WINFIELD, Kan. (July 6, 2021) – Cowley County Emergency Management is proud to join the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to promote summer safety by spreading the word and encouraging all residents of the community to learn the facts and taking steps now to prepare.

This July, FEMA and the Ready Campaign will be educating the public on heat and drought preparedness to ensure everyone is prepared for summer. There were 63 heat-related fatalities in 2019, yet, heat has the highest 10-year average of deaths per year at 103 fatalities, and the highest 30-year average of any hazard at 138 fatalities.

During times of extreme heat, many areas may also experience periods of reduced rainfall or drought. As the summer continues and temperatures rise, there may be an increased risk of drought in our region. If a drought should occur, it’s important to know what measures to take to reduce the impact to yourself and property.

Cowley County Emergency Management will be raising awareness of how citizens can take steps to stay safe this summer through social media posts. We are committed to helping the whole community prepare for a safe and fun summer

More information on summer hazards can be found on the Ready.gov website at https://www.ready.gov/ under the Extreme Heat and Drought tabs and on The National Weather Service heat website at https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat.