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4 <br /> 1 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> 2 <br /> 3 a. Orange County Preparedness Month Proclamation <br /> 4 The Board approved a proclamation declaring September 2023 as"Orange County Preparedness <br /> 5 Month". <br /> 6 <br /> 7 BACKGROUND: National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family <br /> 8 and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. The theme of this year's National <br /> 9 Preparedness Month is "Preparing for Older Adults." <br /> 10 <br /> 11 North Carolina continues to experience an unusually high volume of disasters, including severe <br /> 12 weather, flooding events, and extreme temperatures. So far this year, Orange County has <br /> 13 experienced multiple watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service for severe <br /> 14 weather and flooding. The 2023 Hurricane Season continues to be above normal in predictions <br /> 15 for both severity and frequency of storms. <br /> 16 <br /> 17 Older adults can face greater risks when it comes to the multitude of extreme weather events and <br /> 18 emergencies communities face, especially if they are living alone, are low-income, have a <br /> 19 disability, or live in rural areas. <br /> 20 <br /> 21 It is critical that as a community, everyone works together to ensure that people are connected <br /> 22 and prepared to remain resilient in the face of future disasters. <br /> 23 <br /> 24 Commissioner Hamilton read the following proclamation: <br /> 25 <br /> 26 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 27 PROCLAMATION <br /> 28 September 2023 - "Orange County Preparedness Month" <br /> 29 Theme— "Preparing for Older Adults" <br /> 30 <br /> 31 WHEREAS, it is critical for every community, business, family, and individual in Orange County <br /> 32 to be prepared for natural and man-made disasters, including tornadoes, flooding, and hurricanes, <br /> 33 as well as disease outbreaks like COVID-19; and <br /> 34 <br /> 35 WHEREAS, in 2018, Hurricane Florence brought significant rainfall in September, and was <br /> 36 followed by Tropical Storm Michael in October; both storms causing widespread power outages <br /> 37 and flooding, with Florence resulting in more than $26 million in damages while Michael exceeded <br /> 38 $500,000; and <br /> 39 <br /> 40 WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has confirmed three separate tornadoes that have <br /> 41 impacted Orange County since 2019; and <br /> 42 <br /> 43 WHEREAS, the National Weather Service issued thirty-seven Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, <br /> 44 seven Flash Flood Warnings, and two Tornado Warnings for Orange County in 2022; and <br /> 45 <br /> 46 WHEREAS, year to date, Orange County has already experienced significant severe weather <br /> 47 activity to include sixteen Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and three Flash Flood Warnings; and <br /> 48 <br /> 49 WHEREAS, community members can take a few simple steps — creating an emergency supply <br /> 50 kit, making a family disaster plan, and staying informed —to help make preparedness a personal <br /> 51 priority and improved health a goal in our community; and <br />