5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 15

1)  Tide Watch —  Beach walkers and dog walkers take notice. Today's high tide is 7:43 a.m. (9.18 ft.) and low tide is 2:08 p.m. (.31 feet)

2) Flood Facts — Flooding is the nation's most common and expensive natural disaster, according to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. He recommends people learn about their risk of flooding, have an emergency preparedness kit, store important documents in a safe place and consider flood insurance.  Most homeowner's insurance policies don't cover flooding, and most policies take 30 days to go into effect.

3) Town Hall Watch —  The Board of Selectmen meet at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. At 6:15 p.m., also at Town Hall, the Board of Health will hold its regular meeting.  

4) Local History — 100 years ago on this day, the monthly drama put on by the Universalist Church was the Sacred Amulet. It was written by a Salem man and is about an amulet that transports the wearer back to ancient Egypt. (Information from the Lynn Daily Evening Item.)

5) Today in Music History —   In 1956,  Colonel Tom Parker became Elvis Presley's manager. (Information from www.on-this-day.com)