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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
600 AM EST MON MAR 21 2005 
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS DECLARED MARCH 21 THROUGH 26 FLOOD
SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON
WILL FEATURE A DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL TOPIC EACH DAY DURING THE 
AWARENESS WEEK. TODAY'S TOPIC: ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE
...AHPS FOR SHORT.
 
WHAT IS AHPS?

AHPS IS THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICES ONGOING EFFORT TO MODERNIZE 
OUR HYDROLOGIC SERVICES. AHPS WILL PROVIDE IMPROVED RIVER AND FLOOD 
FORECASTS AND WATER INFORMATION ACROSS AMERICA TO PROTECT LIFE AND 
PROPERTY AND ENSURE THE NATIONS ECONOMIC WELL BEING. AHPS GRAPHICAL 
PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE NWS 
HOMEPAGE...HTTP://WWW.NWS.NOAA.GOV/RIVERS_TAB.PHP

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 TO FIGHT A FLOOD. 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? 

$$

RAN