Free Tabletop Exercises

FEMA Private Sector Resilience Tip 3/25/13: Download free tabletop exercises to help your facilities and community plan for disaster impacts like a critical power outage: http://go.usa.gov/2fYd.

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Take Time To Prepare With Your Kids

While school is out for spring break this week, don't take a vacation from teaching your kids about emergency preparedness. All children should know their family name, address, and phone number, and know where to meet in case of an emergency. Check out OEM's "Get Prepared: Kids" page for fun ways to teach kids about preparing for emergencies.
Learn more about preparing kids for emergencies
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Learn How to Mitigate Flood Hazards

FEMA Private Sector Resilience Tip 3/18/13: Learn how to mitigate flood hazards to your facilities with online training, tools and tips: http://go.usa.gov/2RdJ

Visit us on the web at www.fema.gov/private-sector-1, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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March 18 - 22 is National Flood Safety Awareness Week

During National Flood Safety Awareness Week, OEM encourages you to take a few minutes each day to educate yourself on what to do before a flood strikes. Pay attention to flood watches and warnings, clear out catch basins in your neighborhood, have an emergency supply kit and Go Bag prepared and readily accessible, and have a plan of action should you need to evacuate your home or business.
Learn more about National Flood Safety Awareness Week
Download Ready New York: Flooding
Learn more about flooding in NYC
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NATIONAL FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK

FEMA AND NOAA PROMOTE NATIONAL FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK

 March 15, 2013

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are partnering to improve public awareness for National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 18-22, 2013.  The agencies’ goal is to improve understanding about flood risk among individuals, families, businesses and communities. Knowledge and the right precautions can protect families, homes and finances.

"I've seen the devastation that can occur from floods. They can happen at any time, anywhere across the United States, which means we all need to be prepared now," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "In addition to obtaining a flood insurance policy for your home or business, there are simple steps folks can do now to be prepared for flooding - develop a family emergency plan and have an emergency supply kit ready to go."

Floods are the most common hazard in the United States.  However, not all floods are alike. Floods typically occur when too much rain falls or snow melts too quickly. Chunks of ice from a thawing river can block its normal flow and force water out of its banks. While some floods develop slowly, flash floods develop suddenly.  Hurricanes can bring flooding to areas far inland from where they first hit the coast, as we witnessed two years ago from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, and last year from Hurricanes Isaac and Sandy.  
There are simple steps citizens can take today to reduce their risk to all types of floods.  Flood Safety Awareness Week is an excellent time for people and communities to learn about their flood risk and implement precautions to mitigate the threat to life and property.

“Flooding is dangerous and costly, killing nearly 100 people and causing an average of eight billion dollars in property damage in the United States each year,” said Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, director, NOAA’s National Weather Service, which produces an array of flood outlooks and forecasts, including watches and life-saving warnings. “A weather-ready nation is a prepared nation; one that will reduce flood losses by planning ahead, staying abreast of weather forecasts, and heeding the warnings.”

Dr. Uccellini emphasized that a primary flood killer is flooded roadways. People should never attempt to drive through them, but should “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” NOAA’s flood safety slogan.
NOAA will issue the 2013 U.S. Spring Outlook and flood assessment on March 21.

FEMA and NOAA will provide the public with key information related to flood hazards, and ways to protect yourself and your property each day of National Flood Safety Awareness week.  

Follow FEMA on social media (Facebook and Twitter) throughout the week to stay informed and to share the information with your social networks. For more information on flood safety tips and information, visit www.ready.gov.  For information on how to obtain a flood insurance policy, visit http://go.usa.gov/2RdJ. 
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.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources.  Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.

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Ready Rating Assessment

FEMA Private Sector Resilience Tip of the Week 3/11/13: Assess your organization’s emergency preparedness with the Ready Rating system.
 http://www.readyrating.org/.

Visit us on the web at www.fema.gov/private-sector-1, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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Sign Up to Volunteer During Red Cross Month

Did you know March is American Red Cross Month? This week, consider signing up with the American Red Cross in Greater New York or other disaster volunteer organization. Getting involved before an emergency will increase your ability to help when help is needed.

Learn more about volunteering in a disaster
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Preparedness Matters: Preparing for Severe Weather

National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

This week is National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. All week long, we’re calling for people across the country to pledge to prepare and to be a force of nature in your community by telling your family, friends, and neighbors how you’ve prepared your home or business for severe weather. Pledging is the first step toward ensuring you and those you care about are prepared for severe weather.
Click the link below to see how one company is taking steps to prepare:
Preparedness Matters: Preparing our Stores and Clubs for Severe Weather

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Tsunami Plans

FEMA Private Sector Resilience Tip 3/4/13:
Update your school tsunami plan with new emergency contacts,  shelter in place locations, and reopening plans. http://go.usa.gov/2gnP. 

Visit FEMA on the web at www.fema.gov/private-sector-1, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

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Take Time to Check Your Emergency Supply Kit

When you change your clocks for daylight savings time this Sunday, use the opportunity to update your emergency supply kit. Restock any items you may have used, check expiration dates on your canned goods, and check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Remember: You should have at least three days' worth of supplies, and checking your kit often is the best way to be ready in the event of an emergency.

Learn more about emergency supply kits
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online