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MAIN BARNSTABLE COUNTY > MAIN COUNTY FEATURED NEWS > [9:00 AM] July 8, 2021 | Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee is on Alert for Tropical Storm Elsa

[9:00 AM] July 8, 2021 | Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee is on Alert for Tropical Storm Elsa

Published on: July 8, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee is on Alert for Tropical Storm Elsa

Public asked to take safeguards as Elsa is expected to pass over southeast New England around dawn on Friday July 9.

July 8, 2021 (Barnstable, MA) – Members of the Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC) held a conference call on Thursday morning, July 8 to review Tropical Storm Elsa’s current conditions and anticipated path. The BCREPC wants to reassure Barnstable County residents and visitors that a coordinated response takes place in our region in the event of severe weather. The public should take precautions and be prepared, especially for power outages and high winds.

BCREPC Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) will be monitoring developments through the early morning hours and will facilitate another regional coordination meeting on Friday morning.  At this time, the BCREPC does not anticipate opening regional shelters unless there is significant impact to the region.

Eversource is currently securing additional resources for the Cape and Islands in response to power outages.

UPDATES AND GUIDANCE

Elsa is expected to pass over southeast New England early tomorrow morning, Friday July 9.  The Cape and Islands could potentially see 1-2 + inches of rainfall. There is also a potential for dangerous marine conditions such as rough surf and rip currents, especially around the south coast of the Cape and Islands.

  • Winds likely from 50-55 mph, especially from southeast. Enhanced wind gusts of 60-65 mph possible in some areas. Take action to secure loose outdoor objects.
  • Possible damage to trees, power lines, and property.
  • Strong likelihood of for power outages.

Additional information on preparedness is available from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at www.mass.gov/mema or the FEMA website at www.ready.gov. Residents can also call 2-1-1. For specific local information, citizens should contact the emergency management office in their town.

ABOUT THE BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE (BCREPC) The BCREPC was founded in September 2002 to assist the communities on Cape Cod and the Town of Nantucket with addressing hazardous materials emergency planning and response as required by the federal government. Today, the BCREPC has expanded its scope to include “All Hazard” emergency planning issues such as storm response, sheltering and grants management. The BCREPC is a coalition of emergency management, law enforcement, fire service, health care, public health, public works, EMS, military, and numerous other affiliated agencies as outlined by the Massachusetts State Emergency Response Committee (SERC). It represents the towns of Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, and Yarmouth in Barnstable County, and the town of Nantucket in Nantucket County. The REPC is coordinated by the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment. Visit www.bcrepc.org

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