FEMA Urges New Yorkers to ‘Pledge to Prepare’ 

Release Date: April 23, 2012
Release Number: 4031-099

» More Information on New York Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee
» More Information on New York Hurricane Irene

ALBANY, N.Y. — Last year, more than 1,000 deaths and more than 8,000 injuries were caused by tornadoes, floods, wildfires and other types of severe weather.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is proud to be promoting National Severe Weather Preparedness Week from Sunday, April 22 to Saturday, April 28.

Sponsored by FEMA and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness of the severe weather that affects everyone as well as to encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to know their risk, take action, and be an example.

“As Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee showed us last year, severe weather is a real concern for every New Yorker. Everyone must know the risks they face and prepare to meet them before disaster strikes,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Philip E. Parr.

FEMA is asking everyone to “pledge to prepare” and take the following steps:

Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and sign up for localized alerts from emergency management officials. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

Take Action: “Be a Force of Nature” by taking the pledge to prepare at Ready.gov/severe-weather. When you pledge to prepare, you will take the first step to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes developing a family communication and disaster preparedness plan, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and visiting www.Ready.gov/severe-weather for more on family preparedness for severe weather.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Monday, 23-Apr-2012 15:06:14