Hurricane Earl threatens Mass. and R.I.; businesses should prepare

PROVIDENCE – Several areas in Massachusetts have been placed on the hurricane warning list and parts of Rhode Island are under a tropical storm warning, according to the latest data issued by the National Hurricane Center.

The areas include southeast Providence, eastern Kent, Bristol, Washington and Newport counties and Block Island. A hazardous weather outlook is seen for the rest of the state.

At a minimum, the areas can expect extremely high winds, rain and dangerous surf.

“Preparation is the watchword of the hour,” said the American Red Cross in a statement. “Given the risk to the state, and our recent experience with spring flooding, everyone involved is on high alert.”

Flood conditions could be bad in the Blackstone and Pawtuxet valley areas and there could be 4-8 inches of rain, the organization predicted.

Rhode Island business owners should take the storm threat seriously and not gamble on whether it will come ashore, said Jeff Beauman, vice president of commercial property insurer FM Global.

“Hurricanes are the kinds of risks that are inherent to Rhode Island, but the damage that businesses are exposed to is preventable,” he said to Providence Business News on Thursday.

Beauman offered several tips to local business owners to prevent storm damage.

• Flood damage – make sure valuable equipment and property inventory is moved out of the basement and off the floor.

• Wind damage – minimize property damage by securing equipment, especially on roofs, and protect windows and doors.

• Loss of business services – winds are expected to be high enough to bring down power lines. If your business does not have an emergency generator, be prepared to shut down operations that require electricity.

• Staff – be prepared to be short on staff in the few days after the storm. Identify the key employees and how to bring in extra people if needed.

The Red Cross urges people to be aware of evacuation routes, stock up on flashlights, batteries, water, first aid kits, battery-powered radios and food that can be consumed without cooking.