ATLANTA—Ten years ago “Ivan the Terrible,” as the deadly hurricane was dubbed, ripped across the Gulf Coast as the strongest storm of the 2004 season. Ten years later, Hurricane Ivan serves as a reminder that the time to prepare for the next hurricane is now.

Ivan is remembered for its storm surge, extensive rains, and 117 tornadoes that caused coastal and inland flooding and tornado damage across much of the southeastern United States. Strong winds spread well inland—damaging homes, and downing trees and power lines. Ten states from Louisiana to New York received federal disaster declarations, including five in the southeast.

Ivan made its first U.S. landfall on September 16, as a strong Category 3 hurricane, just west of Gulf Shores, Alabama, with its strongest winds occurring near the Alabama-Florida panhandle border. Wind and high surf caused extensive damage to Innerarity Point and Orange Beach, Alabama. In Florida, storm surge took out portions of the Interstate 10 bridge system in Pensacola Bay and Perdido Key was significantly damaged. Thousands of homes in Baldwin County (Alabama) and Escambia, and Santa Rosa Counties in Florida were damaged or destroyed. In Escambia County alone debris piles were more than three-quarters of a mile long and 70 feet high. In all, Ivan was the most destructive hurricane to affect this area in more than 100 years.

“Hurricane Ivan serves as a reminder, especially during National Preparedness Month, that we all need to be ready for disasters and emergencies,” said FEMA Region IV Acting Regional Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “September is also the height of hurricane season, so preparing now is even more critical for families and businesses in the Southeast.”

Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare

September marks National Preparedness Month, and this week’s anniversary of Hurricane Ivan is an opportune time to plan for specific needs before a disaster. Whether you are planning for your family, your business or a faith-based or voluntary organization, use this week to understand your preparedness needs. Develop plans ahead of the next disaster. Information to help you make an emergency plan is at www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov. National Preparedness Month culminates on September 30 with America’s PrepareAthon! Check out the information and plan to participate.

Following Hurricane Ivan, FEMA provided:

• In Alabama—More than $190 million in grants to more than 89,200 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $222 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;

• In Florida: More than $164 million in grants to more than 79,390 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $695 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;

• In Georgia: More than $4 million in grants to more than 1,300 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $11 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;

• In Mississippi: More than $8.5 million in grants to more than 4,530 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $14 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;

• In North Carolina: More than $13 million in grants to more than 4,000 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $32 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities.

The time to prepare for the next hurricane is now. September is National Preparedness Month, and there is no better time to consider how prepared you and your family are for the next disaster. Visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov for a wealth of emergency preparedness resources, including how to create a family emergency plan, build an emergency kit and take part in a community preparedness event. Be Smart. Take Part. Prepare.

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.

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