This summit was the third and final part of a preparedness webinar series focused on hurricane readiness amidst a pandemic. This installment specifically focused on the challenges and limitations of hurricane response and recovery activities in a pandemic environment. The summit provided an engaging discussion where participants were able to share best practices and any lessons learned. 

The Summit was kicked off by the NOS Chief of Staff, Emily Menashes; the Office of Response and Restoration Director, Scott Lundgren; and Director of the Disaster Response Center, Charlie Henry. Together, they helped set the tone by highlighting essential facets of this year’s hurricane season, including challenges and limitations that NOS faces for deployments, missions, personnel, and resources as we enter into the 2020 Hurricane Season. The preparedness summit also highlighted best practices for mitigating risk to NOAA personnel and NOAA partners while on deployment supporting Emergency Support Functions (ESF).

Included were presentations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S.Coast Guard (USCG), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, speakers from the states of Florida, Georgia, Texas, and the territory of the Virgin Islands shared hurricane preparedness information from a local perspective. Presenters shared best practices to mitigate limitations brought on by a pandemic and ways NOS can continue to support its partners during this year’s hurricane season.

The Hurricane Preparedness Summit concluded with closing remarks from the Director of NOAA’s Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center, Charlie Henry, reinforcing NOS’s commitment to preparedness as we continue to work through this year’s unique hurricane season.  

For more information, contact Charlie.Henry@nooa.gov or Collin.Buckner@noaa.gov.

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