FEMA: Week in Review Louisiana Recovery Office New Orleans, LA May 25, 2012 Announcements 2012 National Preparedness Week Pledge May 27-June 2 is Hurricane Preparedness Week. Join thousands around the country who are pledging to be a “Force of Nature” by taking action to pre- pare for hurricane season, which begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. Knowing your risk: The first step to Being a Force of Nature is to under- stand how hurricanes and tropical storms can affect where you live and work and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly and sign up for local alerts from emergency management officials and obtain a NOAA Weather Radio. Taking action: Actions can be small, simple and quick. You can pledge to develop an emergency plan based on your local hurricane, severe storm and flooding hazard, and practice how and where you will evacuate if instructed by your emergency management officials. Post your plan in your home where visitors can see it. Learn how to strengthen your home and business against hurricanes. Download FEMA’s mobile app so you can access impor- tant safety tips on what to do before, during and after a hurricane. Under- stand the National Hurricane Center warning and alerts. Being an example: Once you have taken action and pledged (or if you al- ready have), share your story with your family and friends. Create a YouTube video, post your story on Facebook, comment on a blog or send a tweet. Or you can even post the Be a Force of Nature widget on your social media pro- files. Join us today and pledge to prepare during National Hurricane Preparedness Week. Recovery Programs Transitioning to Region 6 in June The Louisiana Recovery Office will begin consolidating and transitioning re- covery programs for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike in June. The following programs will be consolidated in Baton Rouge and will report directly to FEMA Region VI in Denton, Texas. Hazard Mitigation (Traditional HMGP and New Allocations) for hurri- canes Katrina (DR 1603), Rita (DR 1607), Gustav (DR 1786) and Ike (DR 1792) Public Assistance projects for Gustav (DR 1786) and Ike (DR 1792) Public Assistance projects for hurricanes Katrina (DR 1603) and Rita (DR 1607) will continue to be coordinated through the Louisiana Recovery Office. LEARN ABOUT IT! Hurricane Preparedness Week at the National Hurricane Center http://www.hurricanes.gov/prepare May 27: Hurricane Basics May 28: Storm Surge May 29: Wind May 30: Inland Flooding May 31: Forecast Process June 1: Get a Plan June 2: After the Storm www.Ready.gov Calendar May 26-27: Sales tax holiday for hurricane preparedness items May 27-Jun. 2: Hurricane Preparedness Week 2012 May 28: National Memorial Day Observance May 29: SBA Hurricane Forecast and Preparedness Webinar from 1:00 to 2:00 pm CDT June 1: Official Start of 2012 Hurricane Season June 6-8: Gulf States Hurri- cane Conference, Biloxi, Miss. June 3-7: 15th Annual Emer- gency Management Higher Education Conference, Em- mitsburg, Md. June 6: Chicago All Hazards-All Stakeholders Summit 2012, Chicago, Ill. Housing Update Gustav/Ike: 1 unit Contacts News Desk: (504) 762-2477 External Affairs Director, Andrea Davis: (504) 247-6628 / Andrea.Davis1@fema.dhs.gov Outreach Lead, Amy Connolly: (225) 678-6673 / Amy.Connolly@fema.dhs.gov