H. Res. 402

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

May 21, 2007.

Whereas the Atlantic and Central Pacific hurricane season 

begins June 1 and ends November 30, and the East Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 through November 30; 

Whereas an average of 11 tropical storms develop per year 

over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of 

Mexico and an average of 6 of these storms become hurricanes; 

Whereas in an average 3-year period roughly 5 hurricanes 

strike the United States coastline, sometimes resulting in 

multiple deaths, with 2 typically being ‘‘major’’ or ‘‘intense’’ category 3 hurricanes, as measured on the SaffirSimpson Hurricane Scale; 

Whereas millions of Americans face great risk from tropical 

storms or hurricanes, because 50 percent of Americans 

live along the coast and millions of tourists visit the 

oceans each year; 

Whereas the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the busiest 

on record and extends the active hurricane cycle that 

began in 1995—a trend experts agree is likely to continue for years to come; 
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Whereas the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season included 28 

named storms, including 15 hurricanes in which 7 were 

category 3 or higher; 

Whereas, during a hurricane, homes, businesses, public buildings, and infrastructure may be damaged or destroyed by 

heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge; debris can 

break windows and doors; roads and bridges can be 

washed away; homes can be flooded; and destructive tornadoes can occur well away from the storm’s center; 

Whereas experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration’s National Hurricane Center in the National Weather Service agree that it is critical to know 

if you live in a hurricane prone area, to know your 

home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, and wind, 

and to develop a written family disaster plan based on 

this knowledge; 

Whereas the National Hurricane Center recommends that 

people in hurricane-prone areas prepare a personal evacuation plan that identifies ahead of time their home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, and wind; the safest 

areas in their home for each hurricane hazard; several 

options of places to go if ordered to evacuate; and the 

telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map 

of the local area; 

Whereas the National Hurricane Center recommends that 

people in hurricane-prone areas assemble a disaster supply kit before hurricane season begins that includes a 

first aid kit and essential medications; canned food and 

can opener; at least three gallons of water per person per 

day for three to seven days; protective clothing, rainwear, 

and bedding or sleeping bags; a battery-powered radio, 

flashlight, and extra batteries; special items (including 
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medications) for infants, elderly, or disabled family members; and written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water in case authorities advise these actions; 

Whereas the National Hurricane Center recommends that 

prior to hurricane season people prepare for high winds 

by installing hurricane shutters or having available precut 

outdoor plywood boards for each window of a home; ensuring they can reinforce garage doors; and making trees 

more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged 

limbs; 

Whereas the National Hurricane Center recommends that 

citizens know that the term ‘‘Hurricane Watch’’ means 

hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of 

the Watch, usually within 36 hours, and that the term 

‘‘Hurricane Warning’’ means hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 24 hours; 

Whereas the National Hurricane Center recommends that 

people know what to do when a Hurricane Watch is 

issued, that is, listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local 

radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information; 

prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations, and anything that can be picked up by the wind; 

prepare to cover all windows of their homes and reinforce 

their garage door; fill their car’s gas tank; recheck manufactured home tie-downs; and recheck their disaster supply kit; 

Whereas the National Hurricane Center recommends that 

people know what to do when a Hurricane Warning is 

issued, that is, listen to the advice of local officials, and 

leave if told to do so; complete preparation activities; if 
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they are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from 

windows; be aware that the calm ‘‘eye’’ is deceptive and 

does not mean the storm is over; and be alert for tornadoes; 

Whereas in the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, inland flooding was responsible for more than half of the deaths associated with 

tropical storms and hurricanes in the United States and 

the National Weather Service recommends that when a 

hurricane threatens the United States, people determine 

whether they live in a potential flood zone; if advised to 

evacuate, do so immediately; keep abreast of road conditions through the news media; move to a safe area before 

access is cut off by flood water; do not attempt to cross 

flowing water because as little as six inches of water may 

cause one to lose control of a vehicle; and develop a flood 

emergency action plan; 

Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides more detailed information about hurricanes 

and hurricane preparedness via its website http://

www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/; and 

Whereas a National Hurricane Preparedness Week will be the 

week of May 20–26, 2007: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Hurricane Preparedness Week; 

(2) encourages the staff of the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration, especially at the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center, and other appropriate Federal agencies, to continue 
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their outstanding work to educate people in the United 

States about hurricane preparedness; and 

(3) urges the people of the United States to recognize such a week as an opportunity to learn more about 

the work of the National Hurricane Center to forecast 

hurricanes and to educate citizens about the potential 

risks associated with hurricanes. 

Attest:

Clerk.