    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    PROCLAMATION 8523--MAY 20, 2010

    Proclamation 8523 of May 20, 2010
    National Hurricane Preparedness Week, 2010
    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    Each year during hurricane season, Americans living in our coastal and
    inland communities face the danger of these powerful storms. From high
    winds and storm surges to tornadoes and flooding, the hazards of
    hurricanes can destroy communities and devastate lives, and we must
    aggressively prepare our shores and protect our families.
    During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, I urge individuals,
    families, communities, and businesses to take time to plan for the storm
    season before it begins. While hurricane forecasting has improved,
    storms may still develop with little warning. For Americans in
    hurricane-threatened areas, knowledge and preparation are pivotal to
    ensure emergency readiness and responsiveness. The National Hurricane
    Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well
    as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, recommend taking several
    important steps to ensure safety. These precautions include: devel-

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    oping a family disaster plan; maintaining an emergency supply kit;
    securing homes, businesses, and belongings; and learning evacuation
    routes.
    I urge those in hurricane-threatened areas to visit www.Hurricanes.gov/
    Prepare to learn more about what they can do to protect themselves and
    their property from hurricanes. Emergency preparation resources for
    hurricanes and other natural disasters are also available at:
    www.Ready.gov.
    To help Americans meet the challenges of severe weather, my
    Administration is focusing on preparedness and response--before, during,
    and after hurricanes. We are improving accountability and coordination
    between all levels of government, modernizing our emergency
    communications, and empowering more families to prepare themselves.
    Thanks to advancements in hurricane forecasting and tracking, the
    National Hurricane Center is working to give citizens more notice before
    impending storms. With the right planning and preparation, we can
    safeguard lives, protect property, and enhance America's resilience to
    national weather emergencies.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 23 through May 29,
    2010, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. I call upon all
    Americans, especially those in hurricane-prone areas, to learn more
    about protecting themselves against hurricanes and to work together to
    respond to them.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of
    May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence
    of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
    BARACK OBAMA