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3 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> September 2024 - "Orange County Preparedness Month" <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 have <br /> impacted Orange County since 2019; and <br /> WHEREAS, the National Weather Service issued nineteen Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, five <br /> Flash Flood or Flood Warnings, and one Tornado Warning for Orange County in 2023; and <br /> WHEREAS, year to date, Orange County has already experienced significant severe weather <br /> activity to include twenty-three Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and ten Flash Flood or Flood <br /> 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 /> WHEREAS, this year's Preparedness Month focus is on empowering Asian American, Native <br /> Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities to act today to prepare for future disasters, as we <br /> know that these communities face unique barriers when it comes to accessing disaster <br /> preparedness information and resources that take their languages, experiences, and cultures into <br /> consideration; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, recognize Orange County <br /> Emergency Services - Emergency Management Division along with emergency managers <br /> throughout the nation, who have collaborated to recognize September as National Preparedness <br /> Month, and the Board joins with them in encouraging Orange County residents to stay informed <br /> and prepared; <br /> FURTHERMORE, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners hereby declares <br /> September 2024 as "Orange County Preparedness Month." <br /> This the 17th Day of September 2024. <br /> Jamezetta Bedford, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />