Tropical Storm in Florida, August 27 to 29, 2005

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
745 PM CDT SAT AUG 27 2005

.SHORT TERM...(TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY)...THE LONG AWAITED POLEWARD
MOTION TO DANGEROUS HURRICANE KATRINA IS BEGINNING AS LATEST
NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER ADVISORIES ALONG WITH SATELLITE TRENDS AND
OTHER OBSERVATIONS...INDICATE A WEST NORTHWEST MOTION THIS EVENING.
KATRINAS SATELLITE REPRESENTATION TONIGHT CONTINUES TO IMPROVE AND
EXPAND. BUOY 42003 OVER THE MID GULF HAS RECENTLY REPORTED A WIND
GUST TO 66 KTS/76 MPH IN A SPIRAL BAND THAT PASSED ACROSS IT.

UPDATE THIS EVENING IS TO ADD ALL OF SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES
IN AN INLAND HURRICANE WATCH AND PORTIONS OF THE INTERIOR OF
SOUTHWEST ALABAMA IN AN INLAND TROPICAL STORM WATCH. NO CHANGES TO
THE HURRICANE WATCH AND WILL MAINTAIN HIGH SURF ADVISORIES ALONG ALL
OF THE COASTAL COUNTIES. /10

.......................PREVIOUS DISCUSSION........................

HAVE GONE WITH LOW POPS TONIGHT...BUT OUTER BANDS WILL BEGIN TO
AFFECT THE AREA ON SUNDAY...WITH COVERAGE PROGRESSIVELY INCREASING
THROUGH MONDAY AS KATRINA MAKES LANDFALL IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA.
WENT WITH HPC QPF GRIDS FOR KATRINA AS COORDINATED WITH ADJACENT
OFFICES. /29

&&

.LONG TERM (WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY)...GENERALLY DRY CONDITIONS
FOLLOW FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FORECAST IN THE WAKE OF KATRINA
EXCEPT FOR SMALL POPS DURING DAYTIME PERIODS. TEMPERATURES WILL BE A
FEW DEGREES ABOVE SEASONABLE LEVELS. /29

&&

.MARINE...WINDS AND SEAS WILL STEADILY BUILD THROUGH MONDAY AS
HURRICANE KATRINA APPROACHES THE LA/MS COASTLINE. ALTHOUGH THE EYE
OF HURRICANE KATRINA IS EXPECTED TO MOVE ONSHORE NEAR THE MOUTH OF
THE MS RIVER TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS WILL BE LIKELY OVER MUCH OF
THE MARINE AREA BEGINNING EARLY SUNDAY NIGHT. WITH THIS EXPECT WIND
GUSTS UP TO 55 KTS OVER THE AL WATERS AND 45 KTS OVER THE FL WATERS
BY EARLY MONDAY CONTINUING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. WINDS AND SEAS WILL
GRADUALLY SUBSIDE TUE THROUGH WED AS THE TROPICAL CYCLONE MOVES
INLAND.  /32

&&

.FIRE...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRECEDE KATRINA ON SUNDAY AND
BECOMING MORE NUMEROUS SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY AS THE STORM MOVES
ONSHORE. INCREASING EASTERLY WINDS WILL TURN MORE SOUTHERLY AND
SUBSIDE AS KATRINA MOVES AWAY TUESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY.  AFTERNOON
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL REMAIN ABOVE CRITICAL LEVELS THROUGH THE
END OF NEXT WEEK.  DISPERSIONS WILL BE VERY HIGH DUE TO THE WIND
FIELD GENERATED BY KATRINA. /29

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
MOBILE      75  89  77  87 /  20  70  80  90
PENSACOLA   78  88  78  87 /  30  70  80  80
DESTIN      78  88  78  86 /  30  70  80  80
EVERGREEN   73  91  75  87 /  10  60  70  80
WAYNESBORO  72  92  76  85 /  10  50  70  90
CAMDEN      73  93  75  87 /  10  50  70  80

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...HURRICANE WATCH ALZ063-064-GMZ630-650-670.
     HIGH SURF ADVISORY ALZ063-064.
     INLAND HURRICANE WATCH ALZ061-062.
     INLAND TROPICAL STORM WATCH ALZ051>053.
FL...HIGH SURF ADVISORY FLZ002-004-006.
     SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT GMZ655-675.
MS...INLAND HURRICANE WATCH MSZ067-075-076-078-079.

&&

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
847 PM CDT SAT AUG 27 2005

ALZ051>064-FLZ001>006-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-281000-
BALDWIN COASTAL-BALDWIN INLAND-BUTLER-CHOCTAW-CLARKE-CONECUH-
COVINGTON-CRENSHAW-ESCAMBIA-ESCAMBIA COASTAL-ESCAMBIA INLAND-GEORGE-
GREENE-MOBILE COASTAL-MOBILE INLAND-MONROE-OKALOOSA COASTAL-
OKALOOSA INLAND-PERRY-SANTA ROSA COASTAL-SANTA ROSA INLAND-STONE-
WASHINGTON-WAYNE-WILCOX-
847 PM CDT SAT AUG 27 2005

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI AND THE EXTREME WESTERN PORTION OF THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT...

SWELLS MOVING NORTHWEST FROM HURRICANE KATRINA WILL RESULT IN HIGHER
SURF ALONG THE BEACHES OF ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA TODAY AND
TONIGHT.  THIS IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED
RISK OF DEADLY RIP CURRENTS IN THE SURF AS WELL THROUGH TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...

.DANGEROUS HURRICANE KATRINA IS FORECAST TO MAKE LANDFALL ALONG THE
NORTH CENTRAL GULF COAST...NEAR GRANDE ISLE LOUISIANA AROUND NOON ON
MONDAY. ON THIS TRACK...STRONG WINDS...TORRENTIAL RAINFALL...AND
DANGEROUS STORM SURGE FLOODING IS FORECAST TO IMPACT THE AREA
MONDAY. MANY UNCERTAINTIES STILL EXIST WITH THE FORECAST TRACK OF
KATRINA. THE EVENTUAL LANDFALL OF THE DANGEROUS CORE OF KATRINA...
CAPABLE OF PRODUCING EXTENSIVE TO EXTREME DAMAGE COULD BE ANYWHERE
FROM SOUTHERN LOUISIANA TO SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...THE COASTAL AREAS
OF ALABAMA OR THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE.  ALL INTERESTS ALONG THE
CENTRAL GULF COAST REGION SHOULD STAY TUNED TO THE LATEST FORECASTS
AND ADVISORIES ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AND THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE CONCERNING THIS DANGEROUS
HURRICANE.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS IS CURRENTLY IN
PROGRESS FOR HURRICANE OPERATIONS.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
5 PM CDT SAT AUG 27 2005

ALZ051>064-FLZ001>006-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-280315-
BALDWIN COASTAL-BALDWIN INLAND-BUTLER-CHOCTAW-CLARKE-CONECUH-
COVINGTON-CRENSHAW-ESCAMBIA-ESCAMBIA COASTAL-ESCAMBIA INLAND-GEORGE-
GREENE-MOBILE COASTAL-MOBILE INLAND-MONROE-OKALOOSA COASTAL-
OKALOOSA INLAND-PERRY-SANTA ROSA COASTAL-SANTA ROSA INLAND-STONE-
WASHINGTON-WAYNE-WILCOX-

...HURRICANES...THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE...DURING AND AFTER THE
STORM...

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HURRICANE WATCH AND
A WARNING.

A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT A HURRICANE HAS BECOME A THREAT TO
COASTAL AREAS...AND IS USUALLY ISSUED 24 TO 36 HOURS BEFORE EXPECTED
LANDFALL.  EVERYONE COVERED BY A WATCH SHOULD LISTEN FOR CURRENT
ADVISORIES...AND ACT PROMPTLY IF A WARNING IS ISSUED.

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE FORCE WINDS OF 74 MPH OR
GREATER...AS WELL AS HIGH AND ROUGH SEAS...ARE EXPECTED IN A SPECIFIC
COASTAL AREA WITHIN 24 HOURS.

PRECAUTIONARY ACTIONS SHOULD BEGIN IMMEDIATELY WHENEVER A WARNING IS
ISSUED.

BEFORE THE STORM...

STAY INFORMED BY MONITORING THE LATEST HURRICANE ADVISORIES.  LISTEN
TO RADIO AND TELEVISION REPORTS...AS WELL AS NOAA WEATHER RADIO TO
GET THE LATEST ADVISORY UPDATES.

LISTEN CAREFULLY TO LOCAL OFFICIALS AND EVACUATE THE AREA IF TOLD TO
DO SO.  LEAVE LOW LYING OR COASTAL AREAS...AS WELL AS OFFSHORE
ISLANDS.  THESE ARE THE LOCATIONS MOST PRONE TO STORM SURGE.  THE
STORM SURGE IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL
STORM.  THE SURGE IS A DOME OF WATER THAT COMES ACROSS THE COAST AS
THE STORM MAKES LANDFALL.  WATER LEVELS CAN RANGE FROM 5 FEET TO AS
MUCH AS 25 FEET ABOVE NORMAL SEA LEVEL.  SUPERIMPOSED ON THIS HIGH
STORM TIDE ARE LARGE WIND DRIVEN WAVES.  NINE OUT OF TEN DEATHS
RESULTING FROM HURRICANES HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN DUE TO STORM SURGE.
IF YOU LIVE CLOSE TO THE COAST IN A MOBILE HOME YOU SHOULD EVACUATE
TO A MORE SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER...EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT IN A STORM SURGE
PRONE AREA.

IF EVACUATION IS NOT REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED...STAY AT HOME IF YOUR
HOUSE IS STURDY AND ON HIGH GROUND.  IF YOUR PLANS CALL FOR
EVACUATION...BE PREPARED TO GO TO SHELTERS...TO A NEARBY FRIENDS OR
RELATIVES HOME...OR TO CITIES WELL INLAND AWAY FROM THE STORM.  IF
UTILIZING OFFICIAL SHELTERS...LEARN THEIR LOCATIONS BEFOREHAND AND
THE MOST DIRECT SAFE ROUTES TO GET TO THE SHELTER.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING SUPPLIES...

OBTAIN A PORTABLE BATTERY OPERATED RADIO ALONG WITH A FRESH SUPPLY OF
BATTERIES.  A RADIO WILL BE ONE OF YOUR MOST USEFUL SOURCES OF
INFORMATION.

OBTAIN SEVERAL FLASHLIGHTS WITH FRESH BATTERIES.  USE OF CANDLES FOR
LIGHTING IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR SAFETY REASONS.

HAVE ENOUGH EXTRA BATTERIES TO LAST FOR SEVERAL DAYS.  THERE MAY BE
NO ELECTRICITY AFTER THE STORM.

HAVE A FULL TANK OF GASOLINE IN YOUR AUTOMOBILE.  NEVER LET YOUR
VEHICLE GAS TANK BE LESS THAN HALF FULL DURING A HURRICANE OR
TROPICAL STORM THREAT.  ELECTRICALLY OPERATED GAS PUMPS MAY FAIL
DURING THE STORM.

OBTAIN CANNED GOODS AND NON PERISHABLE FOODS SUCH AS STORE PACKAGED
FOODS WHICH CAN BE PREPARED WITHOUT COOKING AND NEED NO
REFRIGERATION...AS THERE MAY BE NO ELECTRICITY OR GAS AFTER THE
STORM.  REFILL NEEDED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS.

OBTAIN CONTAINERS FOR DRINKING WATER.  HAVE CLEAN AIR TIGHT
CONTAINERS TO STORE A SUFFICIENT WATER SUPPLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS.  THE
CITY WATER SUPPLY WILL POSSIBLY BE INTERRUPTED OR CONTAMINATED.

OBTAIN MATERIALS FOR PROTECTING GLASS OPENINGS.  HAVE SHUTTERS OR
LUMBER FOR PROTECTING LARGE WINDOWS AND DOORS.  USE MASKING TAPE
ON SMALL WINDOWS.  PUTTING TAPE ON GLASS WINDOWS OR DOORS WILL NOT
PREVENT FLYING DEBRIS FROM BREAKING THE GLASS...BUT WILL MINIMIZE THE
SPREADING AND SHATTERING OF GLASS IF THE WINDOW DOES BREAK.

HAVE MATERIALS FOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS.  YOUR INSURANCE POLICY MAY
COVER THE COST OF MATERIALS USED IN TEMPORARY REPAIRS...SO KEEP ALL
RECEIPTS.  THESE WILL ALSO BE HELPFUL FOR ANY INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS.

MOOR YOUR BOAT SECURELY OR MOVE IT TO SAFE SHELTER.  SECURE OUTDOOR
OBJECTS OR BRING THEM INDOORS.  BRING PETS INDOORS.

DURING THE TROPICAL STORM OR HURRICANE...

STAY INDOORS AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS.  TAKE REFUGE IN A SMALL
INTERIOR ROOM.

BEWARE OF THE EYE OF THE STORM.  THIS CALM CENTER OF THE STORM CAN BE
DECEPTIVE DUE TO ITS CLEARING SKY AND RELATIVELY CALM WINDS.  THE
STORMS EYE IS BORDERED BY WINDS AND RAINS OF MAXIMUM FORCE THAT WILL
INCREASE RAPIDLY AND FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO THE WINDS AND
RAINS PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE EYE.  MINOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS MAY
BE POSSIBLE WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE EYE IF NECESSARY...BUT IN GENERAL
ONE SHOULD NOT VENTURE OUT OF SAFE SHELTER INTO THE EYE OF THE
STORM...AS RAPIDLY DETERIORATING CONDITIONS WILL FOLLOW.

AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED...

IF YOU NEED TO USE AN ALTERNATE SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY FOR YOUR
HOME...BE CAREFUL.  OBSERVE ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID CARBON
MONOXIDE POISONING...ELECTROCUTION...OR A FIRE.  PORTABLE GENERATORS
SHOULD ONLY BE OPERATED OUTDOORS IN A DRY AND WELL VENTILATED AREA.
NEVER OPERATE A PORTABLE GENERATOR INDOORS.

IF YOU EVACUATED TO A PUBLIC SHELTER...REMAIN THERE UNTIL YOU ARE
TOLD THAT IT IS SAFE TO RETURN HOME.  LISTEN TO YOUR LOCAL RADIO OR
TELEVISION FOR ADVICE AND INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS REGARDING FOOD...HOUSING...AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE.

DO NOT DRIVE UNLESS NECESSARY.  THE STREETS ARE LIKELY TO BE FILLED
WITH DEBRIS AND DOWNED POWER LINES.  ROADS SHOULD BE PRIMARILY
RESERVED FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND ESSENTIAL RESCUE AND RECOVERY
WORK.

AVOID LOOSE OR DANGLING WIRES AND REPORT THEM TO YOUR LOCAL ELECTRIC
COMPANY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  REPORT ALL BROKEN OR DAMAGED WATER...
SEWER...GAS...AND ELECTRICAL LINES.

HURRICANES MOVING INLAND CAN CAUSE SEVERE FLOODING DUE TO HEAVY
RAINFALL.  STAY AWAY FROM RIVER BANKS...CREEKS...OR STREAMS.  WHEN
DRIVING...DO NOT DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY...
THE WATER MAY BE TOO DEEP TO SAFELY NAVIGATE.  REMEMBER...LIVE TO
DRIVE ANOTHER DAY. TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.

IF YOU LEFT YOUR HOME FOR THE STORM...CAUTIOUSLY RE-ENTER UPON
RETURNING AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED.  CHECK FOR GAS LEAKS...FOOD
SPOILAGE...WATER AND WIND DAMAGE.

.....................................................................

DISCUSS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WITH YOUR FAMILY.  SHARE YOUR IDEAS
WITH FRIENDS...NEIGHBORS AND RELATIVES.  HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS IS A
JOB FOR EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY.

FOR ADDITIONAL HELP OR ASSISTANCE ON HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS...PLEASE
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE.  IT IS BEST TO FORMULATE YOUR PREPAREDNESS
PLAN WELL IN ADVANCE OF A STORM SYSTEM...DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST
MINUTE.

NOTE...FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE WEATHER EQUIPMENT AT THEIR HOMES OR
BUSINESSES... PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR EQUIPMENT IS WORKING PROPERLY.
AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED...PLEASE RELAY YOUR HIGHEST OBSERVED WIND
SPEED AND DIRECTION...YOUR LOWEST SEA LEVEL PRESSURE AND RAINFALL
TOTALS...AND THE TIMES OF OCCURRENCE OF THESE PARAMETERS...TO YOUR
MOBILE WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE AT 251-633-6443.

...HURRICANES...THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE...DURING AND AFTER THE
STORM...

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HURRICANE WATCH AND
A WARNING.

A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT A HURRICANE HAS BECOME A THREAT TO
COASTAL AREAS...AND IS USUALLY ISSUED 24 TO 36 HOURS BEFORE EXPECTED
LANDFALL.  EVERYONE COVERED BY A WATCH SHOULD LISTEN FOR CURRENT
ADVISORIES...AND ACT PROMPTLY IF A WARNING IS ISSUED.

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE FORCE WINDS OF 74 MPH OR
GREATER...AS WELL AS HIGH AND ROUGH SEAS...ARE EXPECTED IN A SPECIFIC
COASTAL AREA WITHIN 24 HOURS.

PRECAUTIONARY ACTIONS SHOULD BEGIN IMMEDIATELY WHENEVER A WARNING IS
ISSUED.

BEFORE THE STORM...

STAY INFORMED BY MONITORING THE LATEST HURRICANE ADVISORIES.  LISTEN
TO RADIO AND TELEVISION REPORTS...AS WELL AS NOAA WEATHER RADIO TO
GET THE LATEST ADVISORY UPDATES.

LISTEN CAREFULLY TO LOCAL OFFICIALS AND EVACUATE THE AREA IF TOLD TO
DO SO.  LEAVE LOW LYING OR COASTAL AREAS...AS WELL AS OFFSHORE
ISLANDS.  THESE ARE THE LOCATIONS MOST PRONE TO STORM SURGE.  THE
STORM SURGE IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL
STORM.  THE SURGE IS A DOME OF WATER THAT COMES ACROSS THE COAST AS
THE STORM MAKES LANDFALL.  WATER LEVELS CAN RANGE FROM 5 FEET TO AS
MUCH AS 25 FEET ABOVE NORMAL SEA LEVEL.  SUPERIMPOSED ON THIS HIGH
STORM TIDE ARE LARGE WIND DRIVEN WAVES.  NINE OUT OF TEN DEATHS
RESULTING FROM HURRICANES HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN DUE TO STORM SURGE.
IF YOU LIVE CLOSE TO THE COAST IN A MOBILE HOME YOU SHOULD EVACUATE
TO A MORE SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER...EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT IN A STORM SURGE
PRONE AREA.

IF EVACUATION IS NOT REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED...STAY AT HOME IF YOUR
HOUSE IS STURDY AND ON HIGH GROUND.  IF YOUR PLANS CALL FOR
EVACUATION...BE PREPARED TO GO TO SHELTERS...TO A NEARBY FRIENDS OR
RELATIVES HOME...OR TO CITIES WELL INLAND AWAY FROM THE STORM.  IF
UTILIZING OFFICIAL SHELTERS...LEARN THEIR LOCATIONS BEFOREHAND AND
THE MOST DIRECT SAFE ROUTES TO GET TO THE SHELTER.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING SUPPLIES...

OBTAIN A PORTABLE BATTERY OPERATED RADIO ALONG WITH A FRESH SUPPLY OF
BATTERIES.  A RADIO WILL BE ONE OF YOUR MOST USEFUL SOURCES OF
INFORMATION.

OBTAIN SEVERAL FLASHLIGHTS WITH FRESH BATTERIES.  USE OF CANDLES FOR
LIGHTING IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR SAFETY REASONS.

HAVE ENOUGH EXTRA BATTERIES TO LAST FOR SEVERAL DAYS.  THERE MAY BE
NO ELECTRICITY AFTER THE STORM.

HAVE A FULL TANK OF GASOLINE IN YOUR AUTOMOBILE.  NEVER LET YOUR
VEHICLE GAS TANK BE LESS THAN HALF FULL DURING A HURRICANE OR
TROPICAL STORM THREAT.  ELECTRICALLY OPERATED GAS PUMPS MAY FAIL
DURING THE STORM.

OBTAIN CANNED GOODS AND NON PERISHABLE FOODS SUCH AS STORE PACKAGED
FOODS WHICH CAN BE PREPARED WITHOUT COOKING AND NEED NO
REFRIGERATION...AS THERE MAY BE NO ELECTRICITY OR GAS AFTER THE
STORM.  REFILL NEEDED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS.

OBTAIN CONTAINERS FOR DRINKING WATER.  HAVE CLEAN AIR TIGHT
CONTAINERS TO STORE A SUFFICIENT WATER SUPPLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS.  THE
CITY WATER SUPPLY WILL POSSIBLY BE INTERRUPTED OR CONTAMINATED.

OBTAIN MATERIALS FOR PROTECTING GLASS OPENINGS.  HAVE SHUTTERS OR
LUMBER FOR PROTECTING LARGE WINDOWS AND DOORS.  USE MASKING TAPE
ON SMALL WINDOWS.  PUTTING TAPE ON GLASS WINDOWS OR DOORS WILL NOT
PREVENT FLYING DEBRIS FROM BREAKING THE GLASS...BUT WILL MINIMIZE THE
SPREADING AND SHATTERING OF GLASS IF THE WINDOW DOES BREAK.

