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

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
500 AM EDT TUE MAY 30 2006

...HURRICANE AWARENESS WEEK CONTINUES THROUGH SATURDAY...

PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE BEFORE
THE SEASON BEGINS. HURRICANE SEASON OFFICIALLY BEGINS JUNE 1 AND
ENDS NOVEMBER 30. SAFETY TIPS WILL BE PRESENTED TODAY THAT SHOULD
BE ADDRESSED BEFORE THE SEASON BEGINS OR AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

BEFORE THE HURRICANE SEASON...KNOW THE RISKS IN YOUR AREA. KNOW YOUR
ELEVATION ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL. LEARN THE STORM SURGE HISTORY FOR
BARRIER ISLANDS AND OTHER COASTAL AREAS. 

LEARN EVACUATION ROUTES AND THE LOCATIONS OF OFFICIAL SHELTERS.
BE PREPARED TO MAKE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR PETS AND
DETERMINE WHERE TO STORE YOUR BOAT...IF NECESSARY.

REVIEW THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT...
SUCH AS FLASHLIGHTS...BATTERY POWERED RADIOS AND GENERATORS.

ENSURE THAT ENOUGH NON-PERISHABLE FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES ARE ON
HAND. 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.

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.

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

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