Did you know that September is the peak of hurricane season? Although Upper Providence isn’t along the coast, we often experience the impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms after they make landfall.
These storms often bring heavy rains which cause the Schuylkill River and Perkiomen Creek to overrun their banks and flood low-lying areas, along with high winds that bring down trees and power lines that block roads, cause power outages and disrupt our community. In 2021, Hurricane Ida caused major damage to the Port Providence and Mont Clare sections of the township, which resulted in a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
Are you prepared for Hurricane Season? A recent study conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency revealed that only 51% of households in the US are prepared for a disaster. Here are some actions you can take to be prepared for Hurricane Season and other disasters:
1. Sign up for Upper Providence Township emergency alerts through Ready Montco at https://montgomerycountypa.gov/3311/ReadyMontco and explore the UPT Office of Emergency Management website and Weather Hub at www.uprov-montco.org/431/office-of-emergency-management ;
2. Talk to your insurance agent about Flood Insurance. Areas along Mingo Creek, Perkiomen Creek, and Schuylkill River are in designated flood zones. Regular homeowner’s and renter’s policies will not cover flood damage. See www.floodsmart.gov for more information.
3. Make copies of important documents (including photo ID’s, birth certificates, bank and medical records) and store them in a safe place. Start a rainy-day savings account.
4. Make a Plan of what you will do if your neighborhood or home becomes flooded, there’s a power outage, or other emergency. Your plan should answer these questions:
- -How will we receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- -Where will we go and how will we get there?
- -What will we take with us?
- -How will we communicate with family members?
5. Make an Emergency Kit for your home and vehicle. The kit should include enough supplies to sustain you, your family, and any pets for three days.
- Drinking Water (1 gallon per person per day)
- Non-Perishable Food
- Battery-Powered weather radio
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First Aid kit
- Cell phone with chargers and backup battery
- Pet food and supplies
- Hygiene items and toiletries
See www.ready.gov/kit for more ideas
The Office of Emergency Management, part of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, protects life, property, and the environment through the coordination and support of emergency planning, response, and recovery operations and is staffed by a full-time Emergency Management Coordinator.