By By MaryClaire Foster
To prepare citizens living along the coast for the six-month hurricane season that begins June 1, Hurricane Preparedness Week has been declared for May 24-30.
The week is sponsored by the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center and serves as a reminder to make early preparations in the event of a hurricane.
Meteorologist Jeffrey Medlin with the NWS in Mobile said this year’s hurricane season is predicted to be normal with 11 named hurricanes, two being major hurricanes and six other hurricanes. The first 11 hurricane names from the 2009 list are Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin and Kate.
Medlin said even with a “normal” season prediction, it is essential to be prepared.
Joan Hackman, director of the Atmore area Red Cross, said that planning ahead is key to staying safe.
Hackman said because there has not been much major activity in the past few years it is easy for people to not be as prepared as they should.
The Red Cross has partnered with State Farm Insurance agent offices to offer a 3-step preparedness brochure as well as Personal Safety Emergency Packs.
The Personal Safety Emergency Packs are available in limited quantities and will be given out on a first come, first serve basis. The packs contain the basic emergency preparedness and first aid items to support one person during a short-term emergency situation and treat minor injuries.
To assist in preparation, the National Hurricane Center’s web site gives the following list of tips for family hurricane preparedness: