“Get Ready 2007,” Senator Lanza Announces Hurricane Preparedness Initiative

Senator Andrew Lanza (Staten Island) today announced a partnership with the American Red Cross, South Beach Civic CERT, Pathmark, Stop & Shop, Shop Rite and Waldbaum’s to help educate residents on how to prepare their homes should a hurricane strike our area. As we enter the peak of the 2007 hurricane season, the group met at New York City’s only disaster response supply trailer at the Michael J. Petrides Educational Complex. The Petrides School is one of five hurricane evacuation centers on Staten Island.

Senator Lanza, who provided $15,000 in funding for the emergency response trailer at the Petrides Complex, while in the City Council, said, "Last month’s natural disaster showed us that it’s more important than ever for families across Staten Island and New York City to be prepared in case of emergencies. During this year’s hurricane season, residents most vulnerable have to be aware of what they can do to ‘weather the storm’." The Petrides School is one of five hurricane evacuation centers on Staten Island.

Lanza’s office will also be supplying local supermarkets with his Get Ready! Hurricane Preparedness brochure to distribute free to shoppers and residents and educate them about the everyday items they should have in their home in case of a disaster.

Senator Lanza says being prepared is your best line of defense in case of an emergency. "Through this new public outreach initiative, supermarkets across Staten Island will be providing valuable information to customers on what they can do to prepare for an emergency and how to better protect themselves and their families from the unexpected." Lanza explained. "A few things residents can do are develop a household disaster plan, assemble an emergency supply kit and put together a ‘go bag’. Residents should also be aware of their closest emergency evacuation route and shelter. "Ready New York" and my office are making all of this information available today at a local Stop & Shop, Pathmark, Waldbaum’s or Shop Rite, or directly from my office." Lanza said.

After a hurricane warning is issued many residents rush to their local supermarket to stock up on necessities that would carry a family through days or weeks without power. Senator Lanza’s Get Ready! Brochure informs residents about items to keep handy in the house this time of year such as water, nonperishable foods, flashlights with extra batteries, first aid supplies, medications and other family needs.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is projecting a 75 percent chance that the Atlantic hurricane season will be above normal this year. For 2007, NOAA scientists predict 13 to 17 named storms, with 7 to 10 becoming hurricanes. Of those, 3 to 5 could become major hurricanes Category 3 or higher. With expectations for an active season, it is critically important that residents are prepared.

"We appreciate Senator Lanza’s efforts to help New Yorkers get ready for whatever may come our way this hurricane season. Being prepared before a hurricane hits is the best thing any New Yorker can do," said Theresa A. Bischoff, CEO of the American Red Cross in Greater New York.  "We urge everyone to take three actions that can make a big difference in case of a hurricane or other emergency: Get a kit, make a plan and be informed. More information is available at www.nyredcross.org"

"After two years with the memory of Katrina and one of the worst hurricane seasons in recent memory emblazoned upon our national psyche, it is critical for all residents in Staten Island and other coastal areas to be best-prepared for the hurricane season in anticipation of the worst. Stop & Shop in a responsible, pro-active civic commitment is pleased to be a partner in this hurricane preparedness initiative." Said Faith Weiner, Director, Public Affairs for The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company,  

"We salute Senator Lanza’s initiative to ensure the safety of our neighbors in the event of weather extremes, and are happy to participate in this effort," said Richard P. De Santa, senior director of corporate affairs for the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., operator of Waldbaum’s.  "We urge not only our customers, but those of all participating retailers, to look for the ‘Get Ready’ hurricane preparedness brochures we will have available in our stores."

"Pathmark is pleased to partner with Senator Lanza and the Senate Majority Regional Office to distribute important information to Staten Island residents as well as all people living in New York City as it relates to hurricane and emergency preparedness. This is our second year in collaborating to bring important and useful tips to consumers in the metropolitan area on things they need to know should an emergency arise. We look forward to continue playing an important role in the dissemination of the brochures in the future," stated Rich Savner, Pathmark's Director of Public Affairs.

For a copy of the Get Ready! Hurricane Preparedness brochure, you may also contact Senator Lanza’s office at (718) 984-4703 or see a more extensive emergency preparation list on his web site at SENATORLANZA.COM.