# 7574
Ten weeks into the 2013 Atlantic Tropical season and we are starting to see signs of increased activity, with a new tropical storm (Erin) far out in the Atlantic, and an area of disturbed weather with a high probability of development closer to home.
Last week both NOAA and Dr. William Gray reiterated their forecasts for a busy remainder of the tropical season (see NOAA: Above Average Atlantic Hurricane Season Still Expected).
Erin, a Cape Verde storm, is forecast to maintain its westerly motion for the next five days, and could pose a threat to the Caribbean late next week.
The disturbance in the western Caribbean is expected to move into the southern Gulf of Mexico, and has a greater than 50/50 chance of becoming a tropical storm over the next few days.
Regardless of how these two systems play out, we’ve still got 3-1/2 months of Hurricane season ahead of us.
Which is why, in a little over two weeks – AFD - along with thousands of other coalition members, will devote a good deal of time and attention to Ready.gov & Fema’s annual National Preparedness Month; urging individual, family, community and business preparedness efforts.
As you can see by the chart above, the number of coalition members has quadrupled since 2010.
Members consist of individuals, organizations, and businesses . . . and you are encouraged to join as well.
For those who equate prepping with sensationalized cable TV `Doomsday-type’ preppers, allow me to reassure you that you needn’t dig a bunker, accumulate a small armory, or lay in a 20 year’s worth of freeze-dried food in order to be prepared.
Basic Preps: Emergency Weather Radio, First Aid Kit, Battery Lantern, Water storage – Add some food (3-10 day supply), and an emergency plan, and you are well on your way to being prepared.
The goal of NPM2013 is to foster a culture of national preparedness, and to encourage everyone to plan and be prepared to deal with an event where they can go at least three days without electricity, running water, local services, or access to a supermarket.
These are, of course, minimum goals.
The disruptions following hurricanes, tornado outbreaks, floods, and other natural disasters can potentially last for days or even weeks, and so – if you are able to do so - being prepared for 10 days to 2 weeks makes a good deal of sense (see When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough).
As a Floridian, my preparedness plans are somewhat hurricane-centric, as these massive storms provide the most likely disaster scenario for my area. But my disaster plans are appropriate for other disaster scenarios as well.
In addition to being prepared to shelter-in-place for up to two weeks, I have a network of trusted disaster buddies to whom I can turn in an emergency (as can they to me), several pre-arranged evacuation destinations should I need to `get out of Dodge’, and a 72-hour bug-out bag I can grab at a moment’s notice.
My Bug-out-bag, Canteen, & Toiletry kit
I also keep an overnight bag, and a fully equipped first aid kit, in the trunk of my car . . . just in case (see Inside My Auto First Aid Kit).
While the federal government will respond during any major disaster, they know it may take days or longer to reach everyone and to restore essential services. Which is why they encourage all individuals, families, business owners, and communities to become better prepared to deal with all types of disasters.
I would invite you visit the following preparedness sites.
FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm
READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/
AMERICAN RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org/
If you are on Twitter, I would recommend you follow @FEMA, @CraigatFEMA, @NHC_Atlantic, @NHC_Pacific and @ReadyGov.
And finally, a few of my own preparedness articles include:
In An Emergency, Who Has Your Back?
