Hurricane Irene update from Durham Town Administrator, Todd Selig:
Hurricane Irene Update
Sunday, August 28, 2011 – 9:40 AMDear Members of the Community,
In an effort to not unnecessarily overwhelm email accounts, we are working to keep public service messaging to a minimum.
However, some information may be of general interest to residents, UNH students, and visitors as Hurricane Irene makes its arrival in Southern New Hampshire.
UNH HAS OPENED THE HAMEL RECREATION CENTER UP TO RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS FOR SHOWERS AND FOR USE AS A RESPITE AREA IF NEEDED
The University of New Hampshire has graciously opened its Hamel Recreation Center up to residents and UNH students for showers and as a respite location. The facility is located at 128 Main Street, Durham, NH [MAP] and is open at this time. The web link is http://campusrec.unh.edu/index.cfm?id=9438EBD2-B06D-9BFD-FAD67F6A461B9D8D.
PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNS STATE OF EMERGENCY & STORM TRACK UPDATE
President Obama signed a State of Emergency Declaration for New Hampshire on 08/27/11.
The first bands of rain from Hurricane Irene began falling on New Hampshire late last night. NWS Gray indicates that the center of the storm is predicted to cross over Southern NH 4:00 pm and Northern NH 9:00 PM Sunday 08/28. At the time the center of the storm crosses NH winds will die down, picking back up for Southern NH between the hours of 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, and Northern NH 10:00 pm and 12:00 am. A tropical storm warning is in effect for all of NH. For additional information concerning Irene, see the National Hurricane Center Website at HTTP://www.NHC.NOAA.GOV.
WEATHER PREDICTION FOR SOUTHERN, NH SUNDAY
Tropical storm conditions expected. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog before 10am, then Patchy fog after 2pm. High near 75. Southeast wind 40 to 50 mph increasing to between 45 and 55 mph. Winds could gust as high as 75 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts in excess of 4 inches possible.
Tonight: Tropical storm conditions expected. Showers likely, mainly before midnight. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog before 2am. Otherwise, cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 58. West wind 45 to 55 mph decreasing to between 15 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 79. West wind between 9 and 13 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. West wind between 5 and 7 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
WHERE IS THE SHELTER FOR DURHAM LOCATED IF ACTIVATED?
At this time, the UNH Hamel Recreation Center is open for showers and respite. (See note above.)
Should full scale sheltering be required, the Oyster River High School located at 55 Coe Drive, Durham [MAP] and the Whittemore Center located at 128 Main Street, Durham [MAP] would be the two identified locations in town. Depending upon conditions, either might be utilized. There are no shelters open in Durham at this time.
Regional shelters were open in Kingston, Nashua, Keene and Bow as of 6:00 pm 08/27/11 as part of the State of NH Emergency Response System.
JOINT DURHAM OPERATIONAL COMMAND CENTER ACTIVATED
To ensure limited personnel are optimally deployed today, at 6 AM Saturday a Joint Operation Command Center was activated at the Durham Fire Department for police, fire, UNH, and public works forces.
Public Works has tree crews on call, detour signs available, barricades ready, equipment fueled, and construction projects buttoned up.
The Durham Fire and Police Departments will have additional shift staffing available as needed.
WHO TO CALL TO REPORT A POWER OUTAGE
During a power outage, residents who obtain power from Public Service of New Hampshire are encouraged to contact PSNH directly at 1-800-662-7764 to report their outage.
For a limited number of Durham households who obtain electricity from New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC), the phone number to report outages is 1-800-343-6432.
For a limited number of Durham households who obtain electricity from Unitil, the phone number to report outages is 1-866-761-6645.
Members of the community are encouraged to make note of the contact numbers now so they are readily available if power is lost.
WHO TO CALL IN DURHAM FOR GENERAL ASSISTANCE
If residents need general assistance, they may contact either the Durham Fire Department at 868-5531 or the Durham Police Department at 868-2324.
Residents with an emergency are urged to call 911.
TUNE IN TO THE TOWN’S LIST SERVER FOR EMERGENCY INFORMATION AS WELL AS THE TOWN’S WEB SITE
As has been the case in the past, the Town will endeavor to issue public service alerts as needed to the extent we are able to logistically able to do so. Please encourage people who may not regularly subscribe to the weekly “Friday Updates” to sign up to receive public service broadcasts via the “Friday Updates” system via a portal on the Town’s home page at www.ci.durham.nh.us.
FIRE DEPARTMENT GOES DOOR TO DOOR IN BENNETT ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD
On Thursday afternoon, 8/25/11, firefighters went door to door within the Bennett Road/Cold Springs Road neighborhood encouraging residents to take appropriate precautions given the propensity of that area to flood and be cut off during heavy rain events. If the neighborhood does become isolated due to flooding, the Fire Department will again endeavor to post a crew within the isolated area to provide assistance.
FIRE THURSDAY ON MAST ROAD
There was a serious structure fire this past Thursday morning at 256 Mast Road. This is a UNH property occupied by maintenance personnel. Occupants of the structure were not injured. Two cats perished. Three dogs were saved. One dog was provided CPR by fire personnel and was miraculously saved. Unfortunately, one Durham firefighter had to be transported to the hospital following the fire. After an evaluation, the firefighter was released.
We continue to monitor the situation closely. Durham and UNH are hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst.
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, NH
T. 603.868.5571 || F. 603.868.5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us || www.ci.durham.nh.us
[UPDATE] Saturday changed to Sunday in headlines above.
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