Mayor Bowser Meets with Senior Administration Staff in Preparation for Hurricane Florence

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser held meetings and conference calls with top agency and administration officials in preparation for Hurricane Florence and the expected heavy rains and wind activity to hit the District later this week. She is encouraging individuals, households, businesses, and non-profit organizations in Washington, DC to begin preparing for the event. DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) is the central coordinating agency on the District’s overall response to potential impacts to Washingtonians.

“While we are monitoring potential impacts of Hurricane Florence on the District, we remain committed to keeping our residents safe, prepared, and informed,” said Mayor Bowser. “I encourage all District residents and visitors to take this storm seriously and stay up to date on the latest emergency information, including signing up for our AlertDC messaging service.”

HSEMA is coordinating with several District agencies along with key regional and federal partners regarding the necessary actions needed as Hurricane Florence’s path becomes more defined.

Mayor Bowser advises that District residents and visitors should:

• Encourage family and friends in the storm’s path to listen to officials and have a plan on how you will communicate once the storm passes.
• Replenish your emergency supply kit, especially if you have dietary or medical needs. For a list of items you need, visit ready.dc.gov/kit.
• If you have access and/or functional needs, take steps to prepare in advance, including informing your support network of your emergency supplies and planning for your critical needs, such as transportation, power, and communications.
• Sign up for alerts at alertdc.dc.gov. AlertDC is your personal connection to real-time updates and instructions to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your neighborhood.
• Monitor local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information.
• Follow HSEMA’s Twitter and Facebook for updated information from the District on potential impacts.