Majority of Americans are not ready to handle a natural disaster

Tips to help your family be prepared

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With tornadoes, mudslides, hurricanes and wildfires making headlines these days, a surprising reality is that 70 percent of Americans are not as ready as they should be for a natural disaster.

Gwen Camp with the Federal Emergency Management Agency said that almost three-quarters of Americans "have not taken part in a preparedness drill or exercise."

That's why FEMA is launching a new campaign called "America's PrepareAthon!"  It's a nationwide, community-based effort to increase emergency preparedness and resilience.

Camp told Bruce Hamilton on "The Morning Show" the goal is to increase the number of individuals who understand which disasters could happen in their community; know what to do to stay safe and limit damage; and to take action to increase preparedness.

If you want to find out more about the campaign and the best way to protect you and your family, go to www.ready.gov/prepare.


About the Author:

This Emmy Award-winning television, radio and newspaper journalist has anchored The Morning Show for 18 years.