Brief: For National Preparedness Month, Leo Burnett unveiled a new series of PSAs for FEMA as part of their Ready campaign in partnership with the Ad Council. The PSAs focus on the idea that “you never know when the day before is the day before” a natural disaster, so be prepared. The PSAs direct audiences to a microsite, www.ready.gov/today.
Assignment: As part of the microsite for the campaign, I was charged with researching and writing 20 of the state and US territory info blurbs, which captured the day before and the day of a natural disaster. A few examples of my work are below:
APR 26, 2011
In-state football rivalries heated up, as the flagship campuses debated whether Auburn quarterback Cam Newton or Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus would be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
APR 27, 2011
The worst tornado in four decades cut a mile-wide path of destruction through the heart of Tuscaloosa. Late Wednesday afternoon, residents emerged from shelter to find decimated buildings, restaurants, and homes. At least 36 people died and hundreds were injured. The University of Alabama was largely spared.
SEP 5, 2010
Runners woke up early that Sunday morning to stretch for The Coal Creek Crossing race, a 10-mile race that climbs 500 vertical feet above the plains. The winner clocked in at 54:38.
SEP 6, 2010
The Fourmile Fire burned 169 homes to the ground and destroyed more than 6,000 acres of wildlands. Over 3,000 residents of the steep, forested area were forced to evacuate. By the time the fire was extinguished it had cleared the area of so much vegetation that it will remain prone to flash flooding for generations.
JAN 31, 2011
Under dark skies, commuters began the slog homeward by train and car. At 5:29 p.m., the first snowflakes fell at O’Hare International Airport.
FEB 1, 2011
The blizzard of 2011 dumped a foot and a half of snow over parts of Illinois. Antioch recorded an astounding 27 inches. Drifts reached 53 mph, rendering major roads such as Chicago’s Lakeshore Drive impassable. Stranded commuters were forced to abandon cars en masse. On the roads still open, State Police reported nearly 40 crashes.
www.ready.gov/today