Marion Residents are being urged to monitor the track of Hurricane Isaias and make arrangements for shelter with family or friends should an evacuation be necessary. A local emergency may be opened but due to COVID restrictions, residents may have to rely on a regional shelter if necessary.
Special attention to the residents of Planting Island and lower Point Rd- if the hurricane tracks toward Marion, Planting Island will be evacuated. If storm surge breaches the Planting Island causeway, the island will be cut off from emergency services. In addition, the Water Department will shut off the fresh water to Planting Island as a precaution to avoid possibly contaminating the water supply for the whole town.
Point Rd below the lower entrance to Delano Rd will also be evacuated. In past storms, trees and downed wires blocked Point Rd for several hours before utility crews were able to remove downed wires. This prevented emergency responders being able to access residents.
HOW YOU CAN PREPARE
- Know Your Evacuation Zone
- Learn if you live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone:www.mass.gov/knowyourzone
- Make an Emergency Plan
- Develop a plan with the members of your household to prepare for what to do in a tropical cyclone including making an evacuation plan, planning for individuals with access and functional needs, and any extra considerations during COVID-19 pandemic including how you might evacuate and where you might evacuate to. If you are in a high risk population, the safest option may be to evacuate to a location without the general public such as a hotel, relatives’ home or other destination. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/make-a-family-emergency-plan
- Build an Emergency Kit
- Build an emergency kit containing items that will sustain you and your family in the event you are isolated for three to five days without power or unable to go to a store and customize for your family’s needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, include face coverings, masks, hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies that you may need. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/build-an-emergency-kit.
- Stay Informed
- Every family should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts. Learn more about different types of alerting and information tools including the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, Social Media & Traditional Media, 2-1-1 Hotline, Local Notification Systems: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/be-informed-and-receive-emergency-alerts.
- Sign up to receive Town of Marion Urgent Alerts here: https://www.marionma.gov/subscribe. Check “Urgent Alert”, enter your email, and can click “Subscribe Me” below