Task Force Responds to Hurricanes

Early in the hurricane season, Heritage Preservation, on behalf of the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, posted a news release about preparedness on its Web site and shared the information with major museum, library, and archives list-servs. Flood/Hurricane Information Packets were mailed to state agencies and associations in key Southeastern states.

Then “Save Your Treasures the Right Way,” a press release with basic tips for the public on saving water-damaged photographs and other heirlooms, was sent to daily newspapers and media Web sites after these hurricanes:

• Charley—10 media outlets in Florida, mainly the Gulf Coast
• Gaston—two media outlets in Richmond, Virginia, and one in Charleston, South Carolina
• Frances—48 media outlets throughout Florida; 21 in Georgia; and 16 in Alabama
• Ivan—11 media outlets in coastal Louisiana; 14 in Mississippi; 12 in eastern Tennessee; and 25 in North Carolina.

The press release was also sent to local conservation alliances in the Southeast and posted on the Web sites of regional preservation organizations such as the Southeastern Library Network, Inc. (SOLINET). A flyer with the same information was displayed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at Disaster Recovery Centers and distributed to State Librarians and members of the International Association of Emergency Managers.