National Hurricane Preparedness Week, 2010

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8523 of May 20, 2010

National Hurricane Preparedness Week, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each year during hurricane season, Americans living in
our coastal and inland communities face the danger of
these powerful storms. From high winds and storm surges
to tornadoes and flooding, the hazards of hurricanes
can destroy communities and devastate lives, and we
must aggressively prepare our shores and protect our
families.

During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, I urge
individuals, families, communities, and businesses to
take time to plan for the storm season before it
begins. While hurricane forecasting has improved,
storms may still develop with little warning. For
Americans in hurricane-threatened areas, knowledge and
preparation are pivotal to ensure emergency readiness
and responsiveness. The National Hurricane Center at
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as
well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
recommend taking several important steps to ensure
safety. These precautions include: developing a family
disaster plan; maintaining an emergency supply kit;
securing homes, businesses, and belongings; and
learning evacuation routes.

I urge those in hurricane-threatened areas to visit
www.Hurricanes.gov/Prepare to learn more about what
they can do to protect themselves and their property
from hurricanes. Emergency preparation resources for
hurricanes and other natural disasters are also
available at: www.Ready.gov.

To help Americans meet the challenges of severe
weather, my Administration is focusing on preparedness
and response--before, during, and after hurricanes. We
are improving accountability and coordination between
all levels of government, modernizing our emergency
communications, and empowering more families to prepare
themselves. Thanks to advancements in hurricane
forecasting and tracking, the National Hurricane Center
is working to give citizens more notice before
impending storms. With the right planning and
preparation, we can safeguard lives, protect property,
and enhance America's resilience to national weather
emergencies.

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 23 through May
29, 2010, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. I
call upon all Americans, especially those in hurricane-
prone areas, to learn more about protecting themselves
against hurricanes and to work together to respond to
them.

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