Hurricane Awareness Week - May 19-25, 2002
Release Date: May 15, 2002
Release Number: R1-02-15
Boston, MA -- Hurricane hazards come in many forms: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. This means it is important for your family and community to have a plan that includes all of these hazards. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.
On May 13, 2002, President George W. Bush signed a proclamation designating May 19-25, 2002, Hurricane Awareness Week. " June 1st marks the beginning of the 2002 hurricane season and it is important that New Englanders become familiar with preventive measures that can save lives," stated Daniel A. Craig, Regional Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Boston office.
Hurricanes can devastate our New England communities, endangering thousands of human lives and causing millions of dollars in property damage. Stemming from the ocean, the atmosphere, and heat from the sea, hurricanes bring with them the potential for high winds, tornadoes, torrential rains, flooding, and ocean water storm surges. Their fierce and destructive power requires that we all take steps to reduce our vulnerability to this natural hazard.
According to FEMA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) , an average of ten tropical storms develop annually over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Every year, an average of six of these storms grow strong enough to become hurricanes. Approximately five hurricanes strike the United States coastline every 3 years. Out of these, two will have winds above 111 miles per hour, qualifying them as major hurricanes. The resulting high winds and high waves can seriously damage homes, businesses, public buildings, and critical infrastructure, and ultimately have the potential to injure people and claim lives.
Tips and information on protecting lives and property from disasters can be found on FEMA's web site at: http://www.fema.gov/. Contact your local emergency management agency for local information. In addition, Hurricane Awareness Week features a web site that highlights five severe weather safety topics - one for each day of the week, and can be found at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/.
For further information on hurricane preparedness in New England.
contact Pam Pederson, at (617) 223-9572
Last Modified: Thursday, 21-Aug-2003 14:23:37