WASHINGTON – Over the last year, speculation of major hurricanes and pandemic influenza have worked their way into the lives of Americans while terrorist attacks on American soil after 9/11 have remained in the back of the minds of many.

With June 1 as the official start of hurricane season, the possibility of another major storm is looming in the minds of many along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, particularly the still-recovering credit unions in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently announced the 80% chance of an "above-normal" hurricane season with 13 to 16 named storms, eight to 10 hurricanes, and four to six major hurricanes. "However, we do not currently expect a repeat of last year's record season," NOAA stated. CUNA recently announced that it has created disaster preparedness tool kits to help keep credit unions up and running through disasters. Under its ongoing R.E.S.C.U. (Relief Effort and Support for Credit Unions) program, the trade association delivered the tool kits to each state league June 1 to help credit unions handle the operational impact of storms and other disasters. They will be distributed by the leagues to the credit unions on an "as needed" basis.

"With the National Hurricane Center predicting a season of eight to 10 hurricanes-of which four to six could become `major' storms of category 3 strength or greater-it is vital that credit unions, particularly along the Southern and Eastern coasts, have plans and tools in place now to support their preparedness," CUNA President and CEO Dan Mica explained. "These tools will support credit union efforts to set their plans to face disasters and emergencies-whether hurricanes or some other occurrence."