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| Everyone should take steps now to help keep themselves and their family safe during a hurricane |
Staying informed about ever-changing conditions and instructions is critically important in any emergency.
The 2010 hurricane season begins on June 1, and experts predict it will be more active than usual. With hurricane season upon us, officials from the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management urge residents to ensure that their families, homes and businesses are prepared for the risks associated with hurricanes and tropical storms.
"Now is the time for all New Jersey residents to get ready for threatening weather," said FEMA's William L. Vogel, the federal coordinating officer for the current disaster recovery efforts in New Jersey. "It's pretty simple stuff – Prepare an emergency kit, develop a family emergency plan and stay informed. These are simple things that could help save lives and property."
Learning how to prepare for emergencies is easy, with several websites providing step-by-step instructions and recommendations:
Detailed information on how to prepare for emergencies can be found at the following link, while hurricane-specific preparedness information can be found at the following link. Valuable information is also available at FEMA's 2010 Hurricane Season website and FEMA's Comprehensive Hurricane Website.
"Everyone should take steps now to help keep themselves and their family safe during a severe weather event or other emergency," said Vogel. "Taking a few minutes to do things like preparing a coordination and communication plan with your family and knowing your evacuation route can make all the difference when time and taking the right actions are essential." Staying informed of ever-changing conditions and instructions is critically important in any emergency.
Correct and timely information about hurricanes can prevent damage to life and property |
Here are a few ways to stay informed before, during and after an event:
- Keep a solar, battery or hand-powered radio handy and tuned to your local radio station; always follow the direction of local officials.
- Check the FEMA Region II Twitter account.
- Check the FEMA Facebook page.
- Utilize the FEMA Mobile site
State of New Jersey Office of Emergency Management information resources include:
- www.ready.nj.gov/plan/hurricane-before.html (or call 211)
- www.state.nj.us/njoem/about/association.html
- Evacuation routes
- Emergency text messages and email alerts.
- Follow the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management on Twitter @ njoem2009 and Facebook @ Nj Oem.
