Peabody officials advise Earl preparation

By Sean Teehan, Town Correspondent

As Hurricane Earl draws closer, city officials and meteorologists advise Peabody residents to take proper precautions.

Although state officials expect Cape Cod and the South Shore to see the worst of Earl, North Shore cities and towns can expect strong wind gusts and heavy rain, said Kim Buttrick, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Taunton.

Peabody, along with the rest of the North Shore is expected to experience wind gusts between 40 and 50 mph and one to three inches of rain, according to Buttrick.

"The strongest wind will be coincident with the strongest rain," which forecasts say will hit between 6 p.m. and midnight, Buttrick said.

Peabody Mayor Michael Bonfanti issued a statement advising residents to secure their property (including roofs) and to make sure trees and shrubs are well trimmed.

Bonfanti also issued a statement asking able-bodied Peabody residents to clear debris from city drains before the storm.

"The city has several thousands drains, culverts and outlets throughout the city and cannot monitor and clean all of them," the statement said.

Buttrick advised North Shore residents to secure outdoor possessions such as lawn furniture and bicycles.

"If you can secure anything, now would be the time to do it, today before the sun goes down," Buttrick said.