by Mark Sloan, Harris County Emergency Management Coordinator
Since the 2000 Census took place, at least four major hurricanes have surged the Gulf Coast, causing widespread damage and costing billions of dollars in rebuilding efforts. If you’re still feeling the effects of these storms, did you know that filling out your Census questionnaire will help your community prepare for future disasters?
The data collected by the Census assists communities in evacuation planning and preparedness efforts. In Harris County it is not a matter of if a disaster will strike but when it will strike.
With the impact Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike have already had on Harris County, our communities cannot afford to be ill prepared for the future. The next ten years of recovery efforts are counting on this year’s Census findings; with a complete and accurate count, we can work together to make sure that in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster, funding for rebuilding efforts will be secure.
As a result of these hurricanes, Harris County communities have also experienced strong shifts in their populations. These changes need to be reflected in 2010 Census findings, which will help to allocate critical funding to communities that have permanently welcomed displaced residents in recent years.
As we continue to adjust to life after these hurricanes, it’s important for residents who have lost their homes and are currently living with family members or friends to participate in the Census. Harris County is still counting on you! If you’ve been displaced by recent disasters, you should be included on the Census questionnaire addressed to the household in which you live most of the time.
While hurricane season will always be a major concern for Harris County, residents can be sure that by filling out and mailing back their Census questionnaires today, they’re helping their communities prepare for critical planning and recovery efforts for the next decade.
Stand up and be counted—there truly is Power in Numbers!
Visit www.PowerinNumbersHarrisCounty.com for more information about the Harris County’s 2010 Census campaign and how you can get involved.
To stay updated on the latest Harris County Census news, become a fan of our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/HarrisCountyCensus2010) and follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/HCCensus2010). To learn more about the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, visit. www.hcoem.org.
