Residents prepare for natural disasters

Community members learned how to prepare themselves for natural disasters during a citizens preparedness seminar at the East Meadow Public Library Auditorium on Nov. 28.

The seminar was co-hosted by Assemblyman Ed Ra, who represents Franklin Square, alongside Sen. Steven Rhoads, Assemblyman John Mikulkin, and County Legislator Tom McKevitt to help residents prepare for severe weather events — which have become more frequent and more extreme.

Ra said the seminar was a “huge success,” with a turnout of more than 60 people.

“The large turnout underscores the commitment of our community members toward readiness and resilience,” Ra said in a news release.

Seminar attendees learned what tools and resources are needed to prepare, respond and recover from any type of disaster.

“I want to thank the governor for sponsoring this critical program — there’s nothing more important than keeping families safe, and the best way to do that is to plan ahead,” he said. “Thank you, also, to every person who made this event possible and the East Meadow Public Library for hosting.”

It’s never too late to prepare for a natural disaster, and for anyone looking for additional information regarding disaster preparedness training resources, family emergency planning, safety tips and more, visit Prepare.NY.gov.

“For those who couldn’t make it, it’s never too late to start planning for emergencies,” Ra said. “As our climate continues to evolve, being proactive becomes paramount. Preparedness starts at the individual level, and events like these offer invaluable guidance.”