Tropical Storm Isaac: Monitor Its Path and Prepare Now. More Details Inside…

Individual and Community Preparedness Digest:

Tropical Storm Isaac

 

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DHS -FEMA Update

Tropical Storm Isaac: Monitor Its Path and Prepare Now

Forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service are calling for Tropical Storm Isaac to pass the Dominican Republic today and near or over Cuba this weekend. Some strengthening is expected while the center remains over water. While it is still too early to know exactly how strong the storm will be after its interaction with land this weekend or where the storm will have the greatest impact to the U.S. Coast, we encourage people throughout Florida, the Gulf Coast and parts of the East Coast to make sure they take steps to prepare for potential severe storm, hurricane and flooding conditions. Stay tuned to your local news and always evacuate when instructed to.

Take time this weekend to ensure you:

• Have an adequate communication plan with friends and family
• Identify hurricane evacuation routes
• Gather supplies including a battery- powered radio, extra batteries, flashlight, cell phone chargers, medications, non-perishable food and first aid items for family and pets

Remember, hurricanes also bring flooding. Flooding can occur two ways: gradually or very suddenly. If you are in an area where there is a chance flooding can occur very suddenly, which is also known as a “flash flood,” move immediately to higher ground. Avoid walking or driving through any flooded areas – it only takes six inches of fast-moving flood water to knock over an adult and two feet to move a vehicle.

Prepare for hazards in YOUR area

Although you may not be is Isaac’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 tornados, 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. And 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 tropical storm:

• On your computer: www.Ready.gov/hurricanes
• On your phone: m.fema.gov or on the FEMA app

Latest Isaac forecast from the National Hurricane Center:

• On your computer: www.hurricanes.gov
• On your phone: http://hurricanes.gov/mobile
• On Twitter: www.twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic
• On Facebook: www.facebook.com/US.NOAA.NationalHurricaneCenter.gov

Community preparedness tools and resources:

• Community Preparedness Toolkit: http://www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/toolkit/kitindex.shtm
• Citizen Corps Program: http://www.citizencorps.gov/index.shtm
• Youth Preparedness: http://www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/youth/youthindex.shtm
• Business Preparedness: http://www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/business.shtm
• Neighbors Helping Neighbors: http://www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/neighborshelpingneighbors.shtm

Follow us on Twitter for more tips and recommendations! We want to hear your suggestions on how we can improve our communications to you, be sure to email us at citizencorps@dhs.gov.