FEMA Stresses Importance of Preparedness As Subtropical Storm Alberto Approaches

WASHINGTON, May 25 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), urges all residents, business, and visitors to the interior Gulf Coast this Memorial Day weekend, to monitor this storm and prepare for an incoming tropical weather. Be aware of your risk, take preparedness actions now, and follow all instructions from state, local, and tribal officials.

Subtropical Storm Alberto is the first tropical system of the year and will arrive just ahead of the official start of the 2018 Hurricane Season which runs each year from June 1 to November 30.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its headquarters in Washington, D.C., and regional offices in Atlanta, Georgia, and Denton, Texas, is actively monitoring the developing track and potential impacts this weekend. FEMA and its federal partners are closely coordinating with state, local, and tribal officials on preparations and planning ahead of the storm. FEMA is prepared to coordinate any state requests for assistance or activate any needed federal partners to provide potential emergency support.

History shows that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly. Residents, businesses, and visitors to the Gulf Region are urged to monitor local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information and to follow all instructions by state, local, and tribal officials.

Communities along the inland Gulf coast states should prepare for potential coastal flooding and dangerous rip tides. If you are heading out of town for the long weekend, take preparedness actions now to maintain the safety of your home or business while away. Visit Ready.gov for additional preparedness actions you can take today.

Get Prepared:

* Know your evacuation zones and have a family communication plan so your family members know what to do and how to let each other know you are safe. Create and test a Family Communications Plan.

* Document and insure your property to prepare the necessary financial resources to help you repair, rebuild, or replace whatever is damaged.

* Strengthen your financial preparedness by collecting and securing personal financial, insurance, medical, and other records.

* Get trained because you could be the one to help others until help arrives

For flood risk:

* Never drive through flooded roads or highway dips. Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

* A Flood Watch or Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flood or flash flood in the watch area.

* A Flood Warning or Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is occurring now in the warned area.

* A Flash Flood Emergency is issued when an urgent, severe threat to human life or catastrophic damage from a flash flood is underway.

In coastal areas:

* A Coastal Flood Watch is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is possible.

* A Coastal Flood Warning is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring now.

For tropical storms:

* A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least 39 MPH are possible within the next 48 hours.

* A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds at least 39 MPH are expected within the next 36 hours.

At landfall, tropical weather systems may form tornados. If you are in a tornado warned area, seek shelter indoors immediately. Go to the center of a small interior room (closet, interior hallway, interior bathroom) on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside as possible.

To learn more about hurricanes and tropical weather, visit the National Weather Service's Hurricane Preparedness Week website: https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness

FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

Stay informed of FEMA's activities online: download the FEMA app, find videos and www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.