HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-17-2024; 4-b - Orange County Preparedness Month Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 17, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Orange County Preparedness Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kirby Saunders, Director, 919-245-6100
Proclamation Sarah Pickhardt, Division Chief of
Emergency Management, 919-245-
6100
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation declaring September 2024 as "Orange County
Preparedness Month".
BACKGROUND: National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family
and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. The focus of this year's
Preparedness Month is on empowering Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander
communities to act today to prepare for future risks and disasters.
North Carolina continues to experience an unusually high volume of disasters, to include severe
weather, flooding events, and extreme temperatures. So far this year, Orange County has
experienced multiple watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service for severe
weather and flooding. The 2024 Hurricane Season outlook continues to be above normal in
predictions for both severity and frequency of storms.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities face unique barriers when it
comes to accessing disaster preparedness information and resources that take their languages,
experiences, and cultures into consideration. A 2024 Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) survey of households across the country reported that 65% of Asian Americans and 58%
of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders surveyed indicated that they did noy believe taking a step
to prepare would make a difference and were not confident in their ability to prepare. The Asian
American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in Orange County have grown by
over 22% since 2010.
It is critical as a community to work together to ensure that all residents are connected and
prepared to remain resilient in the face of future disasters.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
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ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 6. Provide sustainable, equitable, and high-quality community safety and
emergency services in order to meet the community's evolving needs.
• GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY
OBJECTIVE 5. Increase access to and awareness of resources and assistance available
to residents and businesses.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
September 2024 - "Orange County Preparedness Month"
WHEREAS, it is critical for every community, business, family, and individual in Orange County
to be prepared for natural and man-made disasters, including tornadoes, flooding, and hurricanes,
as well as disease outbreaks like COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, Hurricane Florence brought significant rainfall in September, and was
followed by Tropical Storm Michael in October; both storms causing widespread power outages
and flooding, with Florence resulting in more than $26 million in damages while Michael exceeded
$500,000; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has confirmed three separate tornadoes have
impacted Orange County since 2019; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service issued nineteen Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, five
Flash Flood or Flood Warnings, and one Tornado Warning for Orange County in 2023; and
WHEREAS, year to date, Orange County has already experienced significant severe weather
activity to include twenty-three Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and ten Flash Flood or Flood
Warnings; and
WHEREAS, community members can take a few simple steps — creating an emergency supply
kit, making a family disaster plan, and staying informed — to help make preparedness a personal
priority and improved health a goal in our community; and
WHEREAS, this year's Preparedness Month focus is on empowering Asian American, Native
Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities to act today to prepare for future disasters, as we
know that these communities face unique barriers when it comes to accessing disaster
preparedness information and resources that take their languages, experiences, and cultures into
consideration;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, recognize Orange County
Emergency Services - Emergency Management Division along with emergency managers
throughout the nation, who have collaborated to recognize September as National Preparedness
Month, and the Board joins with them in encouraging Orange County residents to stay informed
and prepared;
FURTHERMORE, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners hereby declares
September 2024 as "Orange County Preparedness Month."
This the 17th Day of September 2024.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners