NEWS: Be Prepared for Hurricane Season

5/26/2009

Ten years after Hurricane Floyd hit Wake County, citizens are encouraged to prepare for hurricane season, which officially begins Monday, June 1, 2009. County officials urge people to "make a plan, get a kit and stay informed" with ReadyWake!, a guide to help citizens survive and recover from emergencies, such as hurricanes.

The Web site and printable brochure is available in English and Spanish.

ReadyWake! addresses a wide range of emergencies and provides instructions and resources such as:

• Creating an emergency kit for the home
• Preparing an emergency evacuation plan for your family
• Listing contact information for emergency medical care services, as well as local, state and federal agencies

ReadyWake! provides a "Hurricane Checklist" of items that may prove to be essential following a storm. Just a few of the many items listed are food, kitchen supplies, items for infants and prescription medicines.

Hurricane Floyd was one of the most devastating storms to impact Wake County. The rains from Floyd caused widespread flooding that lasted for several weeks in the piedmont and coastal regions, and was responsible for nearly 60 fatalities and $4.5 million in damages.

ReadyWake! was produced in partnership with communications stakeholders across Wake County, including representatives from municipalities, healthcare organizations and emergency responders. The ReadyWake! Web site won an award of excellence from the North Carolina Association of Government Information Officers in 2007.

To request copies of Ready Wake!, contact the County’s Emergency Management Office at 856-6480.

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