Project Impact Offers Tips to Keep Homes Safe
Release Date: February 27, 2001
Release Number: R7-01-09
» 2001 Region VII News Releases
Kansas City, MO -- As Missouri holds its annual Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 12-16, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities initiative is encouraging residents to take preventive measures now to reduce the risk of severe weather damage.
"Severe weather has the potential to inflict costly damages to our homes and our businesses," said Art Freeman, Acting Regional Director for FEMA Region VII. "But there are actions you can take to lessen the damage when disaster strikes."
Severe storms that can produce heavy snows, flooding, high winds and even tornadoes are the most common weather threats in late winter and early spring. To protect yourself and your home from the dangers associated with the various types of severe weather, Project Impact recommends doing the following before severe storms strike:
Professional contractors should be retained for major projects and those requiring electrical or plumbing expertise. Preventive actions can range in cost from a few dollars to a few thousand, but every dollar spent can make a difference in protecting a home from disaster.
In 2000, 45 national major disasters were declared, inflicting more than $3.3 billion in damage to homes and businesses across the country. According to the National Weather Service, severe weather caused $125.3 million dollars in property damage in Missouri alone.
"In communities across the country, Project Impact is helping businesses and residents shift their focus from simply responding to disasters to taking actions in advance to stop devastating property damage and loss of life," said Jerry Uhlmann, director of the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). "It is time to take preventive action."
The eight communities in Missouri currently participating in the Project Impact initiative have already taken actions to protect residents from the devastating effects of disasters, including:
Nearly 250 communities and 2,500 business partners have embraced Project Impact since its inception in 1997. Instead of waiting for disasters to occur, Project Impact communities initiate mentoring relationships, private and public partnerships, public outreach and disaster mitigation projects to reduce damage from potentially devastating disasters. Previous community projects have included creating disaster resistance strategies, revising local building codes and passing bond issues for mitigation measures that will affect the entire community.
For more information about Project Impact or preventing damage, call (202) 646-4117.
Last Modified: Friday, 24-Oct-2003 09:57:48