The Journey of Humanitarian Relief: FEMA's "Individual and Community Preparedness e-Brief" on Hurricane Sandy

FEMA has published the following "Individual and Community Preparedness e-Brief" on Hurricane Sandy preparedness. Please read the following rebroadcasted message from FEMA to learn what you can do to prepare for the storm.

Closely Monitoring Hurricane Sandy - Ensure You Are Ready!

As many of you know, Hurricane Sandy is heading up the East Coast. We are asking you to do the following:

Read and share this email;
Visit http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes;
Like and share FEMA's Facebook page posts;
Follow and retweet @ReadyDotGov tweets; and
Download and share these useful apps: FEMA - Android, Apple, Blackberry or American Red Cross "Hurricane" app - Android, Apple to receive hurricane safety tips right on your phones.

Hurricane Sandy's path, projected on Friday, October 26, 2012 by the National Hurricane Center. The latest tracking information is available here.

Currently, Hurricane Sandy is a Category One storm with winds at 80 miles per hour. Forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service are predicting the hurricane will leave the Bahamas later tonight and run parallel along the East Coast for the next 24 to 48 hours. Going into tonight and tomorrow, the Florida Keys, southeast and east-central Florida are expected to experience heavy rainfall and high winds. As such, we urge residents and businesses in southeastern Florida and in other East Coast states along the storm's projected path to monitor the progress of Hurricane Sandy.

Administrator Craig Fugate recently provided some important reminders about this storm.

"As Hurricane Sandy proceeds closer toward southeast Florida, residents should listen to local officials for updates and follow their instructions. As the storm moves northward, it serves as a reminder that we all need to be prepared for severe weather. Now is the time to update your family communication plans, check your supplies, and stay informed. A hurricane isn't a point on a map - it's a big storm and its impact will be felt far from the center. FEMA is in contact with states and tribal governments and stands ready to support their preparedness efforts."

High, sustained winds for more than 48 hours are a main concern in areas along Hurricane Sandy's projected path. Power outages may occur as a result of these winds, possibly leaving residents without electricity for extended periods of time as workers will need to wait for winds to die down below 35-mph to safely address downed lines and trees.

If you have not done so already, it is important to ensure you:

Check your family's emergency supply kit - make certain you have food, water, medications, and other necessities to sustain you, your family and family pets for at least 72 hours.
Follow the direction of local officials - any evacuation orders come from local officials, so follow their guidance.
Keep up to date with local conditions - follow TV and radio reports from your area or visit www.weather.gov (http://mobile.weather.gov on your phone) for the latest forecast.
Remember food safety - power outages and flooding may happen as a result of strong winds and heavy rains so have a plan for keeping food safe. Have a cooler on hand to keep food cold, and group food together in the freezer so it stays cold longer.
Have an adequate communication plan - be sure friends and family know how to contact you. Teach family members how to use text messaging. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not get through.

Keep in mind, hurricanes bring heavy rains, storm surges and possible flooding events. Avoid walking or driving through any flooded areas - it takes only six inches of fast-moving flood water to knock over an adult and two feet to move a vehicle. Remember: Turn Around, Don't Drown!

Prepare for hazards in YOUR area

Although you may not be in Sandy's path, now is a good time to review the potential hazards where you live. Knowing likely risks for your area, whether wildfires, earthquakes or tornadoes and knowing what to do when a disaster strikes is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds matter. Local emergency management offices can help you identify hazards in your community and can outline the local plans and recommendations for each. Be sure to share this information with family, neighbors, colleagues and friends - talking about preparedness helps everyone be ready, "just in case." Use the links below to make your family, business and community safer, more resilient and better prepared for any disaster event.

Useful links

What to do before, during and after a hurricane or severe storm