Prepare for Common Natural Disasters in June
June 24, 2015
The international student community in the United States includes over 1 million F and M students, along with over 8,000 Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools. As a member of this large and growing community, it is important that you become involved in the preparedness movement.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (which like SEVP is part of the Department of Homeland Security) launched the Ready.gov campaign to educate and empower people across the country to prepare for and respond to emergencies that include natural and man-made disasters. The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and ultimately increase the level of basic preparedness across the nation.
The #Ready2015 campaign aims to progress Ready.gov’s mission by tying preparedness messaging and education to seasonal weather patterns. During the warmer summer months, depending on where you live or study in the United States, there are certain natural disasters that are more common than others. Three of the most severe weather conditions that occur during this time of year are hurricanes, lightning and wildfires.
In different parts of the country, hurricane season can span from mid-May to late-November. A hurricane’s extensive rainfall and excessive winds can cause severe damage that spans for hundreds of miles inland. Typically, thunderstorms accompany these storms and produce dangerous lightning.
In the western United States, dry thunderstorms are prevalent. In these instances, the rain may not reach the ground but lightning does. This causes problems in the vast, dry, woodland areas because it can cause wildfires that spread fast and destroy land and property.
Whether you are at a school on the Florida coast or in the deserts of California, you should be prepared for the different types of weather. Visit Ready.gov to learn how to make a plan, build a disaster safety kit and spread the word about preparedness by getting involved.