New Hampshire officials were urging people to be prepared Wednesday for the possible effects of Hurricane Lee.The storm’s track isn’t clear, but officials said it will cause rough surf and rip currents and could also bring strong winds and heavy rain.Seacoast officials said people should consider their ability in the water before getting in.”We don’t want to have to put lifeguards and firefighters in jeopardy to save somebody who really shouldn’t have been there,” said Hampton Fire Chief Michael McMahon. The Coast Guard urged people to stay informed and watch the forecast as the storm gets closer. Everyone should have an emergency kit ready with food, water and other essentials, and make sure all communication devices are charged.The American Red Cross is ready to respond to New Hampshire, if needed, as Lee pushes north.”We’ve responded to more disasters this year than any other year. And we will be where we need to be,” said Dan Dowling with the American Red Cross of Northern New England. “We currently have about 25 shelter teams ready to go, as well as 40 Red Cross emergency vehicles ready to respond.”Mariners were advised to stay off the water until the storm is over. If they can’t return to shore before the storm hits, they should have a life vest on, try to seek shelter and call for help, but know that assistance may be limited or unavailable immediately before, during or after the storm. “We will have some impacts from this, and we are subject to coastal flooding on a storm surge that happens with hurricanes,” McMahon said.McMahon said property owners in those areas should tie down loose objects and furniture and never walk or drive in flooded waters because there could be electrical hazards or other unknown dangers.”We will staff an additional firefighter at the beach to assist with evacuations should that become necessary, though I don’t think it will in a general sense,” McMahon said.Rye police are working with other agencies like the Department of Transportation to pull together resources, just like the Red Cross, and bring in volunteers from out-of-state.”We are keeping close communication with local and state authorities to determine where the best places for us to be as the storm arrives and we’ll be where we need to be to help folks after the storm moves through,” Dowling said.All events scheduled this weekend at the beach are still on, but officials said people should monitor social media and websites for updates or cancellations.They also asked that people avoid going to the beach just to see how the storm is affecting the water, saying it can be dangerous with rocks or debris coming over the seawall.
New Hampshire officials were urging people to be prepared Wednesday for the possible effects of Hurricane Lee.
The storm’s track isn’t clear, but officials said it will cause rough surf and rip currents and could also bring strong winds and heavy rain.
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Seacoast officials said people should consider their ability in the water before getting in.
“We don’t want to have to put lifeguards and firefighters in jeopardy to save somebody who really shouldn’t have been there,” said Hampton Fire Chief Michael McMahon.
The Coast Guard urged people to stay informed and watch the forecast as the storm gets closer. Everyone should have an emergency kit ready with food, water and other essentials, and make sure all communication devices are charged.
The American Red Cross is ready to respond to New Hampshire, if needed, as Lee pushes north.
“We’ve responded to more disasters this year than any other year. And we will be where we need to be,” said Dan Dowling with the American Red Cross of Northern New England. “We currently have about 25 shelter teams ready to go, as well as 40 Red Cross emergency vehicles ready to respond.”
Mariners were advised to stay off the water until the storm is over. If they can’t return to shore before the storm hits, they should have a life vest on, try to seek shelter and call for help, but know that assistance may be limited or unavailable immediately before, during or after the storm.
“We will have some impacts from this, and we are subject to coastal flooding on a storm surge that happens with hurricanes,” McMahon said.
McMahon said property owners in those areas should tie down loose objects and furniture and never walk or drive in flooded waters because there could be electrical hazards or other unknown dangers.
“We will staff an additional firefighter at the beach to assist with evacuations should that become necessary, though I don’t think it will in a general sense,” McMahon said.
Rye police are working with other agencies like the Department of Transportation to pull together resources, just like the Red Cross, and bring in volunteers from out-of-state.
“We are keeping close communication with local and state authorities to determine where the best places for us to be as the storm arrives and we’ll be where we need to be to help folks after the storm moves through,” Dowling said.
All events scheduled this weekend at the beach are still on, but officials said people should monitor social media and websites for updates or cancellations.
They also asked that people avoid going to the beach just to see how the storm is affecting the water, saying it can be dangerous with rocks or debris coming over the seawall.