PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 500 AM EDT MON MAR 19 2007 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS DECLARED MARCH 19 THROUGH 23 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 AN ONGOING EFFORT BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TO MODERNIZE ITS HYDROLOGIC SERVICES. AHPS IS ESSENTIALLY AN ENHANCED GRAPHICAL INTERFACE FOR ACCESSING 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 IS AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING URL... 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 WHEN RESPONDING TO FLOODING. 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. $$