The June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season is just around the corner. Early predictions indicate an active year and the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) urges the public to prepare for the heightened flood risks that come with hurricanes and tropical storms.
Flood insurance is essential to help financially protect homeowners and business owners against the devastating effects of flooding. The spring months have already brought significant flooding to many areas throughout the Midwest, such as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri. Also, the most recent two hurricane seasons have shown how devastating the consequences of seasonal flooding can be, with losses felt well beyond the high risk areas nearest the water.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61483-floodsmart-hurricane-season-is-just-one-month-away-flood-insurance
Looking to build a new home that would gracefully transition into a full-time, eco-friendly residence, Warren and Sally Baker turned to Blu® Homes, Inc. (“Blu”), the leading builder of precision-engineered, green prefab homes. The Bakers will build a one-story, green home with Blu Homes that is strong enough to weather storms and hurricanes that are common to coastal regions. The Baker home will be Blu Homes’ first project built on Shelter Island.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/64404-blu-homes-to-build-first-home-on-shelter-island
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the “Big Four” of 2004, when, for the first time in recorded history, four hurricanes struck the Florida coast in one year. Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne caused an estimated $45 billion in damage, the costliest U.S. Atlantic hurricane season on record at that time.
Flooding is the Nation’s costliest and deadliest natural disaster, affecting every state in the United States. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), storm surge poses the greatest threat to life and property along U.S. coasts.
Dr. Rick Knabb, director of the NHC, stated, “Hurricanes and flooding can pose serious risks to your family and property. By making a plan and taking preventive actions, you can get ahead of the storm and protect what matters to you.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7249151-national-hurricane-center-flash-flood-preparedness-2014-hurricane-season/
For six weeks this spring, the America's PrepareAthon! Campaign and other preparedness partners will focus on different hazards and provide simple actions that people and communities should take to prepare for each particular hazard.
This fifth week highlights hurricanes. Individuals, communities, businesses, schools, and houses of worship around the country are holding preparedness discussions, conducting drills, and taking specific steps to prepare for hurricanes.
People who live in hurricane-prone coastal areas should know their vulnerability to wind and flooding, as well as what to do to reduce the effects of both. People who live inland from coastal areas may also experience high winds, power outages, and flooding from torrential rain. Protecting yourself today means having sources for information, preparing your home and workplace, developing an emergency communication plan, and knowing what to do when a hurricane is approaching your community.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7770531-fema-national-prepareathon/
All natural disasters, including the recent hurricanes, are a reminder how swiftly emergencies and disasters can happen. To address the fact that less than 50 percent of households have developed an emergency plan and discussed it with their families, FEMA and the Ad Council are working to inform and encourage all Americans to plan ahead for disasters. FEMA and the Ad Council are announcing the release of new public service announcements (PSAs) as part of the Ready Campaign to conclude National Preparedness Month. The PSAs, “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” encourage families to take time to talk about their emergency plans – what to do, where to go for an evacuation or shelter-in-place, and how to get in contact in the event that you are separated in a disaster or emergency.
“Preparedness is a shared responsibility. It’s important to be aware of your local hazards,” said FEMA Acting Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness Katie Fox. “The first step to preparing for a disaster doesn’t cost anything – talk to your family and make a plan for evacuation, shelter and communication. Discuss what you will need. You can also take training or a CPR course to help yourself and others.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8170051-ad-council-fema-ready-gov-national-preparedness-month-disaster-plan/
In just five hours overnight on October 18, Times Square was transformed from a concrete jungle into a woodland paradise by LightStream, the national online lending division of SunTrust Bank. Nearly 200 live trees, shrubs and plants -- oak, maple, and purple plum trees, as well as rhododendron, mountain laurels and more – provided a magical setting for thousands of visitors to enjoy and have their photo taken and shared on a Times Square billboard. The Forest of Dreams event kicked off LightStream’s effort to plant 10,000 trees in October, one for each person who participated in Times Square or who signs up at LightStreamForests.com before November 1.
The Forest of Dreams will benefit wilderness areas and green spaces across the U.S., including areas decimated by wildfires and hurricanes in Houston, Miami and California.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7740051-lightstream-forest-of-dreams/
Remembering those who were lost by helping those in need; that's the meaning behind Charity Day at Cantor Fitzgerald, a leading financial services firm, and its affiliates BGC Partners, Inc. and GFI Group. On September 11, 2018, dozens of celebrities - including President Bill Clinton, Mr. Tony Blair, Common, Saquon Barkley, Alec Baldwin, and more - participated in the firms’ most successful Charity Day event to date, raising more than $12 million in a single day for various charities around the world. Charity Day also kicked off an effort to raise $5 million for Puerto Rico to help families affected by last year’s Hurricanes Maria and Jose to rebuild their homes and their lives.
Each year, Cantor Fitzgerald, BGC Partners and GFI Group donate 100 percent of the global revenues generated on Charity Day to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund and, to date, have raised approximately $159 million globally since its inception in 2005.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8320351-cantor-fitzgerald-2018-charity-day/
Dozens of actors, musicians, sports personalities and other distinguished guests donated their time on September 11th to honor the memories of those who lost their lives on 9/11 by raising more than $12 million for charities around the world. This special event, called Charity Day, is hosted each year by BGC Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: BGCP) (“BGC Partners” or “BGC”), a leading global brokerage company servicing the financial and real estate markets, and its affiliates Cantor Fitzgerald and GFI Group. Celebrities who attended the event included Matthew McConaughey, Common, and Liev Schreiber in New York, and Nicole Scherzinger, Tom Hardy and Jimmy Carr in London.
In addition to the millions of dollars raised for many worthy causes, BGC Partners, Cantor Fitzgerald and GFI Group announced they are raising $5 million for the families severely impacted by Hurricanes Maria and Jose in Puerto Rico. These funds will be raised over the next several months and prepaid $1000 American Express® cash cards will be distributed to 5,000 families in January 2019.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8320352-bgc-partners-2018-charity-day/
Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath products and power systems, has developed a portable showering experience to assist volunteers following hurricanes and other disasters. The new 42-foot KOHLER Relief trailer, which is powered by a KOHLER mobile generator, has been deployed for the first time by Operation Blessing International (OBI) to New Bern, North Carolina, a community with severe flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. OBl is a global nonprofit humanitarian organization providing aid in 39 countries through disaster relief, health and medical care, hunger relief, and access to safe water.
“We’re pleased to work with Kohler to bring the Relief Trailer to our many dedicated volunteers who are in North Carolina helping those in need following the devastation caused by Hurricane Florence,” said Ronda Sherman, vice president of philanthropy for Operation Blessing International. “Our volunteers are often deployed for weeks or months at a time following these massive storms and having the opportunity to shower onsite will significantly enhance our team’s efforts throughout the cleanup and recovery process.”