"We have to convince people of the realities of what can happen when a Category 3, 4, or 5 hurricane hits their area. Hurricane Katrina was a Category 3, and we all remember the massive damage it caused. All of us have to do a better job when it comes to making people aware of the real dangers these hurricanes present," Governor Riley said.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff attended the conference and echoed Governor Riley's concerns, saying, "We all have to take personal responsibility during a hurricane. First responders can only get to so many people at a time. Therefore, people who can help themselves, need to do so. That will take some of the burden off of the shoulders of the first responders, allowing them to help those who are homebound and without transportation first."
Governor Riley also stressed the importance of the two states working together. He told attendees that the states need to not only work together for Alabama and Mississippi, but to expand that thinking to include the entire Southeastern region.
This is the second hurricane conference the two states have shared. Mississippi hosted this year's Alabama/Mississippi Hurricane Conference, Alabama hosted it last year. The purpose of the conference is for the two states to exchange ideas to better serve the citizens and local governments in the event of a major hurricane.
