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Hurricane Season Playbook: Crisis Communications that Work Under Pressure

Gloomy stormy sky over the countryside.

When a hurricane is on the horizon, every word you choose matters. The right message can calm fears, save lives, and maintain credibility. The wrong one can create confusion, erode trust, and slow recovery.

This free, two-hour Gulf States-focused webinar will equip you with proven crisis communication strategies to navigate hurricane season—before, during, and after the storm.

Webinar Details

📅 Date: September 4, 2025

🕑 Time: 11:00–1:00 p.m. CDT (1–1.5 hour presentation + 30 min Q&A)

📍 Location: Virtual – link provided after registration

💵 Cost: Free

What You’ll Learn

  • How to prepare clear, trusted messages before the storm

  • Real-time communication tactics during impact to protect public safety and credibility

  • Best practices for post-storm recovery messaging that rebuild trust and community confidence

  • Pitfalls to avoid that can undermine your message and create unnecessary backlash

Who Should Attend

  • Municipal leaders, city managers + PIOs

  • Emergency management officials

  • School district communications teams

  • Hospital + healthcare PR staff

  • Utility, port + critical infrastructure communication teams

  • Nonprofits + community response organizations

About the Presenters

Dr. Eric Kowalczyk and Judy Pal, M.S. and have more than 60 years’ combined experience, with a significant history of preparing for and responding to crises, including the crash of SwissAir 111, the Atlanta Tornado, the Baltimore Riots, the October 31 NYC terrorist attack, natural disasters, police-involved shootings, police-involved intentional homicides, line-of-duty deaths, and a host of other tactical and reputational crises. They have also worked with the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, conducting tabletop (TTX) crisis communications exercises for the MTA, Grand Central Terminal - Madison, and the Moynihan Train Hall. Combined, Eric and Judy have participated in hundreds of local, national, and international television and print media interviews. They have drafted crisis communications plans for and trained federal, state, and municipal governmental bodies in crisis communication response.

  • Dr. J. Eric Kowalczyk is a nationally recognized crisis communications strategist, author, and public speaker. As the CEO of Connection Point, Eric has guided municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and nonprofits through high-stakes situations, including natural disasters, civil unrest, and large-scale emergencies. His methodology and crisis communication framework have been adopted by leaders nationwide.

  • Judy Pal, M.S. is a globally recognized communications leader with more than 40 years of experience in executive management, public relations, and crisis communications for municipalities, government and public safety agencies, private sector organizations, and the professional sports and entertainment industries in both Canada and the U.S. Judy has extensive experience dealing with sensitive, image‐threatening issues, including the criminal conduct of police officers, international scandals, and acts of terrorism.