Hurricane Melissa Underscores the Importance of Coastal Preparedness on Cape Cod
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica today as a Category 5 storm, bringing catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and storm surge. Events like this remind us that coastal communities everywhere — including Cape Cod — face similar risks that can reach neighborhoods far from the beach.
Barnstable County’s Regional Emergency Planning Committee (REPC) coordinates regional preparedness and response efforts year-round, assisting towns with hazard planning and ensuring Cape Cod residents are ready when emergencies arise. Learn more at capecod.gov/REPC
To help Cape residents prepare, the Cape Cod Commission, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant created a shared online resource featuring local tools, maps, and guidance for homeowners and towns.
You can take simple, effective steps today:
✅ Check your flood risk
✅ Review the regional shelter map
✅ Download CoastSnap or MyCoast to share shoreline photos
✅ Read the Homeowner’s Handbook to make your home storm-ready
Explore all these tools and more at capecod.gov/coastalspotlight
Coastal resilience starts with preparation — and it starts now.
