Fixing Gaps in Hurricane Preparedness Act

HR 4563, the "Fixing Gaps in Hurricane Preparedness Act," requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to research how the public, especially vulnerable groups like the elderly, people with disabilities, and those facing language barriers, receives and acts on hurricane forecasts and warnings. Key provisions mandate NOAA to conduct studies on evacuation decisions, trust in warning sources, language access, and demographic differences in response, and to identify data gaps. The bill also directs NOAA to launch a pilot study using surveys and focus groups in hurricane-prone areas to assess preparedness, trust in warnings, and barriers to evacuation. These research efforts aim to inform evidence-based improvements to hurricane warning systems and services for all communities.