its impact on the citizens of Plainfield.

This is a prime example of the importance of emergency preparedness and planning.

Whether it's an enormous blaze that effects an entire community, or a small house fire that can leave you homeless, there are basic facts that you should know about fires:

 • Use water to put out small fires. Do not try to put out

    a fire that is getting out of control

 • Never use water on an electrical fire

 • Smother oil and grease fires with baking soda or salt

 • If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop and roll

    until the fire is extinguished

 • If escaping through a door, use the back of your hand

    to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the

    crack between the door and door frame. If the door

    is warm or hot, do not open it! Escape through a

    window, if possible.

 • If you cannot escape, hang a light colored sheet

    outside the window to alert fire fighters to your

    presence

 • Cover your nose and mouth with a dust mask or cotton

    t-shirt if doing so does not delay your evacuation

 • If you must evacuate through smoke, crawl if you can,

    because smoke rises. Close doors behind you as you

    escape