Obama urges public to get ready for hurricane season

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is urging the public to prepare for the coming hurricane season and warning against what he says is a growing “complacency” when it comes to dangerous weather.

Obama says people should have evacuation plans and readiness kits handy, and should follow official evacuation orders. He says information on how to prepare is posted on the website Ready.gov.

The president issued the warnings Tuesday, the day before the start of hurricane season. Obama received a briefing from federal officials at FEMA headquarters in Washington.

U.S. government forecasters are expecting a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season after three relatively slow years.

Obama says the government plays a vital role in protecting people from increasingly powerful weather. But he says it is “every citizen’s responsibility” to be ready.