Governor Declares Severe Weather Awareness Week

Today, Governor Bobby Jindal proclaimed Severe Weather Awareness Week February 13-17, 2012. According to the National Weather Service (NWS),  severe weather can impact Louisiana anytime of the year.

The typical peak time for severe weather occurs during the spring which often includes heavy rainfall, flooding and tornadoes.  Citizens are urged to “Get a Game Plan” and be ready for all hazards.  

There’s also a new tool available to provide guidance to help businesses  be prepared for  emergencies. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) launched a new free application, or “app”, named “Get a Business Plan” that can be downloaded on iPhones and iPads from Apple’s iTunes Store. The new app includes information on how to build an emergency plan for your business and employees, information from the Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center regarding available resources during an emergency, how to apply for  Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance, business preparedness programs and additional contact numbers. At the start of hurricane season last June, GOHSEP released the “Get a Game Plan” app which is designed to assist citizens in building their family plan for a disaster and includes information such as evacuation routes and supply lists. 

GOHSEP Director Kevin Davis said, “Louisiana continues to utilize ‘best practices’ to ensure our citizens have the latest and best technology, such as this new business app, to access information prior to, during and after  an emergency. Our local businesses are key to communities coming back online when there’s a disaster.” Davis added, “As for severe weather awareness, we are constantly reminded that our state is vulnerable to weather hazards. Hurricanes are not our only threat and it doesn’t take much for a heavy rainfall, for example, to turn into a major problem for our residents. It is imperative citizens stay on top of being prepared.”

Severe Weather Awareness Week

For more information on how to prepare for all hazards, go to www.getagameplan.org.