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NOUS42 KTAE 210747
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ALZ065>069-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-221100-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
600 AM EST WED FEB 21 2007

TODAY'S TOPIC FOR SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IS TORNADOES.

THE STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL WILL BE CONDUCTED THIS MORNING BETWEEN 
910 AND 930 AM BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE...AND THE ALABAMA AND 
GEORGIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES. IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT 
WEATHER...THE DRILL WILL BE POSTPONED TO FRIDAY...FEBRUARY 23.
SCHOOLS...HOSPITALS...BUSINESSES...AND RESIDENTS ARE ASKED TO 
PARTICIPATE.

TORNADOES ARE VIOLENTLY ROTATING COLUMNS OF AIR THAT DESCEND FROM
THUNDERSTORMS TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. THEY VARY IN
SIZE...SHAPE AND INTENSITY. MOST TORNADOES ARE WEAK...LASTING A FEW
MINUTES AND PRODUCING WINDS OF 100 MPH OR LESS. HOWEVER...A FEW
ARE STRONG OR VIOLENT...CAN LAST OVER AN HOUR...AND PRODUCE WINDS
IN EXCESS OF 200 MPH. TORNADOES CAN MOVE VERY SLOWLY...OR AS FAST AS 
70 MPH. MOST FORM DURING THE SPRING AND FALL MONTHS...BETWEEN NOON 
AND 8 PM...BUT CAN DEVELOP ANYTIME.

A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES TO
FORM. A TORNADO WARNING MEANS A TORNADO HAS SEEN SIGHTED OR DETECTED
BY DOPPLER RADAR.

TORNADOES CAN FORM QUICKLY. YOU MAY HAVE ONLY A FEW SECONDS TO REACT
AND FIND SHELTER. WHEN A TORNADO THREATENS...YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION
CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE. KNOW WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO GO...

IN HOMES OR SMALL BUILDINGS...GO TO THE BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR
ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. GET UNDER SOMETHING STURDY.

STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS...DOORS AND OUTSIDE WALLS.

IN SCHOOLS...NURSING HOMES...HOSPITALS...FACTORIES AND SHOPPING
CENTERS...GO TO A PRE-DESIGNATED SHELTER LIKE AN INTERIOR HALLWAY
ON THE LOWEST FLOOR.

ABANDON MOBILE HOMES AND VEHICLES FOR A STRONG BUILDING. IF THERE IS
NO SHELTER NEARBY...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR DEPRESSION...
AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOODING.

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

THURSDAY'S TOPIC FOR SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK WILL BE LIGHTNING.

$$