(Feb. 14, 2007) - Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service joined Florida Governor Charlie Crist at a Hazardous Weather Awareness Week event at the Bay Vista Elementary School in St. Petersburg. In the wake of a recent tornado outbreak across central Florida, staffers at the National Weather Service forecast office in Ruskin provided students and teachers with presentations on the hazards of tornadoes -- including a tornado simulation chamber. The event also included guest readings, emergency vehicle tours and a tornado drill for all classrooms.

Scott Rayder, chief of staff for the NOAA Administrator, and Governor Crist both extolled the importance of having a NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards to alert citizens during natural or man-made emergencies. Holding a weather radio in his hand, the Governor said, "My friends in NOAA like this a lot. So, I like it a lot. It's important to have a system like this and to get a (family disaster) plan."

Officials from Florida's Divisions of Emergency Management, Education and Law Enforcement also participated in the Bay Vista event -- along with the Governor's staff, NOAA and the National Weather Service.

A series of strong tornadoes raked central Florida's Sumter, Lake and Volusia Counties during the early morning hours of February 2. Twenty people were killed, many more injured and widespread damage resulted. Since the tornadoes struck while most people were asleep, local officials believe the death toll might have been much worse if not for the fact that many citizens were alerted by weather radios. To learn more about NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, visit: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr.