NOUS42 KILM 270854
PNSILM

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
455 AM EDT FRI MAY 27 2011
 
THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL HURRICANE AWARENESS WEEK. IT IS TIME FOR YOU 
TO PREPARE FOR THE 2011 HURRICANE SEASON. THE ATLANTIC HURRICANE 
SEASON BEGINS EACH YEAR ON JUNE 1ST AND ENDS NOVEMBER 30TH. BEING 
PREPARED CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN YOUR ABILITY TO COPE WHEN A 
STORM THREATENS.

TODAYS TOPIC IS DISASTER PREVENTION.

A HURRICANE IS A NATURAL PROCESS. WHAT MAKES IT A DISASTER IS PEOPLE 
AND COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE NOT TAKEN THE PROPER STEPS TO KEEP DAMAGE 
TO A MINIMUM. DISASTERS OCCUR TO SOME AND NOT TO OTHERS...DEPENDING 
ON HOW PREPARED THEY ARE.

YOU MUST PLAN FOR DIFFICULT TIMES...NATURAL AND OTHERWISE...AND 
HURRICANES ARE JUST ONE OF MANY THAT CAN OCCUR. CONTACT THE RED 
CROSS...COUNTY OR STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT...OR THE NATIONAL 
WEATHER SERVICE FOR ASSISTANCE IN DISASTER PLANNING.

KNOW HOW VULNERABLE YOUR HOME IS TO STORM SURGE, FLOODING, AND 
STRONG WINDS. LOCATE A SAFE ROOM OR THE SAFEST AREA IN YOUR HOME FOR 
EACH HURRICANE HAZARD. DETERMINE THE SAFEST EVACUATION ROUTE IF YOU 
LIVE IN AN AREA THAT IS LIKELY TO BE EVACUATED. PLAN TO EVACUATE IF 
YOU LIVE IN A MOBILE HOME OR HIGH-RISE BUILDING...OR LIVE ON THE 
COASTLINE...AN OFFSHORE ISLAND...OR ON A FLOOD PLAIN. MAKE A PLAN 
FOR WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR PETS SHOULD YOU NEED TO EVACUATE.

WHEN A HURRICANE WATCH IS ISSUED...MONITOR YOUR NOAA WEATHER RADIO. 
MAKE SURE VEHICLES ARE FULL OF GAS AND READY TO GO. HAVE ENOUGH CASH 
AND FOOD TO LAST 7 DAYS AND AT LEAST 7 GALLONS OF WATER PER PERSON. 
CHECK FIRST AID SUPPLIES AND BE SURE TO HAVE AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF 
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS. STOCK UP ON BATTERIES FOR YOUR NOAA WEATHER 
RADIO AND FLASHLIGHTS. 

CLEAR YOUR YARD OF LAWN FURNITURE AND OTHER LOOSE...LIGHTWEIGHT 
OBJECTS...SUCH AS GARBAGE CANS...GARDEN TOOLS...AND BASKETBALL GOALS.

WHEN WARNED FOR A HURRICANE...COMPLETE PREPARATION ACTIVITIES...SUCH 
AS PUTTING UP STORM SHUTTERS...AND STORING LOOSE OBJECTS...BEFORE 
THE STORM ARRIVES.

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY LOCAL OFFICIALS. LEAVE IMMEDIATELY IF 
AN EVACUATION IS ORDERED. IF EVACUATING...LEAVE EARLY...IN DAYLIGHT 
IF POSSIBLE. STAY WITH FRIENDS OR RELATIVES...AT AN INLAND 
MOTEL...OR GO TO A PUBLIC SHELTER. MAKE SURE YOU BRING YOUR 
IMPORTANT RECORDS. ENSURE RELATIVES AND FRIENDS KNOW WHERE YOU WILL 
BE STAYING. 

IF STAYING AT HOME...TURN THE REFRIGERATOR TO MAX COLD AND OPEN ONLY
WHEN NECESSARY. TURN OFF PROPANE TANKS. UNPLUG SMALL APPLIANCES. 
FILL BATHTUBS AND LARGE CONTAINERS WITH WATER. SECURE AND BRACE 
EXTERNAL DOORS.

IF WINDS BECOME STRONG...STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS EVEN IF 
THEY ARE COVERED. CLOSE ALL INTERIOR DOORS. GO TO AN INTERIOR 
FIRST-FLOOR ROOM...BATHROOM...CLOSET...OR HALLWAY. GET UNDER A 
MATTRESS...TABLE OR OTHER STURDY OBJECT.

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