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How to prepare for hurricane season, according to weather experts

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2023

How to prepare for hurricane season, according to weather experts

Hurricane season is here — and with weather conditions becoming more extreme, it’s important to be prepared. While the Atlantic hurricane season typically peaks in September, keeping the Southeast and Gulf Coast on edge, the first major threat of this season is targeting Southern California, where Hurricane Hilary is forecast to dump heavy rain after hitting Mexico.

While different levels of preparedness are needed depending on your location, there are things you can do before you’re impacted by a storm in order to stay safe.

“You want to know what you’re going to do well before the season starts, because it’s going to be hard to get everything in place if you’re threatened by a storm or a storm forms and you don’t have a week to prepare,” says John Moore, a meteorologist and spokesperson for the National Weather Service.

Does this advice apply to you? It’s possible — even if you don’t live on the coast. Hurricane threats can exist for everyone, Moore says, but it’s important to know the level of risk for your area.

“If you live along the coastline anywhere in the United States, you’re at threat of being impacted by tropical storms during hurricane season, so those areas should definitely prepare,” he says. “Also, areas far inland… maybe you live a few 100 miles inland, and you’re not directly impacted, but those streets can definitely be impacted.”

For example, if you live in a flood-prone area or in an area that’s more susceptible to wind damage, you’ll want to take extra precautions.

Here are some steps you can take to prepare.

Develop a hurricane and communication plan

Moore says it’s important to be prepared with a plan for how you’ll navigate hurricane season.

“Creating a communication plan (is) something you can do well before you’re impacted by storm,” he says. “And by that I mean, who are you going to contact if you have to evacuate? Who are you going to pass information along to? Is all your family going to contact the same way if you guys get split up during evacuation?”

And while your hurricane plan may change based on evacuation orders, Moore suggests having a plan in place, including options for where you can travel to. Make sure you have some travel funds set aside. And don’t forget about a plan for your pets, too.

Stock up on disaster supplies

Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering in place, being prepared with necessary items is a must, Moore says. He suggests items you should have on hand include:

Non-perishable foods
Water
Medications
Batteries
Chargers
A radio
Flashlights
Cash

“Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of 3 days,” advises the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, adding that more than a 3-day supply of water is a good idea, if possible.

“Electricity and water could be out for weeks. You may need a portable crank or solar-powered USB charger for your cell phones.”

This checklist on Ready.gov, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, can help you make sure you have everything you need. In addition to the items listed above, it also recommends:

A first aid kit
A whistle (to signal for help)
A dust mask
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
A manual can opener
Plastic sheeting and duct tape
A wrench or pliers

If you have a pet, make sure you’ve got enough food, water and any necessary medicine for them too, along with a pet carrier and items like a leash or litter box.

Prepare your home

“You don’t want to wait until right before a storm makes landfall to strengthen your home,” Moore says. Consider steps like reinforcing gutters and trimming or cutting down trees that may fall during high winds.

“It’s going to be really hard to do (these things) if you’re threatened by a storm in a few days. So you want to get those accomplished pretty early.”

NOAA also suggests installing storm shutters, accordion shutters or impact glass as well as sealing outside wall openings.

“Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand hurricane-force winds. Many retrofits are not as costly or time consuming as you may think,” NOAA’s website advises.

It adds, “If you’re a renter, work with your landlord now to prepare for a storm.”

Stock up on plywood, steel or aluminum panels ahead of time in order to make sure you have them on hand for windows and doors.

And if you’re planning on using a generator for the first time, or if you haven’t used one in a while, make sure you’re doing so safely and test that it works ahead of time.

“We see a lot of deaths after storms from people using generators improperly,” Moore says. “A lot of people die from carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Check in with your insurance

Call your insurance to make sure your house is adequately covered for potential damage. This is something you can do well before hurricane season starts, and especially before a storm forms, Moore says.

Note that homeowner’s and renter’s insurance often doesn’t cover flooding. You may need a separate flood insurance policy.

Moors also advises making sure you have important documents handy but safely stored in case you need them after a storm.

“Take the time before hurricane season begins to document your possessions: photos, serial numbers, or anything else that you may need to provide your insurance company when filing a claim,” NOAA says.

