FEMA Urges Residents: Be Prepared for Earl’s Arrival

Families Should Visit Ready.gov to Learn Steps to Prepare for Hurricanes and Severe Weather
COURT HOUSE – As Hurricane Earl moves toward Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands and then up toward the East Coast of the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging all Americans in East Coast states to take steps now to prepare their families and businesses for hurricanes and severe weather. While there are currently no hurricane warnings or watches in effect for the U. S. mainland, current projections from the National Hurricane Center show the storm could affect states up and down the East Coast and storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly. With this in mind, FEMA is coordinating through its regional offices to aggressively prepare should severe weather affect the East Coast and encouraging all Americans to visit www.ready.gov for helpful tips on preparing for hurricanes, flash flooding, and other disasters.
“Hurricane Earl should serve as a reminder to all of us of the importance of being prepared for hurricanes and other emergencies,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “At FEMA, we’re taking steps to aggressively prepare should a hurricane make landfall along the East Coast, but FEMA is only one part of the team. Even if this storm doesn’t make landfall, everyone should visit Ready. gov now and learn how to make your family safer and better prepared.”
Steps individuals and families should take to prepare for an emergency include developing a family communications plan, putting together a kit with 72 hours of food and water, and staying informed of risks in their area.
It’s also important to remember that hurricanes frequently bring with them heavy rains and the threat of flash flooding, which can occur hundreds of miles inland from the coast. People along the coast should also be aware of dangerous rip tides and surf. Floods are the costliest natural disaster in the United States, and so valuables and important documents should be copied and kept in a safe place.
Hurricane Earl has been categorized by the National Hurricane Center as a Category 4 hurricane. A hurricane warning has been issued for the U. S. Virgin Islands, and a watch has been issued for Puerto Rico. FEMA is coordinating across the federal government and working
with commonwealth and territorial officials in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to support their preparedness and response efforts on the ground. Learn more about those efforts.
FEMA personnel are also monitoring the storm and reaching out to Governors and local officials up and down the East Coast to ensure they are prepared should they be affected by severe weather in the coming days. FEMA has life-saving and life-sustaining commodities and supplies strategically located across the country to support states in their response, including in the areas of possible impact. These supplies, including water, meals, tarps, blankets, generators and other essential items, can be replenished through the national logistics supply chain.
Since this weekend, FEMA has been in constant contact with the White House and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide regular updates on the storm’s developments. Today Administrator Fugate briefed DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano about FEMA’s ongoing preparations for and response to severe weather in the Atlantic Ocean, including Hurricane Earl.
The National Weather Service remains the source of official severe weather watches and warnings, including flash flooding which can take only a few minutes to develop in the case of heavy rains.
FEMA encourages all individuals in the region to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and their local news to monitor for severe weather updates, and to follow the directions provided by their local officials especially concerning any potential evacuations.
From the NJ Office of Emergency Management:
On Wed. September 1, National Preparedness Month kicks-off throughout the country. Over the next few weeks, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management will deliver several key emergency management initiatives and messages designed to help New Jersey residents empower themselves and their families in the event of a natural or manmade emergency.
As such, today we start with the simple steps that New Jerseyians can do to prepare for the unforeseen as well as reduce stress and confusion during an actual emergency. The basics of preparedness for virtually all hazards are the same: Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Stay Informed and Become Involved. Following the appropriate steps and being ready “now” means that residents will be ready for any disaster or crisis that may affect New Jersey.
“Planning and preparation are the cornerstones of safety. By taking time to create an appropriate emergency plan for yourself, your family or place of business, you are readying your environment for any potential emergency,” said State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes, Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.
The following are some quick tips for emergency preparedness:
STEP ONE: “GET A KIT” of Emergency Supplies
ITEMS FOR YOUR HOME
• Three days’ supply of canned, non-perishable, ready-to-eat FOOD
• Three days’ supply of WATER (a total of three gallons per family member)
• Battery-operated RADIO and extra batteries
FLASHLIGHT and extra batteries
• One week’s prescription MEDICATIONS
• FIRST AID KIT
• Personal TOILETRIES
• Non-electric CAN OPENER and UTENSILS
SPECIAL NEEDS items:
• INFANT care items
• Items for ELDERLY family members
• Items for relatives with DISABILITIES
• CASH or TRAVELERS CHECKS
• Store important DOCUMENTS in a waterproof, safe location
IN CASE YOU NEED TO EVACUATE
• Keep your vehicle’s gas tank level at a half-tank
• Every family member must carry CONTACT INFORMATION:
• All phone numbers at work, school, etc. for every family member
• The name and number of a relative who lives out-of-state, to call in case your family
• gets separated.
STEP TWO: “MAKE A PLAN” for Yourself, Your Family or Your Business
• Meet with the members of your household or office
• Talk about the types of disasters that are most likely to happen in your area
• Take time to explain the dangers of emergency incidents to children
• Discuss why everyone needs to prepare for a disaster
• Address any special needs concerns in the event of an emergency
• Build an emergency contact phone list
• Make provisions for pets
• Remember to establish and share emergency incident responsibilities
• Emphasize that teamwork and staying calm are key
STEP THREE: “STAY INFORMED” of Possible Threats
It is important to know about the risks that may happen in your community, and to know whether an emergency is imminent or is already taking place.
Contact your local Office of Emergency Management
• Ask which Types of Emergency are most likely in your area, and how to prepare for each.
• Learn about the warning signals that will be used in your community.
• Learn about the local radio and TV stations you should tune into for emergency alerts and official instructions.
Learn about the disaster plans for your Workplace, your children’s School or Day Care Center, and Other Places where your family spends time.
Keep track of Current Weather Forecasts and Alerts with:
• Local radio and TV stations as well as via internet publications
• NOAA Weather Radio – or listen online
STEP FOUR: “BECOME INVOLVED” through Volunteerism via CERT
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members give critical support to first responders in emergencies, provide immediate assistance to victims, organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site, and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts. New Jersey boasts the largest CERT contingent in the nation with 12,000 members and growing. Become a part of the CERT team today by calling 609-963-6900 ext. 6995.
For more information regarding emergency preparedness log on to:
http://www.ready.nj.gov