Hurricane Emergency Preparedness and Resident Communications (2023 Updates)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) team predicts a “above-normal” Atlantic hurricane season. The group predicts 14-21 named storms, including 6-11 hurricanes, 2-5 of which are forecasted to be major. Government public safety leaders who have waded through the storm recovery process in the recent past are now preparing for a more active season than was expected earlier in the year. Public safety leaders must have a strategic business continuity and response plan in place to protect against disasters that threaten community infrastructure, financial resources, staff, and human life.

2023 Hurricane Season Impact (Updated August 2023)

Tropical Storm Arlene

Tropical Storm Arlene appeared in the Gulf of Mexico on June 2 but dissipated to a tropical depression the next day with maximum winds of 35 mph.

Tropical Storm Cindy

A tropical wave moving west off the coast of Africa produced Cindy on 18 June resulting in maximum winds of approximately 55 mph.

Hurricane Idalia

Hurricane Idalia touched down at Keaton Beach, Florida, on August 20, 2023. This Category 3 hurricane whipped into a Category 4 throughout the night, clocking average wind speeds of 125 mph. This storm affected Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina. Extensive damage was reported. All states but North Carolina were Declared Disasters by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for this hurricane.

Communities at Risk

According to NOAA, 88 percent of significant hurricane strikes in our nation’s history have hit Florida or Texas, and 40 percent of all U.S. hurricanes have hit Florida.

According to NOAA, the 10 U.S. States most vulnerable to hurricanes (in order) include:

• Florida
• Texas
• Louisiana
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Alabama
• Georgia
• New York
• Mississippi
• Virginia

While coastal and southern coastal communities are most at risk of a hurricane, even the almost entirely landlocked state of Pennsylvania once fell victim to a cyclone in 1898. Other states that have taken a direct storm hit since 1851 include:

• Alabama
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina

If your city, county, township, or other municipality is near the coast in any of these states, review our hurricane preparedness tips for residents below.

Hurricane Preparedness Resident Communications

Each year, at the start of hurricane season, distribute the following hurricane safety communications to your residents:

Hurricane Safety Preparedness

• Know if you are in an evacuation zone and your evacuation route(s).

• Assess your home to determine if it is vulnerable to flooding, storm surge, or wind damage. If it is, proactively work to make the improvements necessary to mitigate structural damage should a storm occur.
• Help mitigate the risk of damage to your home by removing potential hazards around your property. Trim trees, secure or store loose backyard furniture, and clear clogged rain gutters.
• Keep a list of emergency contacts in an easy-to-find location in your home, including local emergency management offices, local law enforcement, hospitals, utility providers, fire and rescue services, and your property insurance agent.
• Keep emergency food and supplies stocked in your home, such as bottled water, a first aid kit, battery-operated flashlights, and canned food.
• Sign up to receive your local government’s notifications, weather warnings, and safety alerts.
• If you are advised to evacuate, do so for your own safety and security.

Safety Tips When a Hurricane Is Imminent

If you are in the imminent path of a hurricane and are not able to evacuate, follow these safety procedures:

• Stay at home and let friends and family know your location.
• Close storm shutters and stay away from windows.
• Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting and only open it when necessary to preserve food if your power goes out.
• Ensure your vehicle is full of gas and stocked with extra clothes and emergency supplies.
• Charge your cell phone to ensure you have as much battery life as possible if you lose power for any period (which could range from minutes to days).
• Check the latest news from your local government and NOAA regularly.

Hurricane Recovery Tips

• If your home has been damaged or destroyed, the recovery process will take time, but resources are available to help ease the process of starting over. To minimize further risk to property or personal safety, follow these tips in the days immediately following a hurricane:
• Return home only when authorities have advised it is safe to do so.
• Beware of debris and downed power lines.
• Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.
• Avoid floodwater as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may obscure dangerous debris.
• Watch and listen for updates, news, alerts, and instructions from your local government.
• Local Government Emergency Communication Best Practices
• If a tropical storm or hurricane is projected to affect your community, follow these four emergency preparedness communication best practices:

Communicate Early and Often

Residents will turn first to their local government leaders for news, updates, alerts, and instructions during a natural disaster. Keep residents informed from the start of the event through the recovery efforts. Share relevant and actionable information, such as links to evacuation routes and emergency shelters, safety tips, and the latest news and updates on the recovery efforts.

Maintain a Calm Tone in All Communications

Your residents will feel more confident that their community is protected and that their safety is maintained if all your communications utilize a calm, confident, and informative tone. In addition, make sure all news, updates, and information you distribute have been verified and validated. During an emergency, when various credible and informal sources share information rapidly, the distribution of inaccurate information may complicate safety efforts.

Use All Available Channels To Distribute Safety Information, News, and Updates

This should include social media, your government website, text messages, phone, and email alerts. In addition, an emergency mass notification system can help expedite multi-channel communications.

Tap Into the IPAWS Network

Created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) utilizes national emergency communication channels such as emergency alert systems (EAS), wireless emergency alerts, NOAA weather radios, public TVs, and signage to provide area-specific alerts in times of emergency. It enables you to reach as many people as possible, including those who have not previously opted into emergency notifications, including visitors and nearby travelers.

By communicating preparedness and safety information to residents regularly, the number of annual hurricane casualties reduces. Check out more information on how an emergency mass notification system with IPAWS can help you reach as many residents as possible with emergency news and safety instructions.