FEMA Hurricane Preparation Info Available Online 

Release Date: April 17, 2006
Release Number: 1604-320

» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina

BILOXI, Miss. -- Hurricane preparedness information is available online at the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Web site as the 2006 hurricane season bears down on Gulf Coast residents still reeling from last year’s devastation.

The new hurricane season starts in less than seven weeks, and Gulf Coast residents are encouraged to be vigilant to hurricane threats. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour kicked off an eight-week hurricane awareness campaign, “Stay Alert. Stay Alive,” on April 6. During the kick-off ceremony, FEMA Region 4 Acting Director Mary Lynne Miller reminded residents of FEMA-supplied travel trailers and mobile homes to leave those units behind during storm evacuations.

The Department of Homeland Security’s www.ready.gov Web site has a series of links that provide information for children as well as adults about what to do when a disaster approaches. The Web site encourages readers to get a kit (of emergency supplies), make a plan (for what you will do in an emergency) and be informed (of what might happen).

FEMA’s online products range from simple steps a family should take in advance of a storm to a list of specific items to include in an emergency “go-kit.” These online products are available at www.fema.gov. Among other things, the site defines hurricanes, explains their categories, lists hurricane names and outlines what to do before, during and after a hurricane.

One of FEMA’s most comprehensive publications, “Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness,” also is available online. The guide provides a step-by-step approach to disaster preparedness by walking readers through how to get informed about local emergency plans, how to identify hazards that affect their local area, and how to develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit. Other topics include evacuation, emergency public shelters, animals in disaster, and information specific to people with disabilities.

The FEMA Web site includes a “FEMA for Kids” section – www.fema.gov/kids – that speaks to children, in terms they can easily understand, about hurricanes and other disasters. Herman, P.I.C. (the Particularly Important Crab) directs children through the Web site. One section explains what hurricanes are, things to know, how to create a disaster “go-kit,” how to be pet-prepared, how to protect a home from hurricanes and the importance of weather radios, among other useful information.

FEMA also has a new citizen preparedness DVD titled, "Getting Ready for Disaster - One Family's Experience." The DVD guides viewers through important steps of disaster.

A transcript of the videos is available for those that are unable to view these files.

The following is a list of additional online FEMA topics and products, along with the file sizes, to assist residents in protecting property from high winds and flooding. These files are available at www.fema.gov.

Protect Your Property from High Winds

Protect Your Property from Flooding

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Monday, 17-Apr-2006 08:50:32