OR&R’s Disaster Preparedness Program has a big mission: to ensure the National Ocean Service, partners, and coastal communities are able to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from all hazards, including coastal disasters. To accomplish this, we often partner with others who are working toward the same goal. When we work together, we are able to accomplish more by leveraging our resources, expertise, and networks. This creates a win-win scenario and allows us to best serve the public and natural resources that we support.

So far this year, OR&R has provided support to 98 incidents. In July, OR&R provided response support to 21 incidents, including 11 new incidents in seven states and one territory (the U.S. Virgin Islands). Staff prepared 147 new incident reports and documents, including nine fate and trajectory analyses. Cumulatively, these incidents posed an approximate risk of over 66,000 gallons of oils and 77,000 metric tons of chemicals⁠. 
 

As travelers, we need to know our surroundings and be aware of potential risks. Those risks can include reducing our vulnerability to crime, taking necessary precautions to avoid illness, and knowing what hazards are more common in the areas we visit. As you prepare for your next vacation, or even your next work trip, take a little time to familiarize yourself with your destination and think through what steps you might take should a disaster occur.