[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9447 of May 13, 2016

National Hurricane Preparedness Week, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each May, Americans set aside a week to raise awareness of the threat
posed by hurricanes--storms that can devastate communities,
neighborhoods, and local economies. The high winds, heavy rains,
lightning, and tornadoes that can come with these powerful storms cause
serious damage, but with proper preparation we can ensure the safety of
ourselves and our loved ones. During National Hurricane Preparedness
Week, we take deliberate action to safeguard our communities and work
together to improve our resilience to hurricanes.
Our Nation is better prepared than ever before for today's storms. Our
technology, forecasting, and models have improved, and we have new ways
of disseminating vital warnings and storm-tracking information. Still,
it is never too early to prepare for a potential disaster. I urge all
Americans to visit www.Ready.gov and www.Hurricanes.gov/prepare to find
key information on building an emergency supply kit and knowing what to
do when disaster strikes. By having a plan ready, with ideas about how
to respond to warnings, you can help avoid tragedy befalling you and
your loved ones. Our communities are not resilient unless individuals
have taken proper precautions.

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Hurricane intensity and rainfall are projected to increase as a result
of climate change. My Administration is dedicated to ensuring our
resilience in response to these climate change-related impacts. We are
working with the Congress, the private sector, and communities across
America to build climate-resilient infrastructure, and we are cutting
red tape to help those in need of recovery assistance better navigate
the environmental reviews necessary to ensure a rapid and resilient
recovery. The Federal Government is coordinating with State and local
governments to ensure their climate action plans are up to date and to
mitigate the worst effects of hurricanes--including through making
buildings more resilient, home elevations, and improving drainage--so
people are in a better position to avoid loss, damage, and interruption
of critical services, and so our communities are in a better position to
recover from storms. As a country, we continue to make strides in
achieving the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient
Nation with the capabilities required across communities to prevent,
protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from threats and
hazards that pose the greatest risk.
This past summer, our Nation commemorated the 10th anniversary of
Hurricane Katrina--a tragedy that claimed the lives of more than 1,800
of our fellow Americans. We all have a responsibility to step up and
take action to protect our Nation from such devastating disasters. As we
enter hurricane season, let us renew our commitment to that
responsibility, and let us unite in common purpose to safeguard our
communities.
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 15 through May 21,
2016, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. I call upon government
agencies, private organizations, schools, media, and residents in the
areas of our Nation vulnerable to hurricanes to share information about
preparedness and response to help save lives and protect their
communities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA