The City of Holyoke encourages its residents and businesses to plan for local severe weather, including tropical storms and hurricanes and their effects.

Here are a few tips to protect your property from the effects of tropical storms or hurricanes:

1.  Keep catch basin grates clear of leaves and other debris.  Do not sweep trash into the catch basins.

2.  Trim dead branches from around your home or business.  USE CAUTION- watch for overhead wires.

3.  Clean out gutters and down spouts on your home or building.

4.  Secure yard items such as trash cans or umbrellas that may be swept away in heavy rain or wind.  If you live near a stream, secure yard items that may be caught in flood waters.

5.  Notify DPW at 413-322-5645 if culverts, streams or street drains appear clogged or contain debris.  It is important to inspect culverts, stream channels or drainage swales for debris prior to heavy rain!

6.  Have a family safety kit ready to use.   Here's how.

7.  DO NOT drive through standing water.  DO NOT swim in heavy currents.

8.  Install erosion control (haybales/silt fence) if you have loose soil piles or an active construction site.

9.  Monitor the weather at NOAA, weather.com, or accuweather.com

10.  Review additional emergency information from the Red Cross, FEMA, or MEMA.