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Hurricane Season Starts June 1: Is Your Community Ready?

Published Date: 05.24.2011

Above normal hurricane season predicted

It’s Hurricane Preparedness Week, and now is a great time to make sure your department and community are ready in case disaster strikes this hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an above normal Atlantic hurricane season, with between six to 10 hurricanes. Three to six of these may be major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.

“The United States was fortunate last year. Winds steered most of the season’s tropical storms and all hurricanes away from our coastlines,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. “However we can’t count on luck to get us through this season. We need to be prepared, especially with this above-normal outlook.”

The hurricane outlook does not predict how many storms will make landfall or where they may hit. It is critical that communities located in hurricane-prone areas are ready in advance. Fire and emergency service departments can play a key role in making sure their communities are prepared and that community members know what to do in the event a hurricane strikes.

“The tornadoes that devastated the South and the large amount of flooding we’ve seen this spring should serve as a reminder that disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. As we move into this hurricane season it’s important to remember that FEMA is just part of an emergency management team that includes the entire federal family, state, local and tribal governments, the private sector, and most importantly the public,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Now is the time, if you haven’t already, to get your plan together for what you and your family would do if disaster strikes. Visit ready.gov to learn more. And if you’re a small business owner, visit www.ready.gov/business to ensure that your business is prepared for a disaster.”

NOAA has released a new set of videos and public service announcements in English and Spanish that can be used to educate communities about hurricane preparedness. Visit the national Volunteer Fire Council’s Hurricane Preparedness Resource Center to find additional tools, resources, and information to help your department and community get ready for hurricane season.

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