NOUS42 KCHS 301000
PNSCHS
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>051-311000-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
600 AM EDT WED MAY 30 2012

...NATIONAL HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK CONTINUES...

PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS SHOULD BE COMPLETE BEFORE THE
SEASON OFFICIALLY BEGINS STARTING JUNE 1. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
ARE SAFETY TIPS THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

LEARN THE RISKS IN YOUR AREA...PARTICULARLY WHETHER YOU ARE VULNERABLE
TO FLOODING FROM STORM SURGE. THIS REQUIRES KNOWING THE ELEVATION OF 
YOUR LOCATION ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL AS WELL AS THE HISTORY OF STORM 
SURGE EVENTS. 

LEARN EVACUATION ROUTES AND THE LOCATIONS OF OFFICIAL SHELTERS. BE
PREPARED TO MAKE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR PETS. DETERMINE THE 
LOCATIONS OF PET-FRIENDLY LODGING AND SHELTERS. 

REVIEW THE WORKING CONDITION OF EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT...SUCH AS 
FLASHLIGHTS...BATTERY-POWERED RADIOS AND GENERATORS. ANTICIPATE 
EXTENDED PERIODS WITHOUT ELECTRICITY IN THE WAKE OF A HURRICANE. 

STOCKPILE NON-PERISHABLE FOOD AND WATER. AFTER A DEVASTATING
HURRICANE FOOD AND WATER COULD BE UNAVAILABLE FOR DAYS OR LONGER.
OBTAIN AND STORE MATERIALS...SUCH AS PLYWOOD...NECESSARY TO
PROPERLY SECURE YOUR HOME. CLEAR CLOGGED RAIN GUTTERS AND DOWN
SPOUTS. KEEP TREES AND SHRUBS TRIMMED.

DETERMINE WHERE TO STORE YOUR BOAT DURING AND AFTER THE STORM.
REVIEW YOUR INSURANCE POLICY. MOST HAZARD INSURANCE POLICIES DO
NOT INCLUDE FLOODING. FLOOD INSURANCE POLICIES CAN BE OBTAINED BUT
DO NOT TAKE EFFECT FOR 30 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE.

CONSOLIDATE AND STORE IMPORTANT PAPERS SUCH AS INSURANCE POLICIES
IN A SAFE OR IN A WATERPROOF CONTAINER THAT YOU CAN BRING WITH YOU
DURING AN EVACUATION.

INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS OR OTHERS REQUIRING MORE INFORMATION
SHOULD CONTACT THEIR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE...COUNTY
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE...LOCAL AMERICAN RED CROSS CHAPTER...
OR PROJECT IMPACT PERSONNEL.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEB AT THE FOLLOWING 
ADDRESSES /ALL IN LOWERCASE LETTERS/...

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER...HTTP://NHC.NOAA.GOV/PREPARE 
CHARLESTON NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE...HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/CHS/TROPICAL.SHTML

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