HAVE MATERIALS FOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS.  YOUR INSURANCE POLICY MAY
COVER THE COST OF MATERIALS USED IN TEMPORARY REPAIRS...SO KEEP ALL
RECEIPTS.  THESE WILL ALSO BE HELPFUL FOR ANY INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS.

MOOR YOUR BOAT SECURELY OR MOVE IT TO SAFE SHELTER.  SECURE OUTDOOR
OBJECTS OR BRING THEM INDOORS.  BRING PETS INDOORS.

DURING THE TROPICAL STORM OR HURRICANE...

STAY INDOORS AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS.  TAKE REFUGE IN A SMALL
INTERIOR ROOM.

BEWARE OF THE EYE OF THE STORM.  THIS CALM CENTER OF THE STORM CAN BE
DECEPTIVE DUE TO ITS CLEARING SKY AND RELATIVELY CALM WINDS.  THE
STORMS EYE IS BORDERED BY WINDS AND RAINS OF MAXIMUM FORCE THAT WILL
INCREASE RAPIDLY AND FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO THE WINDS AND
RAINS PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE EYE.  MINOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS MAY
BE POSSIBLE WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE EYE IF NECESSARY...BUT IN GENERAL
ONE SHOULD NOT VENTURE OUT OF SAFE SHELTER INTO THE EYE OF THE
STORM...AS RAPIDLY DETERIORATING CONDITIONS WILL FOLLOW.

AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED...

IF YOU NEED TO USE AN ALTERNATE SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY FOR YOUR
HOME...BE CAREFUL.  OBSERVE ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID CARBON
MONOXIDE POISONING...ELECTROCUTION...OR A FIRE.  PORTABLE GENERATORS
SHOULD ONLY BE OPERATED OUTDOORS IN A DRY AND WELL VENTILATED AREA.
NEVER OPERATE A PORTABLE GENERATOR INDOORS.

IF YOU EVACUATED TO A PUBLIC SHELTER...REMAIN THERE UNTIL YOU ARE
TOLD THAT IT IS SAFE TO RETURN HOME.  LISTEN TO YOUR LOCAL RADIO OR
TELEVISION FOR ADVICE AND INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS REGARDING FOOD...HOUSING...AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE.

DO NOT DRIVE UNLESS NECESSARY.  THE STREETS ARE LIKELY TO BE FILLED
WITH DEBRIS AND DOWNED POWER LINES.  ROADS SHOULD BE PRIMARILY
RESERVED FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND ESSENTIAL RESCUE AND RECOVERY
WORK.

AVOID LOOSE OR DANGLING WIRES AND REPORT THEM TO YOUR LOCAL ELECTRIC
COMPANY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  REPORT ALL BROKEN OR DAMAGED WATER...
SEWER...GAS...AND ELECTRICAL LINES.

HURRICANES MOVING INLAND CAN CAUSE SEVERE FLOODING DUE TO HEAVY
RAINFALL.  STAY AWAY FROM RIVER BANKS...CREEKS...OR STREAMS.  WHEN
DRIVING...DO NOT DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY...
THE WATER MAY BE TOO DEEP TO SAFELY NAVIGATE.  REMEMBER...LIVE TO
DRIVE ANOTHER DAY. TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.

IF YOU LEFT YOUR HOME FOR THE STORM...CAUTIOUSLY RE-ENTER UPON
RETURNING AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED.  CHECK FOR GAS LEAKS...FOOD
SPOILAGE...WATER AND WIND DAMAGE.

.....................................................................

DISCUSS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WITH YOUR FAMILY.  SHARE YOUR IDEAS
WITH FRIENDS...NEIGHBORS AND RELATIVES.  HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS IS A
JOB FOR EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY.

FOR ADDITIONAL HELP OR ASSISTANCE ON HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS...PLEASE
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE.  IT IS BEST TO FORMULATE YOUR PREPAREDNESS
PLAN WELL IN ADVANCE OF A STORM SYSTEM...DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST
MINUTE.

NOTE...FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE WEATHER EQUIPMENT AT THEIR HOMES OR
BUSINESSES... PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR EQUIPMENT IS WORKING PROPERLY.
AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED...PLEASE RELAY YOUR HIGHEST OBSERVED WIND
SPEED AND DIRECTION...YOUR LOWEST SEA LEVEL PRESSURE AND RAINFALL
TOTALS...AND THE TIMES OF OCCURRENCE OF THESE PARAMETERS...TO YOUR
MOBILE WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE AT 251-633