Emergency Preparedness Encouraged This Month with New Tools

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Pennsylvania Insurance Department are encouraging citizens to take steps to prepare for emergencies and ensure that their homes, businesses, and possessions are adequately insured.

September is also when Pennsylvania experiences a higher risk of flooding due to hurricane and tropical storm activity in the Northeast this time of year.

PEMA is encouraging citizens to get involved and take additional steps to prepare for this and all emergencies by participating in September’s Ready, Set, and Check! event as part of NPM.

Acting Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys is urging homeowners to prepare for potential storm events by purchasing flood insurance to cover their homes and businesses. Most standard homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies do not cover damages caused by flooding.

Flood insurance policies can be purchased through both the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the rapidly growing private market, regardless of whether you live in a designated flood zone.

This year’s theme for NPM is, “A Lasting Legacy. The life you’ve built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family.” The goal of NPM is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, businesses, school, and places of worship.

Anyone who wants to participate can register to get simple – yet important – steps to get started and track progress with the Ready, Set and Check! card. At the end of the month, participants will have the opportunity to fill out a brief survey about their experience and be entered into a random drawing to win a Ready PA Preparedness Starter Kit.

PEMA Director Randy Padfield said there are simple, low or no-cost steps you can take now to prepare for emergencies and protect everyone you love:

• Create a family emergency plan so loved ones know who to contact and where to go in an emergency;

• Sign up for weather alerts;

• Know how to safely turn off utilities in and around your home; and

• Sign up for the Ready PA monthly newsletter for additional preparedness tips throughout the year.

The Insurance Department will be hosting a roadshow throughout September in honor of National Preparedness Month with educational events across the commonwealth to highlight the importance of purchasing flood insurance and navigating the aftermath of severe-weather flooding events.

More information about how to prepare for an emergency, including specific information for people with access and functional needs or pets, is available on the Ready PA website.