Gov. Easley Proclaims September as Emergency Preparedness Month

Press Release

GOV. EASLEY PROCLAIMS SEPTEMBER AS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Tropical Storm Hanna Confirms Preparedness Works

Gov. Mike Easley proclaimed September as Emergency Preparedness Month before Tropical Storm Hanna made landfall in North Carolina on September 6, and he pointed to the readiness of state and local first responders and citizens as an example of why preparing ahead of time is important. Despite 70 mile per hour winds and eight inches of rain in some places, there were no serious injuries or deaths related to the storm.

"Emergencies disrupt the systems we depend on, electricity, clean water, grocery stores, gas stations, transportation, commerce and education," said Easley. "So if people can be prepared for those disruptions, then emergency responders can focus on helping those who are in life-threatening situations. Government agencies and citizens were ready for Hanna and that meant we were able to get things back to normal very quickly."

The governor's proclamation of Emergency Preparedness Month coincides with National Preparedness Month sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and held each September to encourage citizens, businesses and schools to take steps to prepare themselves for natural disasters and other emergencies.

Easley urged every citizen to have an emergency plan and emergency kit, stressing that those who have plans and supplies will fare better during any emergency than those who do not. He stressed the need to be ready year round since hurricane season is followed by the winter weather and tornado seasons. Other emergencies, such as power outages or house fires, could occur at any time.

In the last five years North Carolina has experienced 218 tornadoes, more than 4,500 severe thunderstorms, 15 tropical storms or hurricanes plus blizzards, ice storms and heat waves. Already this year, North Carolina has had an unusually high number of forest fires and which have been made worse by the drought conditions in much of the state. During these weather events, it is imperative that citizens are prepared to evacuate or survive in their homes without power and other utilities.

Information about planning for emergencies in North Carolina is available in English at www.readync.org and in Spanish at www.listonc.org. Information for the deaf and hard of hearing also is available on www.readync.org. The website for the national preparedness campaign is www.ready.gov.

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