Severe Weather Awareness Expo Features Allstate Foundation & Points of Light

News provided by

Mar 05, 2015, 04:52 ET

OKLAHOMA CITY, March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Second Annual Penn Square Mall Severe Weather Awareness Expo will feature the Allstate Foundation and Points of Light as they travel to Oklahoma City on their 14-city tour and education campaign. During the March 7 Expo, to be held from 12 to 4 p.m. at Penn Square Mall, 1901 Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City, members of the Oklahoma City community representing the Allstate Foundation and Points of Light will assist attendees in understanding the importance of disaster preparedness as well as create a tool kit illustrating the importance of being prepared.

"Oklahomans are no strangers to the effects and aftermath of severe weather and natural disasters," said Jessica Max, Allstate Agency owner. "To strengthen this understanding, we will have a variety of hands-on activities as well as educational opportunities for those who come and visit us at the Expo. A truly unique event, the Allstate Foundation and Points of Light have also arranged for an Allstate Catastrophe Response Vehicle to be on-hand for visitors to see how our efforts are immediate, ensuring their planning allows for a smooth transition after the disaster."

According to an Adelphi University study, nearly half of Americans lack emergency supplies for use in the event of a disaster. Also, this same study indicated more than half of parents do not have a designated meeting place in case of a disaster. More recently, The Oklahoman reported that in 2013, Oklahoma led the nation in natural disaster insured losses producing nearly $2 billion in disaster-related insurance payouts.

"The bottom line is simple, we must be prepared," said Max. "Taking the time to learn about putting together a disaster preparedness kit which will help during some of the most difficult times in our lives is crucial. This tour and education campaign can affect so many in a positive way before the next storm, earthquake or other unforeseen disaster."

The disaster preparedness tour and education campaign will visit 14 cities throughout the United States including Bergen County, N.J., Boston, Mass., Charleston, S.C., Chicago, Ill., Cincinnati, Ohio, Coney Island, N.Y., Houston, Texas, New Orleans, La., Oakland, Calif., Oklahoma City, Okla., Seattle, Wash., Springfield, Mo., Washington, D.C. and West Palm Beach, Fla. The tour and education campaign is produced by the Allstate Foundation and Points of Light. For more information, visit http://www.GoodandReady.org.