FEMA Blog

Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs

At the end of each week, we post a "What We’re Watching" blog as we look ahead to the weekend and recap events from the week. We encourage you to share it with your friends and family, and have a safe weekend.

Severe Weather Outlook

Yesterday, severe storms and tornadoes swept through the Rocky Mountain region, specifically affecting Colorado and Wyoming. We continue to closely monitor the situation as our partners at the state, local and tribal levels coordinate the response efforts. Over the weekend, we will be closely watching another line of potentially severe storms that could affect North and South Dakota, and portions of the Midwest.

In addition to the threat of thunderstorms, National Weather Service forecasts show portions of the Rocky Mountains and much of the Southwest will be at increased risk for wildfire outbreaks. Wildfires are common this time of year, so use extreme caution when you’re outside with objects that could start a fire (such as matches or your grill). Stay updated on your local forecast conditions at weather.gov (or mobile.weather.gov on your mobile device) and listen to the directions of local officials – for example, if they advise against outdoor grilling because of the threat of wildfires, prepare your meal inside.

And when you have a few minutes this weekend, visit Ready.gov to find out more about getting your home, family or business better prepared for the hazards in your area.

Promoting disaster preparedness in your town

Yesterday, I traveled to Houston, Texas with Administrator Fugate to meet with business owners, school officials, non-profit organizations, and preparedness experts at a “Disaster Preparedness Expo”. I wanted to share details about this event in our weekly “What We’re Watching” post for two reasons:

• We’re always "watching" to promote events where people are sharing how they’re preparing, and
• Hosting a similar event in your town is a simple way to build resiliency in your community.

Houston, Texas, June 7, 2012 -- Administrator Fugate speaks with a fellow FEMA employee at a disaster preparedness expo at a Wal-Mart/Sam's Club.

Being resilient means being able to bounce back after an unexpected event, like a natural or man-made disaster. At the event in Houston, the Administrator emphasized the point that small business disaster preparedness remains a major gap in communities becoming more resilient.

As we say for personal preparedness, small steps can take you a long way. For businesses, the same holds true. Having a plan for how your business (or family) would operate after a disaster is a critical step in improving resiliency – and it’s not as hard as you think. Ready.gov/make-a-plan has some great tips on getting your family better prepared, and Ready.gov/business is a great starting point for business owners.

As we head into the weekend, I encourage you to think about the ways you can make resiliency a priority in your home or workplace. Drop us a comment below to let us know how you’re getting better prepared, that way your example can motivate others, too.

Houston, Texas, June 7, 2012 -- A Texas Emergency Management Official passes out brochures at the disaster preparedness expo. Administrator Fugate attended the disaster preparedness event at a Wal-Mart/Sam's Club.