New Jersey Officials Stress the Importance of Preparedness Amid Climate Change

NJOEM and NJDEP kick off National Preparedness Month with a focus on adapting to the increasingly severe weather conditions due to climate change.

To mark the beginning of National Preparedness Month and the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, State Police Superintendent Patrick J. Callahan and Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette have urged New Jersey residents to prepare for extreme weather events, which have been exacerbated by climate change.

Who: State Police Superintendent Patrick J. Callahan and Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette.

What: Urging the public to prepare for extreme weather events due to climate change.

When: At the start of National Preparedness Month, which runs through November 30, 2023.

Where: Statewide, with emphasis on New Jersey's various disaster-prone areas.

Why: Due to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events attributed to climate change.

How: Through responsible planning, collaboration, and understanding of severe weather patterns.

Colonel Patrick J. Callahan said, “Together, we must adapt, mitigate, and stand resilient to the changing tides, and ensure our future remains as resilient as our determination.”

Commissioner LaTourette added, “We urge everyone to be diligent throughout the year by being as prepared as possible for these disasters.”

New Jersey’s Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Environmental Protection provide various tips and tools for preparedness, including registering for emergency alerts, creating go-bags, and understanding flood risks. Both agencies emphasize community-based resilience planning and provide funding opportunities for such efforts.