Scientists say hurricanes are becoming more frequent -- and more intense. Rhode Island has been hit hard in the past. This six-part series examines the strengths and weaknesses of the state's hurricane plan and offers advice on how to prepare.
before, during and after a natural disaster.
This is the second look at Rhode's Island preparedness. See
the first series, published last December.
Your
turn: How prepared are you - right now - to survive a direct hit from
a major hurricane?
8/09/2006
Government forecasters lower hurricane projections
WASHINGTON -- Federal officials modestly downgraded their projections for the intensity of this year's hurricane season yesterday, as the halfway point of the six-month season neared without a single hurricane and only three named tropical storms.
R.I. readies for the next hurricane
NARRAGANSETT -- On a summer-perfect day, a National Guard truck carrying a container filled with shelter supplies and a tractor-trailer loaded with food and water backed onto the Block Island Ferry.
7/29/2006
Epilogue: Evacuating Block Island is 'a tall order
NEW SHOREHAM -- Tamea Wimmer plans to marry Aug. 26 on the lawn of the Sullivan House, overlooking sailboats bobbing in the Great Salt Pond to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. She will be carrying late-summer blossoms, her bridesmaids dressed in coral. Her guests will fly in from Austria, California and Florida.
7/21/2006
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Day 6 - Response
Local emergency management directors have a big job but often no training and small budgets.
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Most in charge of the disaster response are volunteers with little training or funds
In a disaster, local emergency management directors must make key decisions, from ordering evacuations to opening shelters, getting food and water to residents and clearing debris. They must also recruit volunteers and get them trained for...
Your
turn: What do you expect from your local officials in an emergency? Do you think they will be able to meet those expectations?
Poll shows most haven't stocked up on supplies
Imagine a hurricane has barreled up the East Coast and slammed head-on into Rhode Island.
Your
turn: Have you stocked up on food and water in case of an emergency?
Clearing roads is key to a rapid recovery
The swath of destruction from a major hurricane would paralyze the state.
7/20/2006
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Day 5 - Dams
There are more than 600 dams in the state. Failures could cause widespread destruction.
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The state is focusing on fixing a weak dam-safety program, but, for now, those inland residents at risk are on their own
Whenever violent storms threaten Rhode Island, thrill seekers rush to Narragansett to watch waves slam against the seawall.
Your
turn: Do you know whether you live near one of the state's more than 60 high-hazard or significant-hazard dams?
Is one of the state's 17 high-hazard dams located in your community? Check the state's list.
A copy of the state's latest list of dams and reports on inspections (36-page PDF document)
7/19/2006
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Day 4 - Shelters
The state has a list of approved shelters,
but there is still no official plan for pets.
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Lack of facilities, volunteers mean state could provide shelter from the storm to only a fraction of evacuees
If tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders are ordered to evacuate ahead of a major hurricane, they'd better find their own places to go...
A list of approved hurricane shelters by community.
Pet-friendly shelter system is, slowly, in the works
Among the lasting images from Hurricane Katrina are those of New Orleans evacuees who had to choose between leaving their pets behind and their own safety...
Your
turn: How do you plan to keep your pets safe in the event of an emergency?
Emergency planners won't hold back orders to evacuate
When the next major hurricane barrels down on Rhode Island and the order to evacuate is given, Newport will be the most vulnerable community in the county and one of the most endangered in the state.
Officials move forward with plans for hurricane response
Back in 1938, the Andrea Hotel was one of the few buildings that remained standing along the Misquamicut coastline.
7/18/2006
Hardest
part of the evacuation plan may be convincing 135,000 people it's time to leave
Most Rhode Islanders have never lived through a
major hurricane. Those who believe they can ride one out, instead of evacuating
when ordered, could be making a fatal mistake.
Your
turn: What will it take to convince you to evacuate in advance of a hurricane?
Maps: View
evacuation routes and Red Cross approved shelters in our region.
Gallery:
Aerial photos now and then
Colleges
improving evacuation plans, communication
Officials will be able to contact parents, faculty,
staff and students if telecommunication systems are knocked out by a storm..
Your
turn: What will you do if a family member is at college here?
Evacuation
plans ready at hospitals, nursing homes
One flaw is that most nursing homes have a way
to evacuate patients locally but no plans if the local options are washed out.
Your
turn: What will you do if a hurricane strikes Rhode Island and a family
member is in a nursing home or a hospital here?
East
Bay and Massachusetts: Elderly, pets make up towns' top concerns
If a powerful hurricane barrels toward Barrington, about 60 elderly residents
are on a list that means any of seven buses could pick them up at home and take
them to the town's one Red Cross-approved shelter or shelters in three nearby
communities.
East
Bay and Massachusetts: Evacuation routes in Massachusetts are ill-defined
Don't look for emergency evacuation route signs in Massachusetts. There aren't
any.
South
County: Officials have plans in place should hurricane hit
Anthony Centracchio lives alone in his Lakewood
Drive home in Narragansett. At 86, he's feeling the aches and pains of his years.
Metro:
Schools key in disaster relief
PROVIDENCE -- When the big blow comes, there will be plenty of places for residents
to find shelter if they cannot fend for themselves.
Metro:
Centers ready on higher ground
NORTH PROVIDENCE -- Contrary to what residents might expect, the evacuation
route signs that have been posted in town don't show a way out.
7/17/2006
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Day 2 - Communications
Emergency personnel have improved communication
systems but only in some areas.
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State
slow in raising public awareness, but others have picked up some of the slack
The state completed a hurricane response plan just
in time for this year's hurricane season, which began on June 1. But it failed
to meet its next most important goal -- informing the public.
Your
turn: Responders: are you confident your communications equipment will
be sufficient during an emergency?
State
acts to solve communications problems
Officials say first responders are better equipped
to communicate with one another in a disaster than they were three years ago
during the Station fire.
Your
turn: How prepared are you - right now - to survive a direct hit from
a major hurricane?
7/16/2006
Should a strong hurricane knock out power in R.I., generators would provide only 3 days of electricity
Fears of a major hurricane striking New England have soared this summer.
Your
turn: Are you prepared to cope without electricity for longer than a
few days?
If big storm hits, will the hurricane barrier keep city from harm?
ROVIDENCE -- If a major hurricane threatens the East Coast this summer, images from the Hurricane of 1938 will come to mind -- downtown Providence flooded, street cars stalled with water up to their windows.
Your
turn: Do you have confidence that the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier, built
in 1966, will hold during a major hurricane?
Gallery:
Page through photos from the Providence Journal archives of the construction
of the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier.
Graphic:
See a graphic explaining how the Hurricane Barrier works
Self-Help guide
Try this conversation at dinner: A storm cuts electric power to your house. The streets are so flooded you can't leave. Outside help is unavailable --for three days.