Stay informed on weather updates

Have multiple ways to receive weather information and the latest watches and warnings as we progress through the hurricane season, Moore says.

And with misinformation floating around the internet, he urges people to make sure they rely on “trusted sources of information such as your local media outlets, the National Weather Service’s social media pages and National Weather Services products.”

Related Topics:Featured hurricane Hurricane Season 2023 Tropical Storm

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Biden plans $8bn arms sale to Israel

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1 hour ago

January 4, 2025

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Joe Biden’s administration has provisionally approved $8bn in new weapons for Israel in a last-minute show of support for the US president’s close ally after more than a year of war in Gaza.

The State Department disclosed the sale to Congress late on Friday in what is known as an informal notification, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Such a notification comes before the public announcement of a deal, which will require the approval of the Senate and House Foreign Relations Committees before it can go through.

Axios first reported on the planned sale, which includes $6.75bn in precision guided missiles and small bombs, $300mn in 155mm artillery shells, $600mn in Hellfire missiles and $300mn in Amraam air-to-air missiles, according to one of the people familiar with the matter.

A second person said some of the weapons would come directly from US stocks but many would take a year or more to deliver.

Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 people in the enclave, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel launched the offensive in response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials.

Biden administration officials have vowed to continue to pursue efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza until the end of their term on January 20, but the talks have been stalled for months.

The administration has repeatedly raised concerns with Israel about the humanitarian situation in Gaza but has largely not followed through on threats to withhold weapons.

In November the State Department withdrew a threat to withhold military assistance even after aid deliveries into Gaza fell to record lows, saying it was satisfied that Israel had taken steps to improve the humanitarian situation.

US officials say aid deliveries have improved since then but continue to be insufficient. Aid groups have repeatedly warned that Israel’s offensive has fuelled a humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave, and called for far greater quantities of aid to be delivered.

Biden has said that he supports Israel’s right to defend itself and vowed to supply it with weapons as part of efforts to deter Iran and its proxies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has frequently accused the US of delaying weapons and munitions deliveries, a charge the Biden administration denies.

In November Netanyahu said he had agreed to a ceasefire with Hizbollah in Lebanon in part to help Israeli forces replenish their stocks.

That month the Biden administration informally notified Congress that it planned to give Israel $680mn in precision weapons.

That announcement came after some Democrats in Congress tried and failed to block a $20bn weapons sale to Israel last summer.

Congress approved $26bn in additional wartime aid for Israel in April. That came in addition to the $3.8bn in security assistance the US provides to Israel annually.

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What happens during a presidential funeral and a look back at past funerals

Published

2 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

What happens during a presidential funeral and a look back at past funerals

article

(Original Caption) Billy Graham delivers the sermon at the graveside services for former President Lyndon B. Johnson at the family cemetery on the LBJ Ranch.

ATLANTA – A presidential funeral in the United States is a carefully orchestrated event, blending solemn traditions and heartfelt tributes. It spans several days and includes multiple stages, giving the nation time to mourn and honor its former leader. Here’s an easy-to-follow breakdown of what happens during these historic occasions:

1. The Initial Announcement

When a former president passes away, the sitting president issues an official proclamation to announce their death. Flags are lowered to half-staff across the country for 30 days as a sign of national mourning. The Department of Defense is tasked with organizing a state funeral to honor the late president’s service.

2. Local Ceremonies

Before heading to Washington, D.C., there are usually private ceremonies in the president’s home state or city.

Private Service: Close family and friends gather for a quiet memorial.
Lying in Repose: The president’s body is placed at a significant location, such as a presidential library, where local residents can pay their respects.

3. Washington, D.C. Ceremonies

The capital plays a major role in the state funeral. Here’s what happens:

Arrival in Washington: The president’s remains are flown to D.C., often on a special aircraft designated for this purpose.
Procession Through the City: The casket is transported with military honors, often by a horse-drawn caisson. This symbolic journey reflects the nation’s respect.
Lying in State: The casket is placed in the Capitol Rotunda, where the public can pay their respects. A special platform called the Lincoln Catafalque, first used for Abraham Lincoln, supports the casket.
State Funeral Service: A formal ceremony is held, usually at the Washington National Cathedral, featuring eulogies from notable figures like current and former presidents, hymns, and prayers.

4. The Final Goodbye and Burial

After the ceremonies in Washington, the president’s remains are returned to their chosen burial site, often their hometown or a location of personal significance.

Private Funeral: A smaller, more intimate service is held for family and close friends.
Interment: The president is laid to rest, often with military honors such as a 21-gun salute or a flyover.

Ceremonial Highlights

Throughout the process, several traditions make these funerals uniquely presidential:

Military Honors: Elite honor guards and military bands participate, reflecting the president’s role as commander-in-chief.
21-Gun Salute: This traditional military tribute honors the late president’s service.
Eulogies: Delivered by prominent leaders, these heartfelt tributes celebrate the president’s life and legacy.

A Time for National Mourning

The entire process, from the initial announcement to the burial, typically lasts 7 to 10 days. It allows Americans to grieve collectively, remember the president’s contributions, and reflect on their impact on the nation.

RELATED: PHOTOS: Ceremonies begin for former President Jimmy Carter | 1924-2024

A Look at the Last 8 Presidents

Joint services military honor guards carry the casket of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush to a Union Pacific train in Spring, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Bush, the longest-living president in U.S. history at age 94, died at his home

George H.W. Bush (41st President)

Died: Nov. 30, 2018
Funeral: A state funeral spanned several days in Texas and Washington, D.C. Bush lay in state at the U.S. Capitol before a service at the National Cathedral. Attendees included President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, former presidents, first ladies, and foreign dignitaries.
Highlights: His remains were transported via a train painted in an Air Force One color scheme, reflecting his love of trains.
Burial Site: George H.W. Bush Presidential Library, College Station, Texas, alongside his wife, Barbara, and daughter Robin.
Estimated Cost: $500,000–$2 million

washington, UNITED STATES: Betty Ford pauses at the flag draped casket of her husband and former US president Gerald R. Ford, as he lies in state in the Rotunda of the US Capitol Building in Washington DC, 01 January 2007. Ford died in California on

Gerald Ford (38th President)

Died: Dec. 26, 2006
Funeral: Ceremonies took place in California, Washington, D.C., and Michigan. Services included a memorial at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, lying in state at the Capitol, and a funeral at the National Cathedral.
Highlights: Ford’s body lay in repose at his presidential museum in Michigan, where 67,000 people paid their respects.
Burial Site: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids, Michigan, alongside his wife, Betty Ford.
Estimated Cost: $7 million

TOPSHOT – Former US First Lady Nancy Reagan (C), escorted by Maj. Gen. Galen B. Jackman, watches 09 June, 2004, as the guard honor carries the casket bearing the remains of her husband former US president Ronald Reagan to the presidential airplane fo

Ronald Reagan (40th President)

Died: June 5, 2004
Funeral: A week-long state funeral included services in California, Washington, D.C., and a private burial at the Reagan Library. Reagan lay in repose for two days at the library and later in state at the Capitol, where 100,000 mourners visited.
Highlights: A sunset burial service marked the return of large-scale presidential state funerals.
Burial Site: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, California.
Estimated Cost: $400 million (including extensive security costs).

Flowers for Richard Nixon’s Funeral (Photo by �� Steve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Richard Nixon (37th President)

Died: April 22, 1994
Funeral: A private service held at the Nixon Presidential Library in California, attended by world leaders and five living presidents.
Highlights: Nixon lay in repose at the library, where 50,000 people waited up to 18 hours to pay their respects.
Burial Site: Nixon Library, Yorba Linda, California, alongside his wife, Pat.
Estimated Cost: Approximately $200,000

Honor guard bearing former Pres. Richard Nixon’s flag-draped coffin during funeral service (Rev. Billy Graham at far L). (Photo by Diana Walker/Getty Images)

Lyndon B. Johnson (36th President)

