Be Prepared: Hurricane Season Starts June 1
Release Date: May 29, 2008
Release Number: R3-08-061
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- With Hurricane season in the United States beginning June 1, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ready Virginia campaign remind Virginians to prepare for hurricane season by taking three easy steps.
"Fortunately the mid-Atlantic region has not suffered many hurricanes in recent years," said Jonathan Sarubbi, FEMA Region III Administrator. "But experts are again projecting an above-average hurricane season, so it is vital for citizens and communities to be prepared. While we can't prevent hurricanes, being prepared can minimize their impact."
"There are three easy steps all Virginians should take to be ready for hurricane season," said Michael Cline, state coordinate for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. "Make a plan, get a kit and stay informed."
Develop a family disaster plan and know how to stay safe during a hurricane:
- Discuss what your family would do prior to a hurricane making landfall including where you might go in an evacuation.
- When developing your plans, don't forget about your family's specific needs, including senior and disabled family members, as well as pets.
- Establish a family communications plan with a point of contact in another state in case family members are separated
Put together a disaster kit in a portable kit. In case of an evacuation, your kit should hold essentials including:
- At least a three-day supply of food and bottled water.
- A manual can opener
- A battery powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries
- A first aid kit with any family and pet medications
- Hygiene and personal care items
- An emergency contact list with phone numbers
- Copies of important documents including insurance policies and bank information.
- Emergency cash or credit cards in the case of an evacuation with little notice.
Pay attention to weather forecasts and information from your local emergency officials:
- Listen for weather watches and warnings.
- Learn about evacuation routes.
- Listen for any evacuation orders.
In addition, there are others steps you can take to ensure you are prepared for hurricane season.
- Purchase flood insurance for both your home and its contents as well as property insurance against strong winds. Renters can also purchase flood insurance for their apartment's contents. Although flood insurance may be purchased throughout the year, remember there is a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect.
- Hurricane shutters are generally cost-effective measures. Consult a building contractor, home improvement store or the FEMA Web site (fema.gov) for detailed information.
- Reinforce the roof, windows and garage against strong winds. Keeping them in place could lessen overall damage from a storm.
- Elevate utilities and appliances to reduce the likelihood of damage during flooding.
Preventing hurricanes may not be possible, but preparing now for such a storm can help protect your family, your home and your property. For more details about how to prepare, visit www.ready.gov or for Virginia specific information visit www.ReadyVirginia.gov and www.ListoVirginia.gov (Spanish).
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, 10-Nov-2008 15:48:50