Mechanicsville, VA

                      may 27- June 2, 2012 is... .

           *****national hurricane preparedness week*****
   *****hurricane and flooding preparedness week in virginia*****
       *****hurricane awareness week in north carolina*****

        tropical storm/hurricane names for the 2012 season

        Alberto Beryl Chris Debby
        Ernesto Florence Gordon Helene
        Isaac Joyce Kirk Leslie
        Michael Nadine Oscar Patty
        Rafael Sandy Tony Valerie
        William

Hurricane season extends from June 1 until November 30. In the mid-
Atlantic region... 80 percent of hurricanes that affect this area
occur between early August and mid October. Below you will find
information on hurricane safety and preparedness.

   Today's topic - preparedness - it's about safety and security

hurricanes and tropical storms produce a variety of hazardous
weather... from wind to heavy rain to tornadoes to flooding and storm
surge. Deaths and injuries can result from these hazards and damage
can be devastating. However, there are things that each of US can do
to lessen our personal risk from hurricanes and tropical storms... as
well as make US safer and more secure during and after such storms.

1). Build a disaster supplies kit. Items such as bottled water for
drinking /one gallon per person per day/... non-perishable foods such
as canned meats and Peanut butter... and a battery operated radio and
flashlight with extra batteries are the staple items for your kit. A
first aid kit... extra prescription medications, and extra Cash should
also be part of the kit. Start building your kit early... so that you
can buy things when they are on sale and when they are in good supply.
Buying one or two bottles of water per week over one to 2 months will
be sufficient for most families for 3 to 7 days. An extra can of Tuna
or container of Peanut butter here and there... and a package of
batteries when they are on sale... and before you know it... your kit
is complete. You will now be able to sustain yourself and your family
for several days should the power go out... or you experience damage
or flooding from a tornado... hurricane or ice storm.

2). Keep the wind out. Coastal residents should be buying and cutting
plywood now to board up their windows in advance of a tropical storm
or hurricane. In addition, hurricane clips can be used to reinforce
the connection between the roof and the main frame of the house.
Keeping the roof on and keeping the wind out is the best way to
ensure your home experiences less damage than less well protected
homes.

3). Evacuate if asked to. Coastal residents who live in areas prone to
tidal flooding or storm surge should plan to evacuate if a hurricane
threatens the mid Atlantic coast. Evacuating early means that you beat
the traffic and have a better chance of finding lodging at your
destination.

Plan your evacuation Route as if you were planning a vacation. Make
sure that your destination is to the left of the projected storm track.
You will have to travel less distance to be out of harms way. For
residents of Hampton Roads and northeast North Carolina, that means
heading west for a storm heading northward... or heading southwest for
a hurricane approaching the coast from the southeast. Southern
Delmarva residents and visitors have more limited options until they
reach the Salisbury Maryland... Dover Delaware or Wilmington Delaware
areas.

4). Prepare and protect your pets. Most shelters and many hotels do
not allow pets. As a result extra preparation needs to be made for
those evacuees who have pets. Choose your destination early and make
sure the hotel, motel or shelter you pick will take pets.

5). If you decide to stay. Coastal residents who choose to ride out a
hurricane or tropical storm should first make sure they are not prone
to storm surge flooding. Storm surge is a major coastal killer, as we
saw along the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coast in 2005 with
Hurricane Katrina... and near Galveston Island in 2008 with Hurricane
Ike. You are better off evacuating if you live in a flood prone area.

If you are not prone to flooding... wind will still be a major threat
from any hurricane or tropical storm affecting the mid Atlantic coast.
Make sure you remain in the lowest part of your home, preferably near
the center... and away from windows. During the worst part of the
storm... go to an interior bathroom... closet or hallway... and cover
yourself with a coat or blanket to protext yourself from flying debris.

These are just a few of the tips that you can employ to make this
hurricane season less stressful, safer and more secure for you and
your family.

     *******************************************************

The National Weather Service in Wakefield will issue public
information statements through Saturday covering various topics
related to hurricanes and hurricane preparedness in Virginia.

The Virginia department of emergency management, the North Carolina
division of emergency management, the amercian Red Cross, the
Virginia Department of Transportation and the National Weather
Service appreciate any help that you can give US to raise public
awareness about The Hazards that hurricanes pose to residents of
the mid-Atlantic region, and what they can do now to be prepared.

Additional information on the 2012 hurricane awareness Campaign,
hurricane preparedness tips, and hurricanes in general, is available
on the internet from several sources:

1). Virginia dept. Of emergency management home page:
        http://www.Vaemergency.Gov/readyvirginia/stayinformed/hurricanes

2). North Carolina division of emergency management:
        http://www.Ncem.Org/

3). Maryland emergency management agency:
        http://www.Mema.State.MD.US/

4). National Weather Service Wakefield VA home page:
        http://weather.Gov/akq

5). National Weather Service Sterling VA home page:
        http://weather.Gov/lwx

6). National Weather Service Blacksburg VA home page:
        http://weather.Gov/rnk

7). National Hurricane Center hurricane preparedness home page:
        http://www.Hurricanes.Gov/prepare - contains new videos
and podcasts!!!

8). Federal emergency management agency home page:
        http://www.Fema.Gov/hazard/hurricane/index.Shtm

9). American Red Cross home page:
        http://www.Redcross.Org/

10). Virginia department of transportation:
        http://www.Virginiadot.Org/travel/hurricane_default.Asp

Bill sammler
warning coordination meteorologist
National Weather Service Wakefield, VA