CTZ001-013-MAZ001-025-NYZ032-033-038>043-047>054-058>061-063>066- 082>084-VTZ013>015-151200- PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY 800 AM EDT WED MAR 14 2012 ...FLOOD AWARENESS WEEK CONTINUES... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES REMIND YOU THAT MARCH 12 THROUGH MARCH 16 IS FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK. TODAY WE REVIEW INLAND FLOODING FROM TROPICAL SYSTEMS. IN AUGUST 2011...ABUNDANT MOISTURE FROM TROPICAL STORM IRENE BROUGHT HEAVY RAINFALL AND CATASTROPHIC FLOODING TO THE CATSKILLS AND SOUTHERN VERMONT. FOUR PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN EASTERN NEW YORK AND WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BY FLOODING FROM IRENE. FLOODING ALSO WASHED OUT HUNDREDS OF ROADS AND BRIDGES AND FORCED THE CLOSURE A PORTION OF THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY. A WEEK LATER THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE BROUGHT RENEWED FLOODING. BACK TO BACK DISASTERS FROM TROPICAL STORMS HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST. HURRICANES CONNIE AND DIANE BROUGHT BACK TO BACK HEAVY RAINS AND CATASTROPHIC FLOODING TO THE HUDSON BASIN...BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND LITCHFIELD COUNTY IN 1955. MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED FROM INLAND TROPICAL SYSTEM FLOODING THAN FROM HIGH WINDS AND STORM SURGE. ADVANCED PREPAREDNESS MEASURES IN COASTAL LOCATIONS...AND EVACUATIONS...HAVE MITIGATED TRAGIC LOSS OF LIFE FROM DANGEROUS WINDS AND STORM SURGE. ANYTIME A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL SYSTEM IS THREATENING THE EASTERN U.S... ALL RESIDENTS WHO LIVE OR WORK NEAR FLOOD PRONE AREAS NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO FLOOD WATCHES AND WARNINGS...AND TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. REMEMBER...TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN. TOMORROW WE TACKLE SNOWMELT AND ICE JAMS. NOAA WEATHER RADIO ALL HAZARDS OFFERS THE BEST WAY TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH WEATHER CONDITIONS WHETHER AT HOME...WORK OR PLAY. NOAA WEATHER RADIO PROVIDES CONTINUOUS BROADCASTS OF WEATHER INFORMATION...WITH IMMEDIATE RELAY OF ANY FLOOD WARNINGS. NOAAS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RECOMMENDS EVERYONE HAVE ACCESS TO A NOAA WEATHER RADIO. FOR THOSE OF YOU WITH INTERNET ACCESS...ALL OF OUR WEATHER INFORMATION...INCLUDING RIVER FORECASTS...IS AVAILABLE ONLINE. SIMPLY GO TO WWW.WEATHER.GOV AND THEN CLICK ON EASTERN NEW YORK OR ADJACENT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND. $$ DIRIENZO/WESTERGARD