Assembly Resolution No. 616

BY: M. of A. Williams

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to declare
June 2023, as North American Hurricane Awareness
Month in the State of New York, at the start of the
Atlantic hurricane season

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to declare June 2023, as North American Hurricane
Awareness Month in the State of New York, at the start of the Atlantic
hurricane season; and

WHEREAS, The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to
November 30th; and

WHEREAS, National Weather Service defines a hurricane as an intense
tropical weather system with well-defined circulation and sustained
winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher; and

WHEREAS, The category scale of 1-5 estimates potential property
damage, where a category 3 or higher is considered a major hurricane; as
the wind speed and intensity of a storm increases, the category number
increases; and

WHEREAS, Hurricanes can pose a significant threat to many
communities; the damage and trauma sustained from Hurricane Sandy was
the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic
hurricane season in New York; and

WHEREAS, There are four stages of hurricane development: tropical
disturbance, tropical depression, tropical storm, tropical cyclone
(hurricane); and

WHEREAS, Tropical disturbance is defined when cloud columns develop
into a cluster of thunderstorms; tropical depression is when
thunderstorms intensify, with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph; and
tropical storm is when maximum sustained winds are between 39-73 mph;
during this time, the storm becomes more circular in shape, with winds
swirling around a calm center, known as the eye; this is when the storm
is named; and

WHEREAS, Tropical cyclone, or hurricane, is when wind speeds reach
74 mph and the storm is at least 50,000 feet high and 125 miles across,
rotating around an eye that spans 5-30 miles wide; and

WHEREAS, The National Hurricane Center strongly advises hurricane
preparedness and that it begins at home; and

WHEREAS, For many people, hurricane preparedness is not at the top
of their to-do list; most families have to juggle multiple, competing
priorities; the Red Cross believes preparedness matters because it saves
lives; and

WHEREAS, Hurricanes are life-threatening storms; they can bring
heavy rains that cause major flooding, destructive winds that down power

lines, uproot trees and damage homes, and storm surges that travel
several miles inland destroying everything in its path; and

WHEREAS, Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a
hurricane; families and individuals should build an emergency kit and
create an evacuation plan for their household; and

WHEREAS, A vital emergency kit should be equipped with the proper
supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster; at a
minimum, you should have the basic supplies, including: water, food,
flashlight, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra batteries, first
aid kit, medications and medical items, multi-purpose tool, sanitation
and personal hygiene items, copies of personal documents, cell phone
with chargers, family and emergency contact information, extra cash,
emergency blanket, and map(s) of the area; and

WHEREAS, An effective evacuation plan has three steps and begins
with a family discussion on how to prepare and respond to all types of
emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, work, and
play; and

WHEREAS, Step two is to identify responsibilities for each member of
your household and how you will work together as a team if disaster
strikes; and the final step includes practicing as many elements of your
plan as possible; and

WHEREAS, As hurricane season approaches, it is also important to
know the difference between the threat levels; a hurricane watch
indicates the possibility that a region could experience hurricane
conditions within 48 hours; and a hurricane warning indicates that
sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 36 hours; get
ready to act if a warning is issued and stay informed; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to declare June 2023, as North
American Hurricane Awareness Month in the State of New York, at the
start of the Atlantic hurricane season; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.