2005 & 06 Hurricane Season

Our company is based in Florida and so we are only too aware of the destruction hurricanes can cause as well as the need for regular, accurate information before, during and after the storm.

In 2004 after being hit by 3 hurricanes in a 9 week period, we began to put together our emergency warning program to provide up to date information about impending storms and other major emergencies. You Be Aware was born as a response to a public need.

In 2005 YBA provided commentary and vital information to members through hurricanes Dennis, Rita and Wilma all of which made landfall in the US and of course Hurricane Katrina that had such a devastating effect in Louisiana and other southern states. In 2006 we also provided support during hurricanes Alberto and Ernesto as well as the storms that eventually spared the US.

During Katrina we began to provide information about the storm a week prior to it making landfall and updated members of any change in its track or projected .path as they were announced by the National Hurricane Center. In addition to information about the track and strength of Katrina, we also provided our members with precautionary advice such as how to prepare for the storm, what to take with them if they evacuated, and reiterated advice given by local emergency management agencies.

During major hurricanes many people lose power before the eye of the storm has even reached them. This means no TV for information and oftentimes no radio, so the telephone is a vital form of communication. Many people don’t realize that if you have a traditional phone that plugs directly into the telephone jack (not a wireless phone) that this will continue to operate even when the power goes out.

Once Katrina made landfall our members received calls on landlines and cell phones updating them on the position, strength and path of the storm and this vital information continued during the storm and after it had passed.

Understanding the severity of Katrina and the devastation it had caused, members of the You Be Aware team were some of the first volunteers to reach the area to help victims of the storm. Sleeping in tents, our staff helped to clear debris, put tarps on roofs and carried out other essential tasks that allowed families to resume their lives.

First responders claim the first few minutes after a disaster are the most important time to reduce the impact on people and property. Correct information and fast response are of utmost importance when responding to disasters after they occur. However, very little is done to mitigate disasters before their impact and to ensure that families and individuals have access to accurate and timely information. We believe that the information we provide is effective in saving lives and preserving property

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