Hurricanes

Take Time To Focus On Personal Emergency Preparedness

June 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Hurricane Season 2009 began yesterday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to work with our state, local, and federal partners to increase preparedness and coordinate response and recovery in the case of a hurricane or disaster. FEMA also urges Americans to use the annual start of hurricane season as a reminder to assess your personal readiness to respond to emergencies.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today urged Floridians to finalize their family disaster preparedness plans and ensure that family members, homes and businesses are ready for the possibility of a hurricane or other disaster. During a visit to a Home Depot in Tallahassee on the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season, Governor Crist encouraged all Floridians to have a disaster plan and supply kit that includes at least a three-day supply of drinking water and non-perishable food for the entire family – including pets.

Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp also promoted the importance of preparedness during a visit to the Collier County Emergency Services Center.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- “Today we begin the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, and I encourage all Floridians to have a plan and be prepared. Florida is a great place to live, work and play, but our paradise comes with the responsibility to make sure our families, friends and communities will be safe.

“As we have experienced during the recent flooding and last year during Tropical Storm Fay, a storm doesn’t have to be a hurricane to be destructive or deadly.

“We pray that the season remains quiet, but there is a very real possibility of a storm or other natural disaster. The National Hurricane Center is ready, and so are Florida’s emergency management teams. Every Floridian must also be ready.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- FEMA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. -- THE PRESIDENT: Well, for all of you who just joined us, I've just received a briefing here at FEMA at the National Response Coordination Center for our preparations for this year's hurricane season, which begins on Monday. And I want to thank Secretary Napolitano, as well as John Brennan, my Homeland Security Advisor. And we've welcomed Craig Fugate, who has hit the ground running and is already doing an outstanding job not just leading this briefing but leading this excellent agency.

And I want to thank all the people here at FEMA who do such an excellent job for their diligence and their commitment for this task.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate briefed President Obama today on DHS preparedness efforts and the seasonal forecast for the 2009 hurricane season, which begins Monday.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- President Barack Obama and Department of Homeland Security Secretary (DHS) Janet Napolitano today attended briefings at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on the nation's preparedness for the 2009 Hurricane Season beginning June 1.

The meeting began with a briefing by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate about the 2009 Hurricane predictions; federal disaster assistance programs; temporary housing; commodity distribution plans; and state and local emergency planning and coordination. The discussion also included new plans and technologies FEMA has for the upcoming hurricane season.    » read more »

Emphasizes safety and vigilance during hurricane season that begins June 1, 2009

May 28, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist encouraged all Floridians to make the final preparations necessary to keep their families, homes, businesses and communities safe during the 2009 Hurricane Season in a video message released today. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp is also promoting the importance of hurricane preparedness, emphasizing safety disaster plans at the 2009 National Hurricane Survival Initiative launch in Miami.    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With the beginning of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season upon us, hurricane prone states across the country are doing their part to help prepare their citizens and communities. From sales tax holidays on hurricane and emergency preparedness equipment in Virginia and Louisiana, to a major hurricane exercise in Florida, states are taking actions to ensure that citizens and the emergency response community are prepared for the 2009 hurricane season.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- TEXAS CITY, Texas -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has earmarked nearly $5 million to Orange County for emergency protective measures and operations to clean up debris in the Hurricane Ike disaster.

"Because of public health and safety concerns, FEMA has placed a high priority on funding debris-removal operations in the Hurricane Ike disaster," said Federal Coordinating Officer Brad Harris. "Federal assistance will contribute significantly to Orange County’s clean-up efforts."    » read more »

RALEIGH (May 26, 2009) -- Although hurricane season doesn't officially begin until June 1, activity in the Tropics this week foretells the possibility of an active year. Progress Energy Carolinas is prepared for whatever Mother Nature brings. The company said last week it has a detailed plan in place to ensure it can respond quickly, safely and decisively to storm damage and power outages.

The company's comprehensive storm plan provides the ability to mobilize thousands of employees and outside resources as needed. And a continuous focus on improvement has reduced restoration time and costs over the last decade.    » read more »

Companies prepared to restore power if major storm hits Louisiana

May 26, 2009 -- Baton Rouge, La. – With the official start of hurricane season just one weeks away, Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C. last week said they are ready to quickly and safely restore power should a destructive storm hit Louisiana.    » read more »

Encourages Virginians to prepare for emergencies, take advantage of Sales Tax Holiday May 25-31

May 22, 2009 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine has recognized May 24-30 as National Hurricane Preparedness Week and today reminded Virginians that the Commonwealth will mark its second annual Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday from Monday, May 25, through Sunday, May 31.

"Hurricane season will soon be here and now is a good time to start thinking about what you will need if one of these devastating storms affects Virginia," Governor Kaine said. "These tax breaks should help everyone buy the items they need to see them through the difficult days that follow the storms."    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- Jackson, Mississippi - With another hurricane season fast approaching, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Mississippi Emergency Management Director Mike Womack want to remind Mississippians to have emergency evacuation and communication plans and disaster supply kits ready.

Governor Barbour signed a proclamation declaring May 25 to May 29 as Mississippi’s Hurricane Preparedness Week. The awareness week is held in conjunction with the National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

“We have come a long way since Hurricane Katrina, but Mississippians need to remember that while catastrophic hurricanes don’t happen every year, we still have to be prepared for the worst and pray for the best,” Governor Barbour said.    » read more »

May 21, 2009 -- NOAA forecasters say a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely this year. However, as with any season, the need to prepare for the possibility of a storm striking near you is essential.

“Today, more than 35 million Americans live in regions most threatened by Atlantic hurricanes,” Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “Timely and accurate warnings of severe weather help save lives and property. Public awareness and public preparedness are the best defenses against a hurricane.”    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Secretary Napolitano: Good afternoon. The President asked [Federal Emergency Management Agency] Administrator [Craig] Fugate and I to get together with hurricane state governors to discuss preparedness in the upcoming hurricane season. The President wants all of us to be engaged, working together as hurricane season gets underway.

So we just had a great teleconference with governors of the hurricane states, with FEMA regional administrators, and representatives of our many federal partners. As you know, we always book hurricane season as beginning June 1. Preparations actually are ongoing all year long. It's just by this time of the year, those preparations increase.    » read more »