SUGGESTED PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW FOR THOSE IN RESIDENCE AT THE
DORCHESTER IN CASE OF A HURRICANE.
 
 

I. RETAIN A LEVEL HEAD AND USE COMMON SENSE IN ALL PREPARATIONS FOR PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY.

2. REMOVE FROM YOUR PORCH ALL FURNITURE AND LOOSE OR SEMI - LOOSE OBJECTS THAT COULD BECOME PROJECTILES IN A STRONG WIND OR STORM, EVEN IF YOU LEAVE FOR A WEEKEND IN JUNE THRU OCTOBER.

3. YOUR VEHICLE GAS TANK SHOULD BE FULL AND HAVE EMERGENCY ROAD EQUIPMENT. MEDICAL SUPPLIES NEEDED SHOULD BE OBTAINED TO LAST FOR AT LEAST A WEEK. (SHOP EARLY)

4. HAVE A ONE WEEK SUPPLY OF VERY BASIC NON-SPOILING FOODS, ALONG WITH A SUPPLY OF DRINKING AND COOKING WATER. FILL BATHTUBS (SPECIAL HEAVY DUTY, LARGE STOPPERS ARE AVAILABLE IN MOST HARDWARE STORES.)

5. FLASHLIGHTS, BATTERY POWERED RADIOS AND AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF BATTERIES SHOULD BE STOCKPILED. ELECTRICITY COULD BE OFF FOR A WEEK OR MORE AND THE STORM RELATED INFORMATION FROM YOUR RADIO IS ESSENTIAL.

6. HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY OF MOPS, BUCKETS, WIPING CLOTHS, ETC. DURING EVEN A MINIMAL HURRICANE, SINCE WATER INTRUSION INTO BUILDING WILL LIKELY OCCUR.

7. BE SURE ALL SLIDER GLASS DOORS ARE COMPLETELY CLOSED AND LOCKED. UNLOCKED DOORS HAVE A TENDENCY TO WORK OPEN IN STRONG WINDS. TO MINIMIZE WATER DAMAGE, STUFF NEWSPAPERS AND/OR TOWELS IN TRACKS.

8. TAPING OF WINDOWS IS AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE.

9. DORCHESTER’S EMERGENCY GENERATOR HAS THE CAPABILITY TO RUN AND DELIVER LIMITED POWER TO THE BUILDING FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS IN CASE OF CONVENTIONAL POWER FAILURE (PROVIDED IT IS NOT RENDERED INOPERABLE). EMERGENCY LIGHTS, ELEVATORS, GARAGE SECURITY GATES, INDIVIDUAL REFRIGERATORS, AND THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM, ARE A FEW OF THE BUILDING AREAS COVERED BY EMERGENCY POWER. THE GENERATOR DOES NOT SUPPLY POWER TO THE UNITS

10. BEFORE A STORM HITS AND IF YOU PLAN TO STAY, TRY TO LOCATE A PLACE WITHIN THE BUILDING (SUCH AS THE SINK ROOM OR THE STAIRWELL) WHERE YOU WILL SEEK SHELTER AND LET THE MANAGER AND FRIENDS KNOW. IF STAYING, FOR YOUR OWN SECURITY AND FEELING OF EASE, KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FELLOW RESIDENTS.

II. IF A STORM SURGE OF 3 FEET OR MORE IS PREDICTED, REMEMBER THAT THE FLOOR ELEVATION OF THE GARAGE IS ONLY 3 FEET AND 4 FEET HIGH, SO IT COULD BE FLOODED.

12. SHOULD YOU PLAN TO GO INLAND OR TO ANOTHER AREA TO ESCAPE THE STORM, PLEASE DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, AS ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT, AND TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAYS WILL BE EXTREMELY HEAVY.

13. A LOT OF ADVISE HAS BEEN GIVEN OVER THE YEARS AS TO THE
USE OF CANDLES FOR LIGHT. A WORD OF CAUTION! MANY FIRES HAVE STARTED THIS WAY, SO IF YOU USE THEM, BE SURE YOU ARE PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR PROPERTY FROM FIRE. TRY TO USE CANDLES IN GLASS.

14. FOR A SHORT TIME - TO SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE STORM HAS
PASSED, THERE WILL BE OPPRESSIVE HEAT, HUMIDITY AND BAROMETRIC PRESSURE. TRY TO STAY AS COOL AND COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE AND KEEP DOWN EXERTION UNTIL THIS CONDITION HAS PASSED.

15. PLEASE KEEP YOUR BUILDING MANAGER AND FELLOW RESIDENTS INFORMED IF YOU ARE STAYING OR LEAVING THE BUILDING.

16. WE WILL HAVE MEETINGS WHEN A STORM IS IMMINENT TO ORIENT EVERYONE IN RESIDENCE AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND COORDINATION. MEETINGS WILL BE CALLED VIA THE PUBLIC ADDRESS LOUDSPEAKERS IN THE APARTMENTS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT AT LEAST ONE RESIDENT FROM EVERY OCCUPIED APARTMENT ATTEND.

GOOD LUCK!