The city of Long Beach will hold a series of events in September to mark National Preparedness Month, urging residents to be ready to react and respond to emergencies such as storms, fires or earthquakes.
“The tragic fire in Maui and the impacts of Tropical Storm Hilary are important reminders that disasters can strike swiftly at any time,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “Long Beach residents should take this opportunity to learn more about the hazards that can affect them and create plans to be better prepared.”
The city’s preparedness campaign will focus particularly on seniors and people with disabilities, who can be disproportionately impacted in emergency situations.
On Sept. 9, a Ready Long Beach Community Preparedness Expo will be held at Cal State Long Beach. The free event is billed as the largest preparedness event in Southern California.
The city’s Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications will also hold a series of pop-up events throughout the month, providing preparedness informational materials. Details of the events will be announced on the city’s social media channels. City officials urged residents to follow the agency on Facebook and Instagram at @LBDisasterPrep.
The social media channels will also be home to educational campaigns throughout the month providing tips and question-and-answer sessions.
Residents can also sign up on the city’s website for emergency notification alerts. Information is also available online about how to assemble emergency “go-kits” and other essentials.
“Earthquakes continue to be the city’s most probable disaster, but extreme weather conditions, like Tropical Storm Hilary, severely impact communities throughout the region and in Long Beach,” Reggie Harrison, director of the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications Department, said in a statement. “Major emergencies or disasters are traumatic and frightening events especially for older adults and those with limited mobility.”