[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 12, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 25943-25944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10128]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 90 / Wednesday, May 12, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 25943]]

                Proclamation 10205 of May 7, 2021

                
National Hurricane Preparedness Week, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In 2020, the United States experienced a record year 
                for extreme weather, with an unprecedented 30 named 
                storms in the Atlantic Basin alone. Twelve of these 
                storms, six of which were hurricanes, made landfall in 
                the United States. These storms and hurricanes 
                unleashed their devastating power on the individuals 
                and communities in their paths. Their frequency and 
                impact also highlight the existential threat posed to 
                our Nation by climate change. During National Hurricane 
                Preparedness Week, we encourage all Americans living in 
                potentially affected areas to take precautions to 
                ensure that they, their families, and their communities 
                are best prepared for hurricanes, and commit to 
                improving our resilience to climate-related 
                catastrophes.

                The costs exacted by these storms, in lives, 
                livelihoods, and property damage, are staggering. Seven 
                of last year's 30 named storms claimed 86 lives and 
                caused $40 billion dollars in damage. Over the past two 
                decades, tropical storms and hurricanes have taken over 
                6,000 lives in the United States and caused $853 
                billion in damage. These storms accounted for 60 
                percent of the costs of our most damaging weather 
                events. In addition to the highly-visible damage, 
                hurricanes also exact an unseen and long-lasting 
                emotional toll; the trauma of a lost loved one, the 
                sadness of losing treasured possessions, the stress of 
                a financial setback. This is compounded for low-income 
                communities and communities of color who are more 
                likely to live in areas that make them vulnerable to 
                flooding and other climate-related weather events, and 
                less likely to have the funds to prepare for and 
                recover from extreme weather events.

                As changes in our climate lead to additional extreme 
                weather events, we must pursue research and resilience 
                policies that keep us safe and strengthen our 
                resilience.

                Since taking office, I have directed my Administration 
                to put the climate crisis and the communities most 
                vulnerable to it at the center of our domestic and 
                foreign policy. This includes investing in weather 
                forecasting and climate research to bolster our 
                understanding of how our changing climate is altering 
                the behavior of hurricanes, as well as ensuring every 
                community has the resources to prepare for and respond 
                to these changing storms. Although hurricanes cannot be 
                prevented, we can predict and prepare for them.

                We are constantly improving our forecasts and 
                communications with the public about the dangers posed 
                by hurricanes. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                Administration (NOAA) forecasters work around the clock 
                and collaborate with State, local, Tribal, and 
                territorial emergency managers and government officials 
                to provide actionable information before, during, and 
                after a hurricane. NOAA also collaborates with key 
                decision makers in Federal agencies, including the 
                Department of Homeland Security and the Federal 
                Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Such collaborative 
                work ensures that communities standing in a storm's 
                path have the information and resources they need to 
                adequately prepare. After the storm, NOAA provides 
                stakeholders with essential information for damage 
                assessments and to re-open ports and coastal waterways 
                critical to our Nation's commerce.

[[Page 25944]]

                In addition to work being done by Federal, State, 
                local, and Tribal governments, Americans should prepare 
                themselves before a hurricane hits. Keep up with 
                weather forecasts and have an evacuation kit prepared 
                in case you ever need to relocate in advance of a 
                hurricane. More information and preparedness plan 
                templates are available from FEMA's ready.gov website.

                Everyone has a role to play in hurricane preparedness 
                and making us a Weather-Ready Nation. When hurricanes 
                strike, that's how we will save lives, lessen the 
                damage to our homes, communities, and infrastructure, 
                and recover stronger and faster.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 9 through 
                May 15, 2021, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. 
                I urge all Americans to help build our Weather-Ready 
                Nation, so that individuals are empowered and 
                organizations can fulfill leadership roles in their 
                communities. I call on our Federal, State, Tribal, 
                territorial and local government agencies to share 
                information that will protect lives and property.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-10128
Filed 5-11-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P