National Hurricane Preparedness Week, 2011

Proclamation 8679 of May 20, 2011

National Hurricane Preparedness Week, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

National Hurricane Preparedness Week highlights the
importance of planning ahead to protect our families
and secure our communities and homes in advance of the
upcoming hurricane season.

Hurricanes are powerful storms that can create severe
flooding, dangerous storm surges, high winds, and
tornadoes. The effects of these storms can be
devastating to entire communities and can have long-
lasting consequences, including loss of life and
property. In addition to threatening coastal areas,
hurricanes significantly impact inland locations. Our
Nation has seen devastating hurricanes and storms, and
we must not let our guard down as we prepare for this
year's hurricane season. With tens of millions of
Americans living in coastal communities, preparation
can enhance our ability to respond to and recover from
any natural disaster we might face.

Our Nation's weather forecasters at the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National
Hurricane Center continue to improve the accuracy of
their hurricane forecasts. However, we cannot prevent a
hurricane from making landfall, and awareness of the
threat is not enough--we must translate this knowledge
into action, and work together to develop prepared and
resilient communities. My Administration recognizes
that we must move from a government-centric approach to
disaster management to a community-oriented approach
that includes all levels of government, the private
sector, volunteers, community and faith-based
organizations, and the public. A whole community effort
is needed to effectively prepare for, protect against,
respond to, recover from, and mitigate against any
disaster.

During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, we
emphasize the need for individuals, businesses,
nonprofits, and families to prepare emergency plans,
create emergency supply kits, and learn evacuation
routes. More information on hurricane hazards and
details on how to secure buildings and belongings is
available at www.Hurricanes.gov/Prepare and
www.Ready.gov.

America has seen the heartbreak a hurricane can leave
behind. By working together, government, private and
nonprofit organizations, emergency responders, and
private citizens can help save lives and reduce the
damage caused by these storms.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim May 22 through May
28, 2011, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. I
call upon government agencies, private organizations,
schools, media, and residents in the coastal areas of
our Nation to share information about hurricane
preparedness and response to help save lives and
protect communities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.