Governor Bryant Declares Hurricane Preparedness Week

PEARL, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – Gov. Phil Bryant has declared May 23-27 as Hurricane Preparedness Week in Mississippi to ensure residents are prepared for the upcoming tropical weather season.

This year also marks the 11 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina that devastated the entire Mississippi Coast on August 29, 2005.

“Eleven years after Hurricane Katrina, we have vivid memories of that storm and its aftermath,” said Gov. Bryant.

“Catastrophic hurricanes do not occur every year, but we must prepare ourselves in such a way that we are prepared for any level of destruction.”

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will provide valuable preparedness information throughout the week for citizens and businesses on its website and on Facebook and Twitter.

Personal and community planning are the foundation for preparedness.

“Your most precious commodity is your family. Every Mississippian must constantly stay prepared for the possibility of a hurricane”, said MEMA Executive Director Lee Smithson.

“When it comes to hurricanes and tropical systems, it only takes one to change our lives forever. We must prepare for tomorrow’s disasters today.”

The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially starts June 1 and runs through November 30.

One of the first steps you should take is to create or restock an emergency supply kit before tropical weather threatens:

• Flashlight and battery-powered radio with extra batteries.
• Non-perishable food for at least three days.
• One gallon of water, per person, per day for at least three days.
• Toiletry items.
• Pet food and pet supplies.
• Medicine and prescription medication.
• Copies of important family papers and documents.
• Cash and travelers checks, enough to fill up your vehicle with fuel.

For more information about how to prepare for hurricane season, go to MEMA’s website at www.msema.org or download the MEMA mobile app on your iOS or Android device.