Died: Jan. 22, 1973
Funeral: Services included ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and Texas. Johnson lay in state at the Capitol and was later buried with military honors on his ranch.
Highlights: A Texas National Guard Unit fired a 21-gun salute during his burial.
Burial Site: Johnson Family Cemetery, Stonewall, Texas, alongside Lady Bird Johnson.
Estimated Cost: Likely under $500,000

Funeral of american president John F. Kennedy on november 25, 1963 in Washington : Edward “Ted” Kennedy, Jackie kennedy with her children Caroline and John-John, Robert “Bob” Kennedy. (Photo by Apic/Bridgeman via Getty Images)

John F. Kennedy (35th President)

Died: Nov. 22, 1963
Funeral: A three-day event following his assassination. Kennedy lay in repose at the White House, then in state at the Capitol, before a funeral Mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral.
Highlights: Jacqueline Kennedy lit the eternal flame at his Arlington gravesite. The funeral was the first to be televised.
Burial Site: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
Estimated Cost: Roughly $4 million (adjusted for inflation).

Funeral of Harry Truman, miscellaneous views of casket as it lies in state of Truman Library. (Photo by UPI Color/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Harry S. Truman (33rd President)

Died: Dec. 26, 1972
Funeral: Truman requested a modest funeral. Services included a private memorial at the Truman Library and a public memorial at the National Cathedral.
Highlights: His body passed by the Truman home, where Bess Truman watched from a window.
Burial Site: Truman Library, Independence, Missouri, alongside his wife, Bess.
Estimated Cost: Likely under $100,000

The late President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is laid to rest in the rose garden of his Hyde Park estate. Mourners and military officers gather to pay their last respects. | Location: Hyde Park, New York, USA.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd President)

Died: April 12, 1945
Funeral: Services were held at the White House and St. John’s Episcopal Church before his burial at Hyde Park.
Highlights: Thousands lined the train route from Warm Springs, Georgia, to New York. The ceremonies were scaled down due to WWII.
Burial Site: Springwood Estate, Hyde Park, New York, alongside Eleanor Roosevelt.
Estimated Cost: Unknown

Costs for Future Presidential Funerals

Modern presidential funerals have become increasingly expensive due to heightened security and larger public ceremonies. Estimated costs for future funerals could reach $8–10 million or more.

Presidents Still Living

Joe Biden (46th President)
Donald Trump (45th President)
Barack Obama (44th President)
George W. Bush (43rd President)
Bill Clinton (42nd President)

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Trump Has Reeled in More Than $200 Million Since Election Day

Published

10 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

Trump Has Reeled in More Than 0 Million Since Election Day

Since his victory in November, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s allies have raised well over $200 million for a constellation of groups that will fund his inauguration, his political operation and eventually his presidential library, according to four people involved in the fund-raising.

It is a staggering sum that underscores efforts by donors and corporate interests to curry favor with Mr. Trump ahead of a second presidential term after a number of business leaders denounced him following the violence by his supporters at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Mr. Trump has promised to gut the “deep state” and made various promises to industry supporters. Among the pledged donors for the inaugural events are Pfizer, OpenAI, Amazon and Meta, along with cryptocurrency firms.

The total haul for the committee financing his inaugural festivities — at least $150 million raised, with more expected — will eclipse the record-setting $107 million raised for his 2017 inauguration, according to three people briefed on the matter who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to share internal financial information.

Other committees benefiting from the fund-raising blitz include a super PAC called Make America Great Again Inc. and its associated nonprofit group, which is expected to be used by Mr. Trump’s team to back his agenda and candidates who support it, while opposing dissenters.

Mr. Trump has boasted about the haul, telling people during the Christmas holiday season that he had raised more than $200 million since the election. Mr. Trump’s team has repeatedly noted how many people have wanted to find ways to donate to him since his election win.

The Trump transition and inaugural committee did not return emails seeking comment about the fund-raising haul.

David Tamasi, a lobbyist who has raised money for Mr. Trump, dismissed a suggestion that corporate interests were giving to avoid Mr. Trump’s wrath, though he acknowledged that some donors may be trying to atone for having previously maintained distance from the president-elect.

“It is a time-honored D.C. tradition that corporations are enthusiastically embracing this cycle in all manners, largely because they were on the sidelines during previous Trump cycles,” he said. “They no longer have to hedge their political bets.”

