Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs
At the end of each week, we post a "What We’re Watching" blog as we look ahead to the weekend and recap events from the week. We encourage you to share it with your friends and family, and have a safe weekend. 
 
Courtesy of the National Weather Service. The colors on this map displays active watch, warnings, advisories and short term forecasts in the lower 48 US states. This map is automatically refreshed by the National Weather Service. 

Wildfires, warmer temperatures, and droughts
We are closely monitoring the ongoing wildfires in several Rocky Mountain and southwest states, working with our state, local and tribal partners to ensure they have the support they need in fighting the fires. The National Weather Service forecast centers are calling for warmer temperatures and drought conditions to continue in states such as Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas, while the Southeast continues to go through a dry spell as well. As you are out and about this weekend, remember to keep flammable items away from dry foliage and vegetation to cut down on the risk of starting a fire.

New director of the National Hurricane Center
Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Dr. Rick Knabb will be the next director of the National Hurricane Center, succeeding outgoing Director Bill Read. Administrator Fugate released this statement on the appointment:
Dr. Rick Knabb’s selection as the next Director of the National Hurricane Center showcases the continued coordination and partnership that FEMA has enjoyed with outgoing Director Bill Read. The Hurricane Center has always been a steadfast partner in promoting a message of preparedness while tracking tropical storms and hurricanes and informing the public on their impact. As everyone here at FEMA wishes Bill the best in his new endeavors, we welcome the new partnership with Rick. As we approach the beginning of the Hurricane Season on June 1st, I’m confident that the employees of FEMA and the new leadership and staff at the Hurricane Center will continue to serve the nation well.
Check out NOAA’s website for more on the appointment.

Joplin tornado one-year anniversary approaches
Next week, May 22, will mark one year since a deadly tornado swept through Joplin, Mo. We continue to support individuals, families, and the community affected by the terrible storm – and the recovery continues to be led by those at the local level. This past week, FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino hosted a call (as part of our monthly FEMA Think Tank series) with civic leaders from Joplin to discuss the ongoing recovery efforts. As the nation continues to reflect on this deadly tornado, we hope the many news stories will serve as a reminder of the importance of getting your family, home, or business prepared before a disaster strikes.

While we cannot control where or when tornadoes will occur, we can all take steps now to lessen their impact on our lives. For more on getting prepared before tornadoes or severe thunderstorms, visit www.Ready.gov/tornadoes.

Posted by: Ed Laatsch, Chief, Building Sciences Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration
President Barack Obama proclaimed May as National Building Safety Month, recognizing the key role safe building codes and standards play in the fight against loss of life and catastrophic damage caused by disasters.

Building Safety Month highlights the importance of resilient building, to save energy, protect the environment, and lessen the effects of disasters. During this month of building safety awareness, we want to emphasize our commitment to support communities in their efforts to build stronger and safer, now and all year long. FEMA, in consultation and coordination with building science experts, encourages construction that can lessen the damaging effects of disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding.

Here are a few examples of how we encourage better building:

• We work with organizations, like the International Code Council, and state and local building officials to help develop, and encourage the adoption of disaster-resistant building codes and standards. These standards, when adopted, will lead to the construction of buildings that can help reduce damages and protect lives.
• FEMA, through our Building Science Branch, works with scientists and design professionals from federal, state, territorial, local, non-profit, tribal and private sector organizations to assess disaster damages, capture research results, and develop technical guidance for building stronger and safer. This guidance focuses on both construction and retrofitting of existing buildings. We also provide technical guidance to disaster affected areas through workshops, in-person meetings, and other outreach events.
• Most recently, we published the Mitigation Assessment Team Tornado Report this month, which was developed in response to the tornadoes that impacted the Southeast and Mid-Western Regions in the spring of 2011. Following these tragic events, we sent out investigative teams to evaluate the damages and to look at the resilience of the structures left standing. These teams documented the observations and conclusions of these events and developed recommendations for improvements in building design, construction, code development and enforcement and materials. Additionally, they documented mitigation activities that increased resiliency and aided new construction and post-disaster building repair and recovery. 

Our interest in building safety covers a wide range of natural and technological hazards including wind, earthquake and even flood. Through the National Flood Insurance Program, FEMA helps communities and individuals make informed decisions about where and how to build buildings to make them flood resilient.

Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, tornados, snow storms, wildfires and others will still occur; however, FEMA and our partner’s efforts to build stronger and safer are helping communities and citizens across the nation prepare for, withstand, and recover from disasters.

Visit fema.gov or the Building Safety Month Website for additional information and resources and learn simple steps you can take today to better prepare their home or business property for a disaster.

Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs
Many of our blog posts tend to throw a lot of information out there about how you can get prepared for emergencies. But for today, we just wanted to post cute photos of how pets can make sure they’re prepared before disasters strike, too. Hurricane season begins June 1, so now is a great time to make sure your family (and pets) have an emergency plan and have extra supplies. And even if you don’t live in a hurricane prone area, getting prepared for the risks in your area could help keep your family safe, reduce the stress during an emergency, and give you peace of mind.

And now, to the photos:

This is Hermes. He printed out this brochure from Ready.gov and is learning how to stay safe after an emergency.



Here’s Betty. She lives in California and made sure a pet life jacket was included in her owners’ emergency supply kit.



Jonas has waterproof gear in case a severe storm or flood should happen – useful to add to any pet (or human) emergency supply kit.



Pets are part of your family, too. Make sure you have a plan for taking care of them after an emergency and have extra food, water & pet medications in your emergency kit. Get more information about preparing your animals (and other family members) at Ready.gov.

Publicado por: Lars Anderson, Director de Relaciones Públicas
Muchos de nuestros mensajes en el blog tienen mucha información sobre la preparación de emergencias. Peros hoy, queremos publicas unas fotos hermosas sobre como podemos garantizar que nuestras mascotas están preparadas antes de que el desastre ocurra. La temporada de huracanes comienza el primero de junio por lo que ahora es el momento de estar seguros de que su familia y mascotas tienen un plan de emergencias y suministros adicionales. Aunque no viva en un área propensa a huracanes el estar preparados para todos los riesgos ayuda a mantener a su familia segura, reducir la tensión durante emergencias y puede estar tranquilo.

Y ahora, a ver las fotos:

Este es Hermes. El imprimió el folleto para propietarios de mascotas de listo.gov y esta aprendiendo a como estar seguro después de una emergencia.



Esta es Betty. Ella vive en California y se aseguro de que su chaleco de salvavidas fue incluido en el equipo de emergencias de sus dueños.



Jonas tiene ropa impermeable por si ocurren tormentas severas o inundaciones- útil para que sea incluido en el equipo de emergencia de las mascotas o personas.



Las mascotas son parte de la familia. Asegúrese de tener un plan para cuidarlos después de emergencias y tener comida, agua y medicinas en el equipo de emergencias. Puede obtener más información sobre la preparación de mascotas y miembros de la familia en listo.gov.

Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs
It’s the middle of the week, “Hump Day” and most of us have begun the countdown until the weekend. Maybe your weekend plans include staying home to get some much needed R&R. Or maybe you are looking forward to going to a nearby park or to spending time with family.

If your weekend plans include taking a drive in your car or truck, take a minute during the rest of this week to make sure you have supplies in case an emergency should happen. Having emergency supplies in your vehicle could prove useful in situations ranging from popping a tire to being caught in a sudden flash flood. So take a quick inventory of the supplies in your car or truck and make sure it’s ready for wherever your weekend plan may take you.



For more tips on building your vehicle’s emergency kit, visit Ready.gov.

Publicado por: Lars Anderson, Director de Relacione Publicas
Es la mitad de la semana y muchos de nosotros comenzaron la cuenta atrás hasta el fin de semana. Puede que sus planes de fin de semana sean quedarse en casa y descansar o ir a un parque cercano para pasar tiempo con la familia. Si sus planes de fin de semana incluyen viajar en su auto o camión, tome unos minutos para garantizar que tiene los suministros necesarios en caso de que una emergencia ocurra. Tener suministros de emergencia en su auto puede ser útil en caso de que se rompa un neumático o este atrapado en una inundación repentina. Haga un inventario de lo que tiene en su automóvil o camión y asegúrese de estar listo ante cualquier situación en donde sea su destino para el fin de semana.



Para mas consejos sobre la preparación de un equipo de emergencias para su auto visite www.listo.gov.