[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9286 of May 22, 2015

National Hurricane Preparedness Week, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Hurricanes cause devastating and sometimes deadly damage, with violent
winds and heavy rains destroying buildings, inundating both coastal and
inland areas, and displacing residents from their communities. Each
year, we call attention to the risks hurricanes and tropical

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storms pose, as well as the steps we can take to protect ourselves, our
loved ones, and our communities. During National Hurricane Preparedness
Week, we recommit to strengthening the capacity of local responders and
creating resilient cities, towns, and neighborhoods that are prepared
when disaster strikes.
My Administration continues to partner with State, local, and tribal
governments, helping them prepare for and respond to hurricanes. We are
supporting new technology to help families develop emergency plans,
determine evacuation routes, and receive disaster alerts; once a storm
has passed, these tools can also help connect residents to resources--
from clean water and shelter to information about power outages and gas
station closings. We continue to fund rebuilding efforts in areas
devastated by hurricanes, ensuring new infrastructure can withstand
future storms. And to bolster our recovery efforts for the long term, we
have instituted a Unified Federal Review process to help those in need
of recovery assistance better navigate the permits and environmental
reviews necessary to ensure a rapid and resilient recovery.
Hurricane-associated storm intensity and rainfall rates are projected to
increase during this century, in part due to increasing sea surface
temperatures. These changes, combined with rising sea levels, could lead
to additional damage and higher costs in both coastal and inland
communities. That is why, as part of my Climate Action Plan, my
Administration is taking steps to prepare for and combat these effects.
We are supporting communities with Federal resources, and earlier this
year, I signed an Executive Order that establishes a flood standard for
new and rebuilt federally funded structures in and around floodplains.
Preparing for and responding to hurricanes is a team effort--everyone
has a role to play in keeping our communities safe. Now is the time for
each of us to take simple steps to prepare our families for severe
weather. Find out today if you live in a storm surge evacuation zone, a
low-lying floodplain, or any other location from which you might need to
evacuate. I encourage all Americans living in hurricane-threatened areas
to build an emergency supply kit, learn evacuation routes, make a family
communication strategy, and practice this plan. During a storm, always
be sure to follow the instructions of State, local, and tribal
officials. To learn more about ways to prepare for hurricanes and other
natural disasters, visit www.Ready.gov and www.Hurricanes.gov/Prepare.
As we enter hurricane season, remember that disaster preparedness is a
shared responsibility. Together, let us rededicate ourselves to ensuring
the safety of our loved ones and neighbors by building communities ready
to weather storms and all natural disasters.
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 24 through May 30,
2015, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. I call upon government
agencies, private organizations, schools, media, 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 twenty-second day
of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of

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the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-ninth.
BARACK OBAMA