Hurricane
Passes - NEW PROCEDURE!
There
is a new process for the Hurricane Evacuation and
Re-entry Pass procedure from the Westerly Police
Department.
Evacuations,
if necessary, will be
suggested, but not mandatory. The red passes are no
longer necessary, but will be honored. Re-entry will be
based on cross referencing the red pass or a photo ID
with town property records. A photo ID can include a
non-Rhode Island issued driver's license. A command
post will be set up between Watch Hill and Haversham on
Route 1A.
CodeRED® Service

Learn
more about Westerly's CodeRED service by clicking the logo (Opens
PDF).
Hurricane Terms to Know
Tropical Storm Watch
- A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical storm conditions (winds between 39 - 73 mph) are possible within 36 hours.
Tropical Storm Warning
- Is issued when tropical storm conditions (winds between 39 - 73 mph) are expected in the warning area within 24 hours or less.
Hurricane Watch
- Is issued when hurricane conditions (winds greater then 74 mph) threaten the watch area within 36 hours.
Hurricane Warning
- A Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 74 mph or greater are expected in the warning area within 24 hours or less.
Rating Hurricanes: The Saffir-Simpson Scale
Category 1
- Winds of 74 - 95 mph: Damage is primarily to shrubbery, trees, mobile homes, and poorly constructed signs. Some low-lying coastal roads may be flooded.
Category 2
- Winds of 96 - 110 mph: Moderate damage to trees and shrubbery. Substantial damage to exposed mobile homes and street signs. Minor structural damage to doors, windows, roofs, and local piers. Low-lying areas usually flooded.
Category 3
- Winds of 111 - 130 mph: Signs and large trees are blown down. Major damage to mobile homes and piers. Serious flooding of low-lying areas will leave a substantial number of structures in those areas destroyed.
Category 4
- Winds of 131 - 155 mph: Trees, shrubs, and signs are blown down. Major damage to roofs, doors, and windows. Major flooding as far as six miles inland, resulting in major beach erosion and leaving most structures in the flood zone either heavily damaged or completely destroyed.
Category 5
- Winds greater then 155 mph: Catastrophic damage to most coastal areas as well as major damage to areas further inland. Low-lying cities completely destroyed.

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As
always, know your area. Have a place to go. Are you going to the "home
of a family member or friend, motel or shelter in case you are
asked to evacuate your home or your community?" |