PORTSMOUTH — Find out what you can do to protect yourselves from severe weather events at a free presentation in Common Fence Point on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

All are welcome to attend “Understanding the Impact of Severe Weather on our Community,” which is designed to build coastal community awareness of severe storms and weather impacts on coastal communities, at 6:30 p.m. at the CFP Arts, Wellness & Community Center, 933 Anthony Road.

The event will feature speaker David Vallee, hydrologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service’s Northeast River Forecast Center.

The event is sponsored by the Common Fence Point Preparedness Committee, which grew out of community efforts last year to build coastal resiliency. 

The committee’s goals are to connect Common Fence Point community members and respond to their needs, share pertinent information and resources, promote community preparedness and resilience building activities, and coordinate with the Town of Portsmouth, state, and other stakeholders. 

The community is working this year with the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center and other partners, including the Town of Portsmouth and its emergency management team, as well as the Narragansett Bay Research Reserve, to educate neighbors and encourage their involvement in taking steps to protect their homes and surrounding community.

“We are thrilled to invite everyone to this presentation and gathering, because we here in Common Fence Point now have the opportunity to make our neighborhood ready for change, and we want others to know that they can do this too,” said Jim Fogarty, committee chairman. 

To attend, RSVP at www.tiny.cc/cfppc, or call 401/874-6135.  Refreshments will be provided by the All Abilities Committee.

The initiative to build resiliency in Common Fence Point is funded by Rhode Island Sea Grant, the Prince Charitable Trusts, and the van Beuren Charitable Foundation.