PrepScore

Prepping in Boston

Boston's big storms come off the ocean: nor'easters, coastal floods and the occasional hurricane. Most of the city shelters in place, but waterfront neighborhoods need an evacuation plan.

  • Nor'easters
  • Coastal flooding
  • Heat waves

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The official Boston alert and lookup tools. Each takes a few minutes and works even if you do nothing else on this page.

Links checked October 2026. Wireless Emergency Alerts reach most phones automatically; these add local detail.

What can go wrong in Boston

Nor'easters and blizzards
Winter 2015 brought Boston its snowiest season on record, more than 100 inches.
Coastal flooding
A January 2018 nor'easter pushed seawater into the Seaport and downtown waterfront streets.
Hurricanes
Rare but possible. Low-lying waterfront areas face storm surge.
Heat waves
Older housing often lacks central AC.

What that means for your plan

Look up your zone, especially near the harbor, in East Boston, South Boston, the Seaport or Dorchester's waterfront. If your zone is ordered to leave, go early.

For winter storms, stock up before the forecast hits, keep warm layers and sleeping bags ready, and know your street's parking rules during snow emergencies.

In older apartments, plan for heat too: a fan you can run from battery power and a cool place you can get to.

Do these first, in this order

  1. AlertBoston and your zone

    Two minutes each.

    Radios and communication guide
  2. Warmth without power

    Nor'easter outages come in the cold.

    Lighting and staying warm guide
  3. Two weeks of water

    Stackable containers for apartments.

    Water storage and filters guide
  4. Go-bag

    For waterfront evacuations and fires.

    Go-bags and evacuation guide
  5. Power station

    Phones, lights and a fan or heated blanket.

    Power stations and generators guide
  6. No-cook food

    Stores close and shelves empty before big storms.

    Emergency food and cooking guide

Questions

How do I find my hurricane evacuation zone in Boston?

Use the Massachusetts Know Your Zone map on mass.gov. Zones are A, B and C; Zone A floods first, and Zone C applies only to Boston and Cambridge.

How do I sign up for AlertBoston?

Sign up on the City of Boston's alerts and notifications page. You can choose text, call or email and pick from 11 languages.

How ready is your Boston home?

The quiz weights every item for city apartment risks and shows your top gaps. About 3 minutes, no sign-up.

Get your PrepScore