Okla. Governor Helps Launch Severe Weather Campaign

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry on Friday announced the kickoff of a statewide severe weather preparedness campaign.

Called McReady Oklahoma, the campaign is a public-private partnership designed to prepare families for emergencies, to increase awareness of severe weather threats and to build prepared communities.

City, county and state emergency management officials along with volunteer response agencies and associations joined corporate sponsors such as McDonalds and OG&E in the Blue Room at the State Capitol Building for the official launch.

“Over the years, we’ve seen more than our share of destruction caused by tornados and severe weather,” said Governor Henry. But many of us have also learned – that being prepared and knowing what to do before the storm hits – saves lives. That’s what this campaign is all about.”

The program features displays in more than 140 McDonald’s restaurants throughout the state during the month of April which the Governor proclaimed McReady Oklahoma Family Preparedness Month. Informational materials focusing on floods, tornadoes, lightning, emergency preparedness and NOAA weather radios will be available as part of the program. Customers will also see severe-weather themed tray liners and drive-thru bag stuffers throughout the month.

“We are honored to be part of this groundbreaking program,” said Albert Ashwood, director of Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (ODEM). “We’ve known for years that preparedness is the key to saving lives when it comes to severe weather. The McReady program allows us to drive the message home and better prepare families and entire communities.”

Other McReady partners include American Red Cross, MOROCH, National Weather Service, Oklahoma Citizen Corps, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Oklahoma Emergency Management Association, Oklahoma Floodplain Management Association, OG&E Electric Services, R.D. Flanagan & Associates, The Salvation Army, Tulsa Mayor’s Citizen Corps/Tulsa Partners Inc. and the Oklahoma McDonald’s Owner/Operator Cooperatives.