FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Peter Judge
July 17, 2002 (508) 820-2002
MASSACHUSETTS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK DECLARED
MEMA & Local Officials Prepare for Hurricane Season
Framingham, MA – To help increase public awareness of the effects hurricanes can have
on the Commonwealth, Governor Jane Swift has declared the week of July 21 through
July 27, 2002 “Massachusetts Hurricane Preparedness Week”.
“As part of „Hurricane Preparedness Week‟, the Massachusetts Emergency Management
Agency (MEMA) has planned two very special events,” stated MEMA Director Stephen
J. McGrail. On Wednesday, July 24th from 9:00AM until noon, MEMA will host its
Annual Massachusetts Emergency Management Team (MEMT) Hurricane Workshop.
The MEMT, which is composed of representatives of many, state, federal, local, public,
private and volunteer agencies and organizations, will listen to presentations from the
National Weather Service, FEMA and MEMA regarding Summer Weather and the
upcoming Hurricane Season. Following the presentations, MEMA will begin a 2-day
Hurricane Exercise, focusing on the Preparedness Phase for an approaching hurricane.
This activity will be conducted in a facilitated discussion format. On Thursday, July 25 th
On Thursday, July 25th the exercise will change to a round table functional exercise and
will focus on Animals in Disasters, Debris Management/Infrastructure Restoration,
Traffic & Access Control, and Resource Needs & Staging Areas. Both events will be
conducted at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), located at MEMA
Headquarters in Framingham, MA.
The last severe hurricane to hit Massachusetts was Hurricane Bob in August 1991. Bob
was a Category 2 Hurricane (winds 91-110mph) which caused almost $1 billion in
damage. Hurricane Edouard (1996) and Hurricane Bonnie (1998) threatened
Massachusetts, but veered out to sea as they traveled up the coast. In 1999, Hurricane
Floyd fortunately weakened to a tropical storm prior to its arrival in the Bay State. The
Atlantic Hurricane season began June 1st and continues until November 30th.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency
responsible for coordinating federal, state and local resources to protect the public during
disasters and emergencies. MEMA helps develop plans for effective response to all
hazards, trains emergency personnel, provides information to families and communities,
and assists in recovery from disaster losses. You can learn about MEMA and Hurricanes
by visiting the MEMA homepage at www.state.ma.us/mema.