With Hurricane Season Less Than A Week Away, The Time To Prepare Is Now
Release Date: May 27, 2008
Release Number: 1604-647
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
BILOXI, Miss. -- With the 2008 hurricane season just a week away, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency remind Mississippi residents of the importance of disaster preparedness.
"Hurricane Katrina taught us that it only takes one storm to dramatically change our lives," said MEMA Director Mike Womack. "That is why we encourage every Mississippi resident to take preparation seriously."
And there is no better time than now to get ready.
"As we continue the recovery from Hurricane Katrina, we need to be mindful of the lessons we've learned. Now is the time for individuals to take responsibility for being prepared for the next hurricane season," said Sid Melton, director for FEMA's Mississippi Transitional Recovery Office.
FEMA and MEMA recommend taking the following steps to prepare for hurricane season:
Develop a family disaster plan and know how to stay safe in a hurricane.
- Discuss what your family should do prior to a hurricane coming ashore and where you might go in an evacuation - to a shelter, hotel or to stay with family or friends.
- Don't forget about pets. Some shelters will not permit them, so plan in advance what to do with them.
- Know and review your evacuation routes. Keep a detailed map of Mississippi as well as a map of evacuation routes in your car.
- Develop a family communication plan. Identify a friend or relative in another state or city to serve as a point of contact in case family members are separated.
- Make the necessary preparations for family members with special needs or physical handicaps.
Put together a disaster kit and store in a portable container in case of evacuation. The kit should include:
- At least a three-day supply of food and bottled water for each family member;
- A manual can opener;
- Battery-powered radio and flashlights with extra batteries;
- First aid kit including family members' medications;
- Hygiene and personal care items;
- Emergency contact list and phone numbers;
- Pet supplies;
- Copies of important papers including insurance policies and bank account information;
- Emergency cash or credit card in the case of an evacuation with little notice.
Protect your home and property:
- 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. Review your insurance coverage with your insurance agent, and update your coverage amounts. Although flood insurance may be purchased throughout the year, remember there is a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins.
- Hurricane straps and shutters are generally cost-effective measures. Consult a building contractor, home improvement store or the FEMA Web site (www.fema.gov) for specifics.
- Elevate utilities or appliances.
- Reinforce the roof, windows and garage against strong winds. Keeping them in place could lessen overall damage during a hurricane.
Visit www.ready.gov, www.fema.gov, or www.msema.org for more information about disaster preparedness.
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: Tuesday, 27-May-2008 14:17:09