Mitigation Outreach And Education At Lowe's Continues
Release Date: October 17, 2008
Release Number: 1785-067
» More Information on Florida Tropical Storm Fay
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Floridians have learned and embraced the idea that rebuilding smarter and stronger is key in the line of defense against disasters such as Tropical Storm Fay.
Having gone through hundreds of severe weather occurrences in past years, many Florida residents are eager to take advantage of prevention, preparation and mitigation tips and methods that can help them strengthen their homes and minimize future damage.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Floridas State Emergency Response Team (SERT) will be at Lowe's stores in specific locations throughout the Fay-affected areas to educate the public on prevention, preparedness and rebuilding after a disaster.
Persons interested in learning how they can strengthen the homes they are building, rebuilding or remodeling have a chance to learn details from experts in the field.
Mitigation is key to decreasing the time it takes to rebuild and recover from a disaster. Mitigation also allows individuals and communities to minimize the threat and help prevent more serious future damage. It also helps those affected to rebuild more quickly. These FEMA/SERT advisors are specialists and will explain the benefits of home strengthening through proper anchorage and strapping. They can explain how to build a safe room in your home and explain what qualifies as a safe room.
Specialists will also share flyers on the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) program. The SBA can lend additional funds from its mitigation program to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage in the future.
Below is the mitigation Community Education and Outreach schedule at Lowe's Home Improvement stores. A mitigation specialist will be on site to help the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
| DATE | LOCATION | COUNTY |
|---|---|---|
|
Through Oct. 19 |
Melbourne Lowe's |
Seminole County |
|
Through Oct. 19 |
Orange City Lowe's |
Volusia County |
|
Through Oct. 19 |
Sanford Lowe's |
Seminole County |
|
Oct. 20 to Nov. 2 |
Deland Lowe's |
Volusia County |
|
Oct. 20 to Nov. 2 |
Fern Park Lowe's |
Seminole County |
|
Oct. 20 to Nov. 2 |
Palm Bay Lowe's |
Brevard County |
FEMA, SERT and all other first responders and emergency management personnel want Floridians to know that preparedness before the storm is extremely vital to saving lives and personal property. FEMA's mitigation division has a Community Education and Outreach branch that educates the public on how to "Get a Plan" or rebuild after disasters.
- Getting informed about hazards and emergencies that may affect you and your family;
- Developing an emergency plan;
- Collecting and assembling disaster supplies kit;
- Learning where to seek shelter from all types of hazards;
- Identifying the community warning systems and evacuation routes;
- Practicing and maintaining your plan;
- Cleaning up flood-damaged homes affected by mold and mildew;
- Preparing for disasters for people with disabilities and other special needs;
- Helping children cope with disasters; and
- Saving lives when tornadoes strike.
Emergency alert weather radios can be lifesavers when severe weather threatens your area. The specialists will show you how weather radios allow you to program up to seven weather-specific locations without frequency interference.
A mitigation community advisor is on hand to share fact sheets, brochures, pamphlets, and demonstrate how to program a weather radio that is approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- Residents with disaster-related damage who want to register with FEMA must do so by NOV 10, by calling toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). The hard of hearing, deaf or speech impaired may call the TTY number at 800-462-7585 to apply. Multilingual operators are available to speak to applicants. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to midnight daily until further notice. Applicants may also register online at www.fema.gov.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Monday, 20-Oct-2008 08:39:41