Newport’s mansions develop hurricane plan

Perched on the picturesque Rhode Island coastline, the 11 Newport mansions are a national treasure. Once a summer getaway for the country’s wealthiest industrialists, today the historic mansions are a tourist attraction for 750,000 visitors each year.

Yet, as lovely as the mansions are, they are at serious risk should a hurricane threaten the Eastern Seaboard. To lessen the risk of damage to these grand houses, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co., the insurer of the Newport mansions, has worked with the Preservation Society of Newport County, the non-profit that owns them, to devise a three-phase hurricane preparedness plan.

During the first phase, the staff monitors the weather, including the direction and magnitude of the storm. State-of-the-art communication technology ensures that the staff is kept up-to-date. Each of the 11 mansions has its own disaster list that details the structure’s valuables and how to properly secure them to minimize loss. During phase one these lists are brought out and reviewed. As an added precaution, all outside furniture and statuary are brought indoors.

Phase two occurs when the storm is approximately 24 hours away. Experts review tide charts to gauge ocean levels, while the staff removes furniture, fine arts and other valuables to the second floor or from the house. Prefabricated storm shutters are installed on all windows and doors. During the late stages of phase two the property is evacuated of all personnel.

Phase three occurs after the storm has passed. The staff takes photos to document damage; makes insurance claims; cleans up debris and water damage; and then re-evaluates the individual disaster lists. It’s not unheard of for storms to hit one after another so there may be little time between phase three and gearing up for phase one again.