PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
FRI MAY 25 2007
 
THIS IS NATIONAL HURRICANE AWARENESS WEEK. IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO 
PREPARE FOR ANOTHER HURRICANE SEASON. HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS EACH 
YEAR ON JUNE 1ST AND ENDS NOVEMBER 30TH. BEING PREPARED CAN MAKE A 
BIG DIFFERENCE IN YOUR ABILITY TO COPE WITH THESE VIOLENT STORMS.

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.

WHEN A HURRICANE WATCH IS ISSUED...MONITOR YOUR NOAA WEATHER RADIO. 
MAKE SURE VEHICLES ARE FULL OF GAS AND READY TO GO. MAKE SURE YOU 
HAVE ENOUGH CASH TO LAST FOR A WEEK.

PREPARE TO COVER WINDOWS WITH SHUTTERS OR PLYWOOD. CHECK STOCKS OF 
CANNED FOOD...FIRST AID SUPPLIES...DRINKING WATER...AND MEDICATIONS.

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

PLAN TO EVACUATE IF YOU LIVE IN A MOBILE HOME...HIGH-RISE...OR LIVE 
ON THE COASTLINE...AN OFFSHORE ISLAND...OR A FLOOD PLAIN.

WHEN WARNED FOR A HURRICANE...COMPLETE PREPARATION ACTIVITIES...SUCH
AS PUTTING UP STORM SHUTTERS...STORING LOOSE OBJECTS...ETC.

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY LOCAL OFFICIALS. LEAVE IMMEDIATELY IF
AN EVACUATION IS ORDERED.  LEAVE MOBILE HOMES IN ANY CASE.
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. 

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. 

IF WINDS BECOME STRONG...STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS EVEN IF
THEY ARE COVERED. SECURE AND BRACE EXTERNAL DOORS. CLOSE ALL
INTERIOR DOORS.

GO TO AN INTERIOR FIRST-FLOOR ROOM...BATHROOM...CLOSET...OR
HALLWAY. GET UNDER A MATTRESS...TABLE OR OTHER STURDY OBJECT.