PROTECTINGAMERICA.ORG E-NEWS Hurricane Season Begins There are few areas of the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico that will not be in the bull's eye at some point this season. - Ken Reeves, AccuWeather's Director of Forecast Operations |
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The 2006 hurricane season begins on the heels of one of the worst hurricane seasons in United States history. 2005 produced 27 named storms and 15 hurricanes, billions of dollars in damages, and one of the deadliest and costliest storms ever, hurricane Katrina. Experts predict another very active season for 2006 and are saying that areas up-and-down the Atlantic coast had better be prepared for the 'big one.' East Coast from Carolinas Northward a Major Threat Area The East Coast is being designated a prime target for hurricane impact this season. Areas along the Atlantic seaboard left virtually untouched for decades are now being told to prepare for the worst. Due to the dearth of hurricane experience, an even modest hurricane to hit New York, New Jersey, or New England could cause catastrophic damages. In 1938, the 'Long Island Express' swept through Long Island and New England, causing $300 million in damages and causing 700 casualties. Meteorologists today are forecasting the worst.  | | Accuweather.com is forecasting that six tropical cyclones will make landfall in the U.S. Five of these landfalling storms are likely to be hurricanes, with three being major hurricanes of Category 3 or greater. Additionally, the East Coast is viewed as a 'very high' hurricane risk area this season. Read more |
- Accuweather.com says the East Coast, especially the Northeast, is at very high risk for the 2006 Hurricane Season. Read more
- According to Associated Press, most New Yorkers mistakenly believe a hurricane won’t happen in the Big Apple. The story goes on to say the Northeast is ripe for a big hurricane- whether citizens are ready or not. Read more
- National Geographic News reports that a hurricane could devastate New York and the United States economy. Read more
- The Bergen Record reports that New Jersey is at high risk for hurricanes this year. Read more
- New Jersey’s hurricane risk is compounded by the exponential coastal development it has witnessed in the period of relative calm. Read more
- Forecasters say Delaware is ripe for a hurricane. Its dramatic growth poses major problems for when the 'big one' hits. Read more
Read more about New York and its vulnerability to hurricanes Hurricanes Are Coming- Are You Prepared? In the wake of one of our nation’s most turbulent hurricane seasons, ProtectingAmerica.org co-chairs James Lee Witt and Admiral James M. Loy are offering preparedness tips to remind Americans that minimizing the impact of a storm is dependent on actions taken now, in advance of the hurricane. Informing yourself about hurricane hazards, checking your home’s infrastructure, creating a family plan, and assembling multiple disaster kits are some of the tips offered by the co-chairs to help citizens prepare for the 2006 hurricane season. Read more Additional Hurricane Tips: Beginning storm preparation after your local weather station reports a potential disaster is much too late to effectively protect your loved ones and belongings. Now is the time to establish safety and communications plans with your family, strengthen your home, and take the necessary action to minimize the impact of a disaster. - ProtectingAmerica.org co-chair James Lee Witt |
Florida Taking Steps to Better Protect Itself Legislature Calls for Creation of National Catastrophe Fund As the 2006 hurricane season opens, the Florida Legislature is taking steps to better prepare and protect consumers from the effects of natural catastrophe. House Memorial 541 and Senate Memorial 1596 both call on Congress to create a national catastrophe fund. The action by the Florida legislature follows a similar resolution by Governor Bush and the Florida Cabinet, demonstrating widespread understanding in Florida that consumers need better protection from catastrophe. Read more
Catastrophe Management Legislation Introduced in Senate to Complement H.R. 4366 ProtectingAmerica.org co-chairs James Lee Witt and Admiral James Loy applauded U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) for introducing legislation to better prepare and protect America from catastrophe. Senator Nelson is calling for the creation of a comprehensive, integrated solution that helps provide more protection at lower costs to consumers, while also developing mitigation and prevention initiatives including stronger building codes, homeowner education programs and strengthening first responders. Read more
National Association of REALTORS® Urges Natural Disaster Insurance Plan Hurricanes don’t just hit the Gulf states; in the past 100 years, 11 hurricanes have hit New England, and six have made landfall on Long Island. Policymakers must act now to make sure America is better prepared - ProtectingAmerica.org co-chair Admiral James M. Loy |
ProtectingAmerica.org co-chair Admiral James M. Loy and other insurance and disaster education experts discussed the impact of natural disaster insurance and current conditions on the real estate industry at the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2006 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. At the meetings, the NAR urged their support for legislation that will help people rebuild their homes and their lives, help insurers provide homeowners insurance in disaster-prone areas, and support the rebuilding of communities in those regions. Read more
Coalition Member Spotlight – 2006/07 Disaster Resource GUIDE The Disaster Resource GUIDE, published by Emergency Lifeline Corporation, is about helping companies, institutions, communities, and families preserve and protect those things that are most important– people...property...jobs...business assets...community. The 11th annual 'One-Stop' GUIDE pulls together thousands of resources for prevention, mitigation, response and recovery in six critical areas: - Planning & Management
- Human Concerns
- Information Availability & Security
- Telecommunications
- Facility Issues
- Crisis Communications & Response
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The 212 page GUIDE includes thousands of resources—products and services, associations, educational institutions, and government agencies. You can obtain a complimentary copy if… - You have job responsibilities which relate to business continuity, emergency management, enterprise risk management and/or homeland security.
- You mailing address is in the United States.
- You sign up by June 5th.
To get your complimentary copy of the annual GUIDE and/or a free subscription to the the weekly Continuity e-GUIDE, go to www.disaster-resource.com/cgi-bin/freeguide.cgi Send Us Your News- Do you have news that you would like to include in our Coalition Spotlight? Write us at enews@protectingamerica.org and let us know how your organization is working to better protect America from catastrophe. Your news will be added to the Web site and featured in an upcoming newsletter.
ProtectingAmerica.org's mission is to raise awareness, educate the public and policymakers, and offer solutions that will better prepare and protect America from major catastrophe in a sensible, cost-effective fashion. Please contact enews@protectingamerica.org if you have any questions or comments.
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