NOUS42 KCHS 200842
PNSCHS
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>051-210900-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
400 AM EST MON MAR 20 2006

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS DECLARED MARCH 20 THROUGH 24 AS 
FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN 
CHARLESTON WILL FEATURE A DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL TOPIC EACH DAY 
DURING THE AWARENESS WEEK. TODAY/S TOPIC IS THE ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC 
PREDICTION SERVICE ...AHPS FOR SHORT.


WHAT IS AHPS?

AHPS IS THE NWS/S ONGOING EFFORT TO MODERNIZE ITS HYDROLOGIC 
SERVICES. AHPS IS ESSENTIALLY AN ENHANCED GRAPHICAL INTERFACE FOR 
ACCESSING INFORMATION ABOUT RIVER LEVELS...FORECASTS...FLOOD 
CONDITIONS...AND MUCH MORE. AHPS PROVIDES IMPROVED RIVER AND FLOOD 
FORECASTS AND WATER INFORMATION ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO PROTECT LIFE 
AND PROPERTY AND ENSURE THE ECONOMIC WELL BEING OF THE NATION. AHPS 
GRAPHICAL PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE NWS HOMEPAGE... 
HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/AHPS 
YOU CAN ACCESS OUR LOCAL AHPS PAGE BY CLICKING IN THE VICINITY OF 
SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA ON THE NATIONAL MAP. 


WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM AHPS?

EVERYONE WHO MAKES DECISIONS BASED ON WATER...INCLUDING FARMERS... 
RIVER BOAT PILOTS...EMERGENCY MANAGERS...MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY 
OFFICIALS...RECREATIONISTS...AND DAM OPERATORS CAN BENEFIT FROM AHPS.


WHAT WILL AHPS DO FOR ME?

BECAUSE EVERY MINUTE COUNTS...AHPS WILL HELP EMERGENCY MANAGERS BE 
MORE PROACTIVE TO FIGHT A FLOOD. AHPS PROVIDES INFORMATION FOR 
COMMUNITY LEADERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS TO MAKE BETTER LIFE-SAVING 
DECISIONS ABOUT EVACUATING PEOPLE OR MOVING PROPERTY BEFORE A FLOOD. 
THE NAVIGATION COMMUNITY WILL BE ABLE TO PLAN WITH BETTER CONFIDENCE 
AND OPTIMIZE BARGE AND SHIPPING OPERATIONS...SAVING MILLIONS OF 
DOLLARS EACH YEAR. RECREATIONAL USERS WILL BE ABLE TO STAY OUT OF 
HARMS WAY. AHPS...WITH ITS SUITE OF ENHANCED INFORMATION...PROVIDES 
THE PUBLIC WITH MORE DETAILED AND ACCURATE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING 
QUESTIONS.

HOW HIGH WILL THE RIVERS RISE?
WHEN WILL THE RIVER REACH ITS PEAK?
WHERE WILL THE FLOODING OCCUR?
HOW LONG WILL THE FLOOD LAST?
HOW LONG WILL THE DROUGHT LAST?
HOW CERTAIN IS THE FORECAST?

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