Inaugural committees can accept unlimited contributions from individuals and corporations, but not foreign nationals. Major corporations that try to avoid partisan politics have long donated to inaugural funds to signal a willingness to work with new administrations and support for the democratic transfer of power, regardless of the incoming president’s party.

But there is cross-pollination among top fund-raisers for Mr. Trump’s inauguration and his political efforts, including several partners at lobbying firms that represent major corporate interests. Raising money for the inauguration can help lobbyists secure access for clients, and cachet for themselves with the incoming administration.

Among the four finance chairs for Mr. Trump’s inaugural committee are the lobbyist Jeff Miller and Reince Priebus, a former chief of staff in the Trump White House who is not a lobbyist but is chairman of the board of advisers of the lobbying firm Michael Best Strategies. Their firms represent companies with much at stake in the forthcoming administration, some of which plan to donate to the inauguration.

Mr. Miller’s firm, Miller Strategies, represents Pfizer and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, each of which has pledged donations. Their executives met after the election at Mar-a-Lago with Mr. Trump and his choice for health and human services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., amid concerns about how the drug industry might be affected by Mr. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic.

Since the election, Mr. Miller’s firm has registered to lobby for the ride-share tech company Uber, which has donated $1 million, as has, separately, its chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi. The firm also represents the tech company OpenAI, whose chief executive, Sam Altman, plans to give $1 million. Michael Best Strategies has represented the cryptocurrency firm Ripple for nearly four years. It has pledged $5 million in its own cryptocurrency, XRP — among the largest known donations to the inaugural committee.

After the election, Ripple retained the lobbyist Brian Ballard, a top Trump fund-raiser.

Another Ballard client, Robinhood, a leading cryptocurrency trading platform, has donated $2 million.

“We look forward to working with President Trump and the incoming administration to drive positive change in the markets, be an active voice for customers and pursue our mission to democratize finance for all,” Mary Elizabeth Taylor, Robinhood’s vice president of global government and external affairs, said in a statement.

Other companies associated with cryptocurrency are expected to be major contributors as well, reflecting optimism that Mr. Trump will deliver on his campaign trail promises to dial back federal scrutiny that figures in the industry say have stifled its growth.

Amazon, a Ballard client that found itself crosswise with the first Trump administration, said it planned to donate $1 million in cash.

Donations of at least $1 million grant access to the top package of perks related to several days of festivities in the run-up to the inauguration on Jan. 20, including what are touted as “intimate” dinners with Mr. Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, though often with many attendees, as well as black-tie balls after the swearing-in.

Other entities, ranging from companies like Meta to previous Trump critics like the billionaire Ken Griffin, have made $1 million donations to the inaugural.

Contributions to inaugural committees, which are required to be publicly disclosed to the Federal Election Commission months after the inauguration, are one of the last major opportunities to financially support a second-term president.

Mr. Tamasi and Oswaldo Palomo, who are partners in the lobbying firm Chartwell Strategy Group, raised more than $3 million for the inaugural. Their firm represents companies that could be affected by Mr. Trump’s proposed tariffs, including the South Korean automaker Hyundai and a U.S. subsidiary of the South Korean conglomerate SK Group.

The deadline for donating to the inaugural to be eligible for the perks of the weekend is Jan. 10, according to documents distributed to potential donors.

If the inaugural committee’s fund-raising exceeds the amount budgeted for the festivities, the expectation among fund-raisers is that the excess would be transferred to the committee collecting money toward a presidential library for Mr. Trump after he leaves office, according to two people involved in the effort.

The Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Fund Inc. was incorporated in Florida on Dec. 20, six days after it was revealed that ABC News had agreed to donate $15 million to Mr. Trump’s future presidential foundation and museum to settle a defamation claim he had brought against the network.

The fund was incorporated by a lawyer in Florida, Jacob Roth, who has previously created Trump groups, including the inaugural committee, according to state corporate records. The purpose of the entity, according to the Florida articles of incorporation, is “to preserve and steward the legacy of President Donald J. Trump and his presidency.”