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24 <br /> National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community <br /> disaster planning now and throughout the year. The theme of this year's National Preparedness <br /> Month is "Disasters Don't Wait. Make your plan today." <br /> North Carolina has experienced an unusually high volume of disasters this year, to include the <br /> ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes. To date, Orange <br /> County has experienced over 30 watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service <br /> for severe weather, flooding, and tornadic activity. The Orange County Emergency Operations <br /> Center (EOC) has set records for activation length this year at well over 200 days. The EOC <br /> remains activated to respond to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic as well as monitor for <br /> potential threats from the 2020 hurricane season, which is predicted to be extremely active. <br /> Sarah Pickhardt read the proclamation. <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> Orange County Preparedness Month <br /> September 2020 <br /> WHEREAS, it is critical for every community, business, family, and individual in Orange County <br /> to be prepared for natural and man-made disasters, including tornadoes, flooding, and <br /> hurricanes, as well as disease outbreaks like COVID-19; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County has seen a high activity of severe weather during 2019, with the <br /> National Weather Service issuing 23 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, two Flash Flood <br /> Warnings, one Flood Warning, and eight Tornado Warnings; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County experienced an estimated $2.1 million in estimated damages from <br /> severe weather in 2019; and <br /> WHEREAS, in 2018, Hurricane Florence brought significant rainfall in September, followed by <br /> Tropical Storm Michael in October, and both storms caused widespread power outages and <br /> flooding, with Florence resulting in more than $26 million in damages while Michael exceeded <br /> $500,000; and <br /> WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners declared a <br /> State of Emergency to coordinate the County's response and protective actions to address the <br /> COVID-19 public health emergency and provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the <br /> Orange County community; and <br /> WHEREAS, community members can take a few simple steps— creating an emergency supply <br /> kit, making a family disaster plan, and staying informed —to help make preparedness a personal <br /> responsibility and improved health a priority in our community; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County Emergency Services Emergency Management Division, along with <br /> emergency managers throughout the nation, have collaborated to recognize September as <br /> National Preparedness Month, and encourage Orange County community members to stay <br /> informed and prepared; <br />