SEMO DIRECTOR SAYS BE PREPARED FOR HURRICANE SEASON

Issued By: New York State Emergency Management Office Issued On: 5/23/08 9:15 AM Affected Jurisdictions: New York State

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The State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) today advised New Yorkers to review their family emergency plans and
check their cache of home emergency supplies as preparation for the 2008 hurricane and coastal storm season.

“While New York State has not recently experienced the devastation that these storms cause, we need to be prepared
as individuals and as a State for the eventuality,” John R. Gibb, Director of SEMO, said. “Hurricanes and coastal
storms are a threat not only to New York State’s coastal communities but the entire state.”

Governor David A. Paterson also urged residents across the State to begin taking simple, common-sense steps and
proclaimed May 25 through May 31 as Hurricane Preparedness Week in the Empire State.

“The chief responsibility of government is to protect the citizens, communities and economic vitality of our State
and Nation – and individuals must share a burden of that responsibility,” Governor Paterson said. “Therefore, it is
imperative that citizens take the time now to be prepared before storm warnings are posted by reviewing their
emergency plans at home and at work to ensure their safety and that of their loved ones.”

Traditionally, the Atlantic hurricane/coastal storm season in the Empire State is from June 1 through November 30.
While predominantly coastal storms, in the past these devastating storms have impacted areas of the State hundreds
of miles from the ocean.

“While State and local governments continue to work on their preparedness and response capabilities,” Gibb said,
“each of us has a responsibility to develop and practice plans to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our
property.”

Gibb said that a community’s level of preparedness begins with the individual.

“We encourage New Yorkers to know what they and their families should do in the event of a storm or an emergency,
and that includes having emergencies supplies on hand such as flashlights and batteries, and water and canned
goods.”

New Yorkers also should be continuously aware of weather conditions and are urged to monitor broadcasts from their
local radio and television stations or NOAA Weather Radio.

“You need to have accurate information to protect yourself and your loved ones, and the best way to get emergency
information is by subscribing to NY-ALERT, the State’s all-hazards alert and notification system,” Gibb said. To
subscribe to this free, web-based system, visit www.nyalert.gov ("http://www.nyalert.gov/") .

SEMO, the emergency management offices of New York City, and Nassau and Suffolk counties, and the Long Island Power
Authority and KeySpan Corp, are sponsoring the 15th annual Long Island-New York City Emergency Management
Conference. Scheduled May 28-29 at the Hilton Long Island Hotel in Melville, the conference entitled “No Man Is an
Island: Disaster Survival Through Regional Support” will explore a wide range of topics including coping with
natural disasters, bridge and infrastructure destruction, and campus school safety.

“As a State, we are doing everything possible to ensure that our response capabilities are as robust as possible,”
Gibb said.

To enhance preparedness for the upcoming season, federal, State and local agencies will be participating in a
multi-jurisdiction functional exercise called “Empire Express” beginning May 30 and running through June 5. State
agencies will be participating in a series of conference calls as well as the 3-day activation of the State
Emergency Operations Center in Albany. Also participating in the exercise are agencies from New York City, Nassau,
Suffolk, and Westchester counties, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard, the federal
Environmental Protection Agency and the National Weather Service.

Before the start of the hurricane season, the SEMO Director urged New Yorkers to:
 
   •  Develop or review a household disaster plan. Know how to contact all family members at all times. Identify an
      out-of-town friend or family member to be the “emergency family contact.” Then make certain all family members have
      that number. Designate a family emergency meeting point, some familiar location where the family can meet in the
      event the home is inaccessible.

   •  Prepare an emergency phone list of people and organizations that may need to be called., including schools,
      doctors, child/senior care providers, and insurance agents.

   •  Ensure that enough non-perishable food and water supplies are on hand. Make sure battery-operated radios and
      flashlights are available and have an ample supply of batteries. Have a first aid kit available and an ample supply
      of medicines on hand for those who require it.

   •  Know the hurricane / storm risks in their areas, and learn the storm surge history.

   •  Learn their community’s warning signals and evacuation plans.

   •  Make arrangements on where to relocate pets during a storm.

The SEMO Director also advised individuals with special needs or requiring more information to contact their local
emergency management office.

For more information on hurricane preparedness and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit the
SEMO website at www.semo.state.ny.us. ("http://www.semo.state.ny.us./")

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