[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8679 of May 20, 2011

National Hurricane Preparedness Week, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
National Hurricane Preparedness Week highlights the importance of
planning ahead to protect our families and secure our communities and
homes in advance of the upcoming hurricane season.
Hurricanes are powerful storms that can create severe flooding,
dangerous storm surges, high winds, and tornadoes. The effects of these
storms can be devastating to entire communities and can have long-
lasting consequences, including loss of life and property. In addition
to threatening coastal areas, hurricanes significantly impact inland
locations. Our Nation has seen devastating hurricanes and storms, and we
must not let our guard down as we prepare for this year's hurricane
season. With tens of millions of Americans living in coastal
communities, preparation can enhance our ability to respond to and
recover from any natural disaster we might face.
Our Nation's weather forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's National Hurricane Center continue to improve the
accuracy of their hurricane forecasts. However, we cannot prevent a
hurricane from making landfall, and awareness of the threat is not
enough--we must translate this knowledge into action, and work together
to develop prepared and resilient communities. My Administration
recognizes that we must move from a government-centric approach to
disaster management to a community-oriented approach that includes all
levels of government, the private sector, volunteers, community and
faith-based organizations, and the public. A whole community effort is
needed to effectively prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover
from, and mitigate against any disaster.
During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, we emphasize the need for
individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and families to prepare emergency
plans, create emergency supply kits, and learn evacuation routes. More
information on hurricane hazards and details on how to secure buildings
and belongings is available at www.Hurricanes.gov/Prepare and
www.Ready.gov.
America has seen the heartbreak a hurricane can leave behind. By working
together, government, private and nonprofit organizations, emergency
responders, and private citizens can help save lives and reduce the
damage caused by these storms.
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 22 through May 28,
2011, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. I call upon government
agencies, private organizations, schools, media,

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and residents in the coastal areas of our Nation to share information
about hurricane preparedness and response to help save lives and protect
communities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fifth.
BARACK OBAMA