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The first named storm of the 2012 Hurricane Season has formed in the Pacific off the coast of Mexico. Tropical Storm Aleta is a small, weak tropical storm which is not expected to pose any threat to land. Florida Baptist Convention Disaster Relief leaders and volunteers are participating in the Florida Governors Hurricane Conference this week in Miami, FL. Other convention Disaster Relief leaders have been training volunteers and preparing to respond when disaster strikes.
Photo right: Satellite image of Tropical Storm Aleta. (NASA image)
Is your family prepared to survive a hurricane or other disaster. Now is the time to prepare. Find resources to help your family prepare.
SBDR Preparedness Resources
More resources to help you prepare to survive and recover from a hurricane and other disasters,
.What you need in a disaster supply kit..
2012 SEASONAL HURRICANE FORECAST FOR THE ATLANTIC BASIN
Dr. William Gray and Dr. Philip Klotzbach of the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University released their 2012 Hurricane Season storm predictions last week. The numbers indicate a less than normal activity this year. The potential landfall of a category 3, 4, or 5 storm along the east coast of the United States including all of the Florida penisula is estimated to be 24% probability. The average probability of landfall in this region over the past century has been 31%. Read their entire report. (this is a pdf format file)
2012 Hurricane Season Predictions
Named Storms 10
Hurricanes 4
Major Hurricanes 2
Even with these lower that average predictions Disaster Relief leaders and first responders remind us that it only takes one to make landfall to cause damage and potential loss of life. Make your preparations now so that when a storm heads your way you are ready to protect your family and your property.
Make preparations now!
Many Baptist conventions are holding training for Disaster Relief volunteers in the next few weeks. It is the season of the year when many focus on training and preparation. Find a Disaster Relief training event in your state so that when the call comes for help from people and communities hit by a disaster you will be ready to respond to God's call to minister. Trainings are listed in the DR Update and on state convention websites.
Lessons Learned From 2011 Disaster Responses
FEMA Administrator, Craig Fugate, recently reflected on 2011 and the number and variety of disasters we experienced. From the massive snowfalls that lead to spring flooding, fires that raged in several states, the deadliest tornado outbreak in the US since the 1950s, the third busiest tropical season on record including Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, to the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan and a smaller quake that shook the eastern US from Virginia to New York damaging the Washington Monument and other structures. From this reflection Fugate articulated three lessons learned.
- Not all disasters come with warnings - we all need to be ready.
- We cannot underestimate the importance of the entire team - government, business, non-profit, the faith community, and the public.
- We must prepare for worst-case scenarios - we need to get serious in planning for incidents that involve significant loss of life, and damage to property and infrastructure.
Read the entire article.
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