Provincetown Health Department

09/28/2026

Let's go Provincetown, participate in this community health equity survey to help ensure our rural voice is heard:

Health Resources in Action in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is excited to share that the Community Health Equity Survey (CHES) is now LIVE! Go to https://www.mass.gov/community-health-equity-survey

As in 2020 and 2023, the survey collects data on the social and structural causes of health experienced by Massachusetts residents, specifically among communities impacted by structural racism and other drivers of inequities.

The Community Health Equity Initiative collaborates with community, state, and local partners in using data to drive funding, programming, and policy change to advance health equity.

The survey will be open into November. Ensure Provincetown's voice is included!

09/26/2026

Keep it closed:

CAPE COD. STEP AWAY FROM THE REFRIGERATOR.
If the power goes out, we know the routine.
Open the fridge. Look around. Close the fridge.
Eleven minutes later: I wonder how the cheese is doing.
The cheese is fine. Leave it alone.

And remember: THIS ISN’T A WINTER POWER OUTAGE.
It’s still relatively warm outside. If the power goes out, Mother Nature is not providing us with a complimentary walk-in freezer.

So while the power is still on:
🧊 Freeze some water bottles or gel packs. They can help keep food cold longer if the power goes out.
🌡️ Check that your refrigerator is 40°F or below and your freezer is 0°F or below.
🥶 Find the coolers before you need them. Maybe dump out the beach sand that’s been in there since July while you’re at it.
🚪 If the power goes out, KEEP THE FRIDGE AND FREEZER CLOSED.

We’ve updated our Power Outage Food and Water Safety on Cape Cod guide with what to keep, what to toss, freezer guidance, floodwater and private well information, and more. The CDC also has printable food safety guides. Print one. Stick it on the fridge. Give it a place of honor among the magnets and takeout menus.
Read the full guide:
capecod.gov/2026/09/25/power-outage-food-safety-cape-cod/

More Cape Cod storm preparedness information: capecod.gov/prepare

Your refrigerator has one job this weekend. Let it concentrate.

09/25/2026

Latest storm preparedness update:

🌧️ Nor’easter Update: Prepare for High Winds, Possible Power Outages & Flooding 🌊

A Nor’easter will bring heavy rain and strong winds today through the weekend. The most hazardous conditions are expected Friday night through Saturday.

💨 Wind gusts of 45–60 mph could bring down limbs and cause power outages. Eversource is preparing for the possibility of outages lasting more than a day.

🌊 3–5 inches of rain and high tides could cause flooding, especially in low-lying and poor-drainage areas of the West End. Move vehicles and valuables from flood-prone areas, secure loose outdoor items, and charge your devices now. Never drive through floodwater.

🦪 The Commonwealth has issued a precautionary storm closure, and all recreational shellfishing in Provincetown is closed beginning a half-hour before sunrise on Saturday, September 26, 2026, until further notice. The East End is the only area in town open to recreational shellfishing at this time. All other areas are already closed, so this closure affects the East End. Digging, harvesting, or possessing shellfish from any Massachusetts waters is prohibited during the closure. This is a rainfal closure due to bacteria harmful to humans is stormwater. The Shellfish Department will announce when the area reopens.

ℹ️ No local or regional shelter is scheduled to open at this time. The Town and County are monitoring the storm and are prepared to address needs if conditions change.

📞 Important numbers

▪️Emergency: 911
▪️Police (non-emergency): 508-487-1212
▪️Fire (non-emergency): 508-487-7023
▪️Public Works: 508-487-7060 / [email protected]
▪️Eversource outages: 1-800-592-2000 / https://www.eversource.com/residential/outages
▪️Verizon service issues: 1-800-837-4966
▪️Comcast service issues: 1-800-266-2278

Read the full Town alert: https://www.provincetown-ma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/1951
Sign up for Town alerts: https://www.provincetown-ma.gov/alerts

09/24/2026

Batten down the hatches, Provincetown and stay safe! If you aren't getting the Provincetown Alerts to keep posted as this NorEaster progresses, sign up at https://alerts.provincetown-ma.gov/

09/23/2026

For a detailed storm preparedness post, see https://www.provincetown-ma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/1951 and for home food safety, here:

09/23/2026

Important preparedness alert:

⚠️ Town of Provincetown Monitoring Potential Weekend Coastal Storm; Residents Encouraged to Prepare 🌊

The Town is monitoring a potential Nor'easter coastal storm that could bring strong winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding, beach erosion and dangerous marine conditions beginning late Friday.

Residents, property owners and businesses should begin preparing now:

🏠 Secure outdoor furniture, trash and recycling containers, decorations and other loose items.

🚗 Move vehicles and other property away from low-lying or flood-prone areas.

🌧️ Clear gutters, downspouts and storm drains where it is safe to do so.

🔋 Charge phones and backup batteries, check emergency supplies, and prepare for possible power outages and blocked roads.

SANDBAGS AVAILABLE

Sandbags will be available to Provincetown residents and property owners at the Highway Garage (24 Race Point Rd.) from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, and Thursday, September 24.

Sandbags are limited to 10 per property. Residents should be prepared to fill their own bags. Filled bags will be available for those who are physically unable to fill them.

Please take reasonable precautions now and continue monitoring Town updates as the forecast develops.

🔗 Full storm alert and preparedness information:
https://buff.ly/g62LQ8s

09/18/2026

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) provides guidance for Pediatric Immunization Schedules in a 'Back to School' PSA, "A Time-Tested Way to Protect Children" - see https://www.provincetown-ma.gov/2575/Vaccine-Preventable-Illnesses-Informatio for this post and other resources.

09/17/2026

Upcoming vaccine clinic for Provincetown residents and workers, October 22 at Town Hall. To pre-register, go to https://www.provincetown-ma.gov/1389/Provincetown-Public-Health-Programming

The Provincetown Health Department, in partnership with the Barnstable County Public Health Nursing Program, will hold a public COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine clinic on Thursday, October 22 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at Provincetown Town Hall located at 260 Commercial Street.

Learn more and register for your vaccines at https://buff.ly/o9odByl

09/17/2026

The Provincetown Board of Health's position is that the best wastewater disposal and treatment plan for all Provincetown properties is connection to the municipal sewer, when it becomes available.

The Board of Health supports full sewer availability to address public health and environmental risks for the following reasons:

- Onsite systems are not the future of wastewater management in Provincetown;
- Provincetown’s density makes it more difficult to manage wastewater with onsite systems;
- Cesspools or older non-engineered systems need to be replaced with responsible wastewater disposal; and
- Increased climate-induced flooding risk is expected to worsen this decade and beyond.

Sewer collection and professional wastewater treatment results in the highest quality disposal, protecting ground- and surface water resources.

📅 Join us TODAY (Thursday, September 17) at 5:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Community Center (VMCC) for a community meeting about proposed changes to Provincetown’s sewer betterment rate policy.

All residents and property owners are welcome, with Phase 6 and Phase 7 property owners especially encouraged to attend. Town staff will explain the proposal, answer questions, and hear public feedback.

Learn more and access the link to join the meeting remotely via Microsoft Teams at https://buff.ly/ZVNIS2w

09/17/2026

Important PSA:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) contacted the Town today (September 17, 2026) to inform that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in a sample of mosquitoes collected within Provincetown.

Specifically, a sample of 8 Culex pipiens/restuans trapped in Provincetown collected on 9/11/26 tested positive for West Nile Virus.

Barnstable County Mosquito Control crews will be out treating catch basins as well as containers holding water in areas around the positive sample.

Learn more and see prevention tips at https://www.provincetown-ma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/1950