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NOUS42 KTAE 070819
PNSTAE
FLZ007>019-026>029-034-081100-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
600 AM EST THU FEB 7 2008

TODAY'S TOPICS FOR HAZARDOUS WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK ARE HURRICANES
AND FRESHWATER FLOODING.

THE TROPICAL SEASON FOR THE ATLANTIC BASIN AND GULF OF MEXICO 
COMMENCES JUNE 1 AND CONCLUDES NOVEMBER 30...WITH A PEAK PERIOD FROM 
LATE AUGUST TO EARLY OCTOBER. THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER ISSUES 
TROPICAL STORM WATCHES AND WARNINGS WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS OF 39 TO 73 
MPH ARE EXPECTED WITHIN 24 TO 36 HOURS. HURRICANE WATCHES AND 
WARNINGS ARE ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS OF 74 MPH OR GREATER ARE 
EXPECTED WITHIN 24 TO 36 HOURS.

POPULATION GROWTH ALONG THE GULF AND ATLANTIC COASTS...AND LACK OF
EXPERIENCE TO PAST TROPICAL SYSTEMS HAS AUGMENTED THE NEED FOR
INDIVIDUAL PREPAREDNESS AND EDUCATION. SOME COMMON PREPARATION RULES
INCLUDE HAVING A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN...STOCKING UP ON SUPPLIES...
MONITORING NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND FOLLOWING ADVICE FROM LOCAL
AUTHORITIES.

THE IMPACTS OF FRESHWATER FLOODS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE AS 
POPULATION AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FLOURISHES. ALTHOUGH STORM SURGE HAS
THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF LIFE...INLAND FRESHWATER FLOODING 
FROM TROPICAL SYSTEMS HAS ACCOUNTED FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER OF DEATHS
SINCE 1970.

RESIDENTS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THEIR LOCATION WITH RESPECT TO 
FLOOD-PRONE AREAS...KNOW EVACUATION ROUTES...DO NOT DRIVE OR WALK 
INTO WATER OF UNKNOWN DEPTH...AND MONITORING NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR 
FLOOD WATCHES AND WARNINGS. REMEMBER...AS LITTLE AS ONE FOOT OF 
MOVING WATER CAN CARRY MOST VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD. TURN 
AROUND...DON'T DROWN.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON HAZARDOUS WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK...
VISIT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEB SITE AT
WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/TAE...THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AT WWW.FLORIDADISASTER.ORG...OR CONTACT YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY.

FRIDAY'S TOPICS FOR HAZARDOUS WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK WILL BE
TEMPERATURE EXTREMES...UV RADIATION AND WILDFIRES.

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