Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 5 September 2025

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters. 

2025 National Preparedness Month Toolkit

September is 2025 National Preparedness Month and the theme this year is “Preparedness Starts at Home”. FEMA has published a useful toolkit with a comprehensive set of resources to help individuals, families, community leaders, and organizations prepare for emergencies. This year’s toolkit emphasizes four essential actions for everyone:

1. Know the risks: Understand the types of emergencies that could occur in your area and how to respond safely.
2. Make a family emergency plan: Use available templates, including a free, fillable Family Emergency Plan form, to prepare ahead of time.
3. Build an emergency supply kit: Gather vital supplies into a go-bag for swift evacuation or shelter-in-place scenarios.
4. Get involved in your community: Stay informed about local emergency and disaster plans, engage with neighbors, and even volunteer to help prepare your community.

Analyst Comments: This toolkit encourages sharing of customized messaging such as reminders to establish meeting points, practice evacuation routes, and include essential items like flashlights, radios, chargers, and non-perishable food in your kit. It is encouraged for HOWs to take these steps to protect their facilities. FB-ISAO recommends sharing this messaging with your congregants and emphasize the importance of preparedness.

Tropical Activity Ramps Up in Atlantic and Pacific

Hurricane Kiko has rapidly developed into a Category 4 storm with winds nearing 145 mph and is projected to approach Hawaii by early next week, though forecasts suggest it will likely weaken into a tropical storm or lower-category hurricane before arrival. Together, these developments show the varying and heightened tropical cyclone threats unfolding across both the Atlantic and Pacific basins this week. There also is a Tropical Rainstorm Lorena that is hitting Mexico with potential of flooding rain to spread to southwestern U.S.

Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that a tropical rainstorm currently traversing the Atlantic is expected to intensify into Tropical Storm Gabrielle and then strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane by around September 10^th, posing a serious threat to the northeastern Caribbean, particularly the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, and surrounding regions.

Analyst Comments: The simultaneous development of major tropical systems in both the Atlantic and Pacific basins shows the peak intensity of the hurricane season. With one storm tracking toward the Caribbean and another threatening Hawaii, emergency managers face a dual challenge in preparing communities. These storms reinforce the importance of timely forecasting, public communication, and preparedness planning, especially as rapid intensification events become more frequent. Faith-based organizations, local governments, and community groups may consider sharing resources, emphasizing evacuation readiness, and ensuring vulnerable populations have access to shelters, supplies, and reliable information.