A hurricane is one of the most dramatic, damaging and life altering events that can occur in our state. The 2017 Hurricane Season began June 1 and continues through November 30.
This year marks 12 years since Hurricane Katrina struck Mississippi on August 29, 2005, taking the lives of 231 citizens, destroying thousands of homes and causing billions of dollars in damage.
Mississippians should be aware that while the state is better prepared than ever to respond to a hurricane, it is imperative they need to take an active role in improving their ability to prepare for, survive and recover from the impacts of hurricanes by developing a family emergency plan, learning evacuation routes and assembling a three to five-day disaster supply kit that should contain:
Flashlight and battery-powered radio with additional batteries.
Canned and non-perishable food.
Bottled water.
Toiletry items.
Pet food and pet supplies.
Medicine and prescription medication.
Copies of important family papers and documents.
By promoting preparedness information about the dangers to the public’s health and safety that hurricanes pose and helping with relief efforts when these powerful storms strike, we can reduce the loss of life and property and help our neighbors recover more quickly from their devastating effects. With education, preparation, forecasting and coordination, we can save lives and improve Mississippi’s ability to withstand the impact of hurricanes.
Download MEMA’s 2017 Hurricane Guide here
