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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
627 PM EDT FRI MAY 27 2005

HURRICANE AWARENESS WEEK WILL BE OBSERVED MAY 29 THROUGH JUNE 4.
PARTNERS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE...EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT...THE AMERICAN RED CROSS AND PROJECT IMPACT...ALL AGREE
THAT PREPAREDNESS IS THE KEY TO MINIMIZING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND
PREVENTING LOSS OF LIFE. THIS ANNUAL EVENT GIVES CITIZENS OF
SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AN OPPORTUNITY TO
EDUCATE THEMSELVES...OR REVIEW THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF WEATHER HAZARDS
ASSOCIATED WITH HURRICANES.

HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS ON JUNE 1 AND CONTINUES THROUGH NOVEMBER
30. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL RESIDENTS BECOME FAMILIAR WITH
HURRICANE SAFETY PROCEDURES...BECAUSE HURRICANES POSE A SERIOUS
THREAT TO COASTAL AND INLAND AREAS ALIKE.  HIGH WINDS...TORNADOES...
AND FLOOD-PRODUCING RAINS CAN OCCUR FROM THE IMMEDIATE COAST TO
HUNDREDS OF MILES INLAND. IN 1999...HURRICANE FLOYD PRODUCED
TORRENTIAL RAIN OVER NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND EASTERN NORTH
CAROLINA.

EVEN THE REMMANTS OF TROPICAL STORMS CAN PRODUCE 
SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. FOR EXAMPLE...THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM
ALLISION PRODUCED SIGNIFICANT FLOODING IN HOUSTON TEXAS IN 2001 AND
THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM BILL PRODUCED SEVERAL TORNADOES IN
SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA IN 2003.

IT IS BEST TO FORMULATE A HURRICANE SAFETY PLAN LONG BEFORE A
HURRICANE ACTUALLY THREATENS YOUR COMMUNITY. WE WILL BEGIN
DISCUSSING THOSE SAFETY PLANS AND ASSOCIATED HURRICANE HAZARDS ON
MONDAY.

$$