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4 <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> a. Orange County Preparedness Month Proclamation <br /> The Board approved a proclamation declaring September 2023 as"Orange County Preparedness <br /> Month". <br /> BACKGROUND: National Preparedness Month is recognized each Septemberto promote family <br /> and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. The theme of this year's National <br /> Preparedness Month is "Preparing for Older Adults." <br /> North Carolina continues to experience an unusually high volume of disasters, including severe <br /> weather, flooding events, and extreme temperatures. So far this year, Orange County has <br /> experienced multiple watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service for severe <br /> weather and flooding. The 2023 Hurricane Season continues to be above normal in predictions <br /> for both severity and frequency of storms. <br /> Older adults can face greater risks when it comes to the multitude of extreme weather events and <br /> emergencies communities face, especially if they are living alone, are low-income, have a <br /> disability, or live in rural areas. <br /> It is critical that as a community, everyone works together to ensure that people are connected <br /> and prepared to remain resilient in the face of future disasters. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton read the following proclamation: <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> September 2023 - "Orange County Preparedness Month" <br /> Theme — "Preparing for Older Adults" <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 hurricanes, <br /> as well as disease outbreaks like COVID-19; and <br /> WHEREAS, in 2018, Hurricane Florence brought significant rainfall in September, and was <br /> followed by Tropical Storm Michael in October; both storms causing widespread power outages <br /> and flooding, with Florence resulting in more than $26 million in damages while Michael exceeded <br /> $500,000; and <br /> WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has confirmed three separate tornadoes that have <br /> impacted Orange County since 2019; and <br /> WHEREAS, the National Weather Service issued thirty-seven Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, <br /> seven Flash Flood Warnings, and two Tornado Warnings for Orange County in 2022; and <br /> WHEREAS, year to date, Orange County has already experienced significant severe weather <br /> activity to include sixteen Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and three Flash Flood Warnings; 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 /> priority and improved health a goal in our community; and <br />