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Tag: natural hazards

  • Protect your home and property: Gloucester Fire reminds Cape Ann of Wildfire Protection Plan amid red flag warning

    Protect your home and property: Gloucester Fire reminds Cape Ann of Wildfire Protection Plan amid red flag warning

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    High fire danger led the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning for the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts on Friday, and the Gloucester Fire Department would like to remind residents and business owners that they can help protect themselves by reviewing the Community Wildfire Protection Plan that was prepared by Cape Ann stakeholders this spring.

    The Cape Ann Community Wildfire Protection Plan website, https://bit.ly/3CjdhPT, provides detailed maps of Cape Ann along with numerous resources for home and business owners to protect their properties against fire. An entire section of the plan is focused on steps that home and property owners can take to help protect their properties.

    Among the tips for homeowners are reducing flammable brush within 5 feet of the home, keeping gutters clean and keeping trees trimmed back from homes and trimmed at least 10 feet from the ground.

    The  Cape Ann plan also identifies high-risk areas for wildfires and suggested strategies for preventing them and reducing risk.

    Those strategies include mechanical fuel treatments, in which vegetation that can fuel fires is managed; adding fire containment features to the environment, such as firebreaks; working with local home owners associations and residents to develop fuel break measures around homes and properties; working with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to establish forest projects that reduce wildfire risk; and implementing a community chipper program to encourage residents to keep brush and other vegetation cut back from their homes.

    “The Gloucester Fire Department and other regional, state and federal stakeholders put a lot of work into creating this plan earlier this year in preparation for the dangerous fire conditions we knew would come,” Deputy Chief Robert Rivas said. “We encourage homeowners and business owners to review the plan and learn what they can about simple ways to protect lives and property.”

    To learn more about the plan or to view its full details, visit https://bit.ly/3CjdhPT.

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  • Multiple brush fires spread across the region

    Multiple brush fires spread across the region

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    Several large brush fires broke out across the region this weekend amid the ongoing dry weather.

    A large brush fire had been smoldering for a day off Cain Road and Highland Avenue in Salem before flames broke out early Sunday morning.

    Salem firefighters were trying to contain the blaze via a controlled burn, according to reports, but also had to work to protect buildings and homes close to the flames. The fire also threatened a cell tower at one point.

    A public safety alert just before 10 a.m. urged residents to avoid the area.

    In Beverly, a brush fire broke out near 40 Enon St., behind McDonald’s toward Wenham Lake, on Saturday blanketing the area in smoke.

    Two brush fires were also reported in Topsfield on Saturday. And yet another brush fire was reported in Middleton Sunday afternoon near Emerson Brook Reservoir.

    A red flag warning is in place across Massachusetts, indicating extreme fire danger.

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    By News staff

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  • Beverly firefighters to deliver donations to hurricane victims

    Beverly firefighters to deliver donations to hurricane victims

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    BEVERLY — Beverly firefighters are heading to North Carolina on Saturday to deliver donations to help victims of Hurricane Helene.

    Fire Chief Pete O’Connor said the department put out a request for donations on Wednesday and got a “huge response.”

    “It’s been phenomenal,” he said.

    People have been dropping off items at Beverly Fire Department headquarters at 15 Hale St. over the last few days. Firefighters loaded the items onto two rental trucks and will drive them to a designated donation drop-off site at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina.

    Donated items include clothes, fans, charcoal grills, first aid supplies, flashlights, blankets and hygiene products, among other items. Donations are being accepted until 8 p.m. Friday.

    O’Connor said the relief effort was the idea of Lt. Mike Kraus. The Peabody and Danvers fire departments also became involved and collected donations.

    “It was definitely a team effort,” O’Connor said.

    Staff Writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at pleighton@salemnews.com, or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.

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    By Paul Leighton | Staff Writer

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  • Peabody lineworkers provide aid after Helene

    Peabody lineworkers provide aid after Helene

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    PEABODY — Two lineworkers from the Peabody Municipal Light Plant went down to Georgia to help fix in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

    Kevin MacGregor, a supervisor and lineworker, and Ed Melo, a lead lineworker and troubleworker, left for Cordele, Georgia, on Sept. 27 in PMLP’s Truck 58, PMLP said in a statement.

    PMLP was called upon by the Northeast Public Power Association’s mutual aid network to assist the South following the storm. Once in Georgia, MacGregor and Melo helped the Crisp County Power Commission work to restore power to thousands of people.

    “Mutual aid is an important investment in public power and other municipalities around the country. We are all partners,” PMLP General Manager Joe Anastasi said in the statement. “When natural disaster or other catastrophic events happen, utilities in cities and towns do what we do best: help get power restored to customers.”

    Mutual aid is fully paid for by the requesting utility company, PMLP said.

    “Although PMLP has not requested mutual aid, being a part of this network assures that Peabody and South Lynnfield will have support should it ever face such a disaster,” according to the statement.

    Other local public power utilities who have sent aid to areas affected by Hurricane Helene include Danvers, Wakefield, Rowley, Middleton and Reading.

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    By News Staff

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  • Beverly-based rescue team continues searches in NC, Florida

    Beverly-based rescue team continues searches in NC, Florida

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    Members of a Beverly-based search-and-rescue team are continuing to search for victims and help with recovery efforts in North Carolina and Florida in the wake of Hurricane Helene. A total of 61 members of Massachusetts Task Force 1 have responded to the area, including 56 in North Carolina and five in Florida, according to Thomas Gatzunis, a planning team manager, public information officer and structures specialist for the team. Hurricane Helene was one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history and is estimated to have killed more than 150 people in six states. Massachusetts Task Force 1 is one of 28 Federal Emergency Management Agency search-and-rescue teams in the nation. It is based at a compound next to Beverly Airport and is comprised of about 250 volunteers from all six New England states, including firefighters, police officers, doctors, paramedics, canine handlers and engineers. Here are photos provided by the team of their ongoing efforts in North Carolina.












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    Members of a Beverly-based search-and-rescue team are continuing to search for victims and help with recovery efforts in North Carolina and Florida in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

    A total of 61 members of Massachusetts Task Force 1 have responded to the area, including 56 in North Carolina and five in Florida, according to Thomas Gatzunis, a planning team manager, public information officer and structures specialist for the team.

    Hurricane Helene was one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history and is estimated to have killed more than 150 people in six states.

    Massachusetts Task Force 1 is one of 28 Federal Emergency Management Agency search-and-rescue teams in the nation. It is based at a compound next to Beverly Airport and is comprised of about 250 volunteers from all six New England states, including firefighters, police officers, doctors, paramedics, canine handlers and engineers.

    Here are photos provided by the team of their ongoing efforts in North Carolina.







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    By News Staff

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  • Flood, gale warnings in effect through weekend

    Flood, gale warnings in effect through weekend

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    The National Weather Serive has issued coastal flood and high tide advisories through this evening for the North Shore, from Salem to Newburyport.

    Second and third coastal flood advisories were issued for Friday at 11 p.m. to Saturday at 5 a.m., and for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    For the high surf advisory, large breaking waves can be expected in the surf zone Friday through 7 p.m., the weather service said.

    For the Friday afternoon coastal flood advisory, through 6 p.m. Friday, 1 to 2 feet of inundation above ground level may expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways (4.2 to 13.9 feet Mean Lower Low Water).

    Flooding up to 1 foot deep may affect coastal roads on the North Shore from Salem to Gloucester and Newburyport, the weather service said. Rough surf will cause flooding on some coastal roads around the time of high tide due to splashover.

    Mariners should be aware the National Weather Service has issued a gale warning through Saturday morning for coastal waters east of Ipswich Bay and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and for Massachusetts and Ipswich Bays.

    Northeast winds at 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 40 knots and 6- to 11-foot seas may be expected.

    The strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility, according to the weather service.

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  • Extended marine forecast

    Extended marine forecast

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    Forecast for coastal waters east of Ipswich Bay and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

    Friday: Northwest winds around 5 knots, becoming southeast in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave detail: Southeast 3 feet at 8 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning with visibility 1 to 3 nautical miles.

    Friday night: South winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming west after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave detail: southeast 3 feet at 9 seconds and south 1 foot at 2 seconds.

    Saturday: West winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave detail: Southeast 3 feet at 9 seconds and west 2 feet at 3 seconds.

    Saturday night: West winds 10 to 15 knots. Gusts up to 20 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave detail: West 2 feet at 3 seconds and southeast 2 feet at 8 seconds.

    Sunday and Sunday night: West winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave detail: Southwest 2 feet at 3 seconds and southeast 2 feet at 8 seconds. A chance of showers.

    Monday through Tuesday night: Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet.

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