Hurricane/Tropical Storm Resources

Hurricane/Tropical Storm

Tropical Storm Henri is projected to move toward Connecticut in the coming days and strengthen to a hurricane before making landfall.

Current forecasts project that the storm will become a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday morning, and then make landfall on Sunday evening near the area of Stonington, Connecticut, along the Rhode Island border.

State of Emergency

The Governor will be requesting a presidential pre-landfall emergency declaration to provide the state with federal assistance in anticipation of the impacts of the storm. Additionally, the governor will be issuing a declaration of civil preparedness emergency to enable the state to take any actions necessary to protect the health and wellbeing of the people of Connecticut.

At the order of Governor Lamont, Major General Francis Evon, Adjutant General and Commander of the Connecticut National Guard, is calling 200 Guardsmen and women to state active duty beginning on Saturday morning to prepare teams and specialized equipment in support of the state’s response. Expected missions include high-wheeled vehicle search and rescue, route clearance, power generation, and commodities distribution, but may shift depending on the actual impact of the storm.

Hurricane Preparation/Response Tips

From the CT Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Office of the Governor

• Have an emergency kit ready at all times. Recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit:
  • One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • A whistle to signal for help
  • Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • A manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
  • Food and litter requirements for any pets
  • Medicine or any special need items, including diapers for infants
  • Cleaning supplies that disinfect for COVID-19 and face masks should they be needed at a shelter
  • You can learn more about building an emergency supply kit on Ready.gov.
• Have a plan for your family including children, loved ones with functional needs and pets. Ready.gov has information on how to plan for an emergency.
• Learn the evacuation routes (KNOW YOUR ZONE!) and where the designated shelters will be in your area in case you have to evacuate. Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter, and ask for the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
• Make plans to secure your property. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8″ marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
  • Emergency Board Up Instructions (Spanish)
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well-trimmed.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Determine how and where to secure your boat.
• Consider building a safe room.
• Make sure your gas tank is full of gas in case you have to evacuate.

Insurance Information

Provided by the CT Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection  and the Connecticut Insurance Department

Check with your insurance company about the National Flood Insurance Program as homeowners’ insurance does not cover flooding during a hurricane. Take photos of your home and its contents. For more information on preparing your home and making sure you have the right insurance coverage for a disaster, visit the Connecticut Department of Insurance.

• Home Inventory Checklist
• Frequently Asked Questions: Homeowners Storm Claims
• Homeowner’s Insurance Guide to Natural Disasters

If you have suffered damage due to Hurricane Henri these are the steps to take immediately:

• Take photos of the damage and remove personal property if your home cannot be secured. Do not dispose of property until an insurance adjuster has reviewed it for your claim.
• If you can still live in the home, talk with your agent about critical repairs that need to be made. Whether you make the repairs or hire someone, save the receipts for your claim.
• If you need to find other lodging, keep records of expenses and all receipts. Homeowners and renter’s insurance generally provide limited coverage for expenses like meals, rent, utility installation and transportation.

Reporting Your Claim

• Most insurance companies have a time requirement for filing a claim. The process will go faster if you can locate a copy of your policy and home inventory.
• Call the company or visit a mobile claims center to start your claim. If you need help locating your company or agent, contact the Connecticut Insurance Department at 800-203-3447 or use their online contact options.
• You will be asked to list all items destroyed, damaged or missing. If you do not have a home inventory, begin making a list of items going room by room from memory and include as much detail as possible. Home Inventory checklist
• If your car is damaged while in your garage/carport, it is covered by your automobile policy—not your homeowners policy. If you are insured by two separate companies for these coverages you must file a claim with both companies.

If you have difficulty reaching your insurer, have a claim dispute or have questions on any insurance-related topic you can reach the Connecticut Insurance Department by:

• Phone (800) 203-3447 or (860) 297-3900
• Or online
• As a safety measure, the Insurance Department office is currently closed to public visitors

Further tips on filing your storm related claim can be found here.

Stay Connected

Subscribe to alert services through CTAlert. Go to www.ct.gov/ctalert to register.

Connecticut residents are encouraged to download the state’s CTPrepares app for mobile devices. The app provides information that is useful in emergency situations and gives preparedness tips in advance of an emergency.