The Vicksburg District Prepares for 2013 Hurricane Season

By Kavanaugh BreazealeMay 29, 2013

Vicksburg, Miss -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center forecasts a "busy" hurricane season for 2013. NOAA states that higher than normal water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa will see an increase in the number and severity of hurricanes this season. Hurricane season begins 1 June and ends 30 November with the peak threat period starting in mid-August and going through October.

With the forecast predicting 16 named storms and 4 of those expected to be major hurricanes, it is important to have a hurricane preparedness plan and a disaster supply kit in place.

Flooding from hurricanes can be more destructive than the high winds seen during landfall. Flood insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect, so the time to prepare is now.

Last week, the Vicksburg District conducted a hurricane preparedness drill. The district ran a series of planning exercises to communicate the role of each office before, during and in the aftermath of a hurricane landfall. The Vicksburg District is responsible for Federal Emergency Management Agency directed missions for the Mississippi Gulf coast during a hurricane response. Typical missions may include debris removal, temporary roofing and providing temporary public structures.

Also, visit www.ready.gov for information on a disaster supply kit and www.floodsmart.gov for more information on flood insurance.

Every year, the Vicksburg District deploys volunteer employees to disasters within the District's area of operation and around the nation. This is a part of the federal government's unified national response to natural disasters. For more information, visit: http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/EmergencyOperationsOffice.aspx

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