Supporting the goals and ideals of National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

Whereas the Atlantic and central Pacific hurricane season begins June 1, 2022, and ends November 30, 2022, and the eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15, 2022, through November 30, 2022; Whereas an average of 14 tropical storms develop per year over the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, and an average of 7 of these storms become hurricanes; Whereas in an average 3-year period, roughly 5 hurricanes strike the coastlines of the United States, which can result in multiple deaths, and 40 percent of which are typically labeled major intense Whereas millions of Americans face great risks from tropical storms and hurricanes, as 50 percent of Americans live along the coast and millions of tourists visit the oceans each year; Whereas the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season was the 3rd most active on record, included 21 named storms, consisting of 7 hurricanes, 4 of which were category 3 or higher, and 8 storms made landfall in the United States; Whereas during a hurricane, homes, businesses, public buildings, and infrastructure may be damaged or destroyed by heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge; Whereas damage from a hurricane is usually substantial, as 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 and the National Weather Service agree that it is critical for all people to know if they live in an area prone to hurricanes, to figure out their home’s vulnerability in the event of a storm surge, flooding, and heavy winds, and to develop a written family disaster plan based on this knowledge; Whereas between 1963–2012, inland flooding was responsible for a quarter of deaths associated with tropical storms and hurricanes in the United States; Whereas the National Weather Service recommends that when a hurricane threatens the United States, people in potential flood zones evacuate if told to do so, keep abreast of road conditions through the news media, move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood water, develop a flood emergency action plan, and do not attempt to cross flowing water in an automobile, because as little as 6 inches of water may cause one to lose control of the vehicle; Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides more detailed information about hurricanes and hurricane preparedness via its website, https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness; and Whereas National Hurricane Preparedness Week will be the week of May 1 through May 7, 2022: Now, therefore, be it 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 the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center, and other appropriate Federal agencies, to continue their outstanding work of educating 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 in forecasting hurricanes and educating citizens about the potential risks of these storms.

Summary: This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Hurricane Preparedness Week.