Release Date: September 27, 2007
Release Number: 1604-598
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BILOXI, Miss. -- With more than two months left before the end of the 2007 hurricane season, Mississippians should not let their guard down. Although a storm or hurricane may not come here, now is the time to finalize family evacuation plans and make emergency preparations.
"We can learn a lesson from Hurricane Humberto's quick development over Texas and Louisiana; that is, you never know what can happen so you have to be ready for almost anything this time of year," said Sid Melton, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Mississippi Transitional Recovery Office. "Our recent experience with Tropical Depression 10 taught all of us a valuable lesson as well. You may not be able to predict the weather but you can prepare for it."
Families in FEMA mobile homes or travel trailers should evacuate if local officials give an order. The temporary housing units are not considered safe shelter during severe weather. Occupants should turn off appliances, lock the unit and leave it in place.
Officials from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), urge all Mississippians to develop emergency plans and supply kits in order to survive for at least three days following a major disaster.
Families should also store one gallon of fresh water per person per day in clean plastic containers for drinking and sanitation. Store food that won't spoil and does not have to be heated or cooked such as protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, canned foods and crackers. Also, pack a manual can opener, cups and eating utensils.
Other basic supplies should include a flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, utility knife, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, soap, garbage bags, duct tape, extra cash and identification items.
Residents also should familiarize themselves with evacuation routes, which can be viewed at the Mississippi Department of Transportation's Web site, www.GoMDOT.com.
"Even if we continue to have a season that doesn't include a major hurricane making landfall, whatever effort we put into storm preparation now will give us a head start toward preparing ourselves for tornadoes, flooding or other events. The main idea is to get prepared and stay prepared," said MEMA Director Mike Womack.
September is National Preparedness Month and federal officials want everyone to take time to get ready. FEMA's Preparing Makes Sense, Get Ready Now publication - a free, comprehensive disaster preparedness guide - is available by calling, toll-free, 1-800-BE-READY, or by logging onto the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Web site, www.ready.gov.
For more information about disaster planning, visit www.ready.gov or FEMA's Web site, www.fema.gov or MEMA's Web site, www.msema.org. Emergency traffic routes or evacuation plans for Mississippi may be found at: www.GoMDOT.com.
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: Thursday, 27-Sep-2007 11:41:30