PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 500 AM EST MON MAR 21 2005 THE NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS DECLARED MARCH 21 THROUGH 26 FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK. THE NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON WILL FEATURE A DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL TOPIC EACH DAY DURING THE AWARENESS WEEK. TODAYS TOPIC: ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE. WHAT IS THE ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE? THE HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE IS AN ONGOING EFFORT TO MODERNIZE THE NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HYDROLOGIC SERVICES. THIS EFFORT WILL PROVIDE IMPROVED RIVER AND FLOOD FORECASTS AND WATER INFORMATION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY AND ENSURE THE NATIONS ECONOMIC WELL BEING. GRAPHICAL PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE NWS HOMEPAGE: HTTP://WWW.NWS.NOAA.GOV/RIVERS_TAB.PHP WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THE ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE? EVERYONE WHO MAKES DECISIONS BASED ON WATER...INCLUDING FARMERS... RIVER BOAT PILOTS...EMERGENCY MANAGERS...MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY OFFICIALS...RECREATIONISTS...AND DAM OPERATORS CAN BENEFIT. WHAT WILL THE ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE DO FOR ME? BECAUSE EVERY MINUTE COUNTS...THE ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE WILL HELP EMERGENCY MANAGERS BE MORE PRO-ACTIVE TO FIGHT A FLOOD. THE ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE 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. THE ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE... 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?