PEARL, Miss. (MEMA) – Hurricane Season officially starts June 1 and runs through November 30. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency urges residents to be prepared and know the resources available throughout hurricane season.
“Forecasters are predicting a “below-average” season, but in Mississippi, citizens know to be prepared,” said MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney. “Protect your lives, family, and property by having a plan, a disaster kit ready to go, and those important documents stored in a safe place.”
During Hurricane Season, citizens should keep at least 72 hours of food and water. A go-kit should include the following:
- Flashlight and battery-powered radio with additional batteries.
- Canned and non-perishable food.
- Bottled water.
- Toiletry items.
- Pet food and pet supplies.
- Medicine and prescription medication.
- Copies of important family papers and documents.
- Personal protective equipment
When families are making their hurricane plan, there are some important considerations such as:
- If an evacuation order is put in place, where will you go?
- Who outside of your immediate family knows your plan?
- If you have access and functional needs, how will you evacuate, and who is needed to help you?
- Do you have medications that must stay cool? How will you keep them cool during a power outage?
- Do you have medical supplies that require electricity? If so, what’s your plan in case of a prolonged power outage?
MEMA has many resources to help residents prepare for a storm, including the new MEMA app. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store free of charge. On the app, users can find checklists, shelter information, and customizable weather alerts tailored to each user.
Our Disaster Guide demonstrates what to do before, during, and after a storm, including making an evacuation plan and building a disaster kit. The Disaster Guide can be downloaded in Spanish and Vietnamese on the MEMA website, MSEMA.org.
After a storm, residents are first encouraged to contact their insurance provider if there is any damage, file a claim, and report the damage. Residents can use MEMA’s self-reporting tool Crisis Track. This is a tool to help local officials determine the amount of damage within a community. This information is vital to understanding the impact of the storm and the needs of communities.
Protecting lives and property are MEMA’s top priorities, and we hope that residents will make a plan, prepare, and be vigilant this hurricane season.
The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins June 1st. To see MEMA’s video on the start of hurricane season click the link below.
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