Post-Hurricane Cleanup Assistance Available

09.02.11 Update: If you have downed trees that need clearing on your property, help is available. Call United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island by simply dialing 2-1-1 from any phone, from any location within Rhode Island, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ask for assistance. United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island is coordinating calls for assistance. They are working with Serve Rhode Island, who is recruiting volunteers to help in this work. Priority will be given to seniors, the disabled and people with special needs.

For more information contact Chris Medici, at United Way of Rhode Island,
(401) 444-0652.

Information for Hurricane Preparedness

With hurricane season well underway, Lt. Governor Roberts urges Rhode Islanders to take steps to protect their families in the event of a hurricane. Residents are strongly encouraged to develop and review a family emergency plan to ensure that everyone knows exactly what to do if severe weather strikes. It’s also important to create an emergency kit, a critically important tool for families, with enough supplies to last 72 hours.

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Advisory Council with its partners RIEMA, local EMA's and first responders are ready to respond before, during and after a hurricane hits our area. However, there are important steps individuals can take now to keep their families safe. Preparedness will go a long way towards helping you make safe decisions during an emergency when seconds count.

Hurricane Preparedness
Important Emergency Resources:

• Make a Disaster Supply Kit Now

• RI Emergency Management Agency: Hurricane Information
• Current Hurricane Info from the National Weather Service
• RI weather information from the National Weather Service
• River forecasts from the National Weather Service
• RI Department of Health: Hurricane Preparedness
• Emergency Telephone Numbers
• Emergency Resources
• Department of Health
• Poison Control
• E-911
• State Police
• State Fire Marshall
• FEMA
• Ready.gov
• U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security

More information:

• Emergency Shelters
  In the event of a hurricane in Rhode Island, public shelters can provide emergency, short-term shelter to the public.
  
• Hurricane Preparation for Boaters
  Important information and resources for boat owners about protecting your boat during a hurricane.
  
• Evacuation Decisions
  People have several choices for their evacuation destination.
  
• Special Needs
  If you or someone you know has special needs, you should be especially careful in emergency and preparedness planning before and after the disaster.
  
• Be Ready for Coastal Floods, Hurricanes
  If a hurricane were approaching the Rhode Island coastline, would you be ready to evacuate or ride out the storm at home?
  
• Animal Safety Plan
  If you are a pet owner, emergency planning before a disaster may save the life of your pet.
  
• Be Ready for Floods, Hurricanes Inland
  From the National Weather Service. Turn Around Don't Drown™ Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard.
  
• Do You Need Flood Insurance?
  From FEMA. Information and resources related to home and property insurance against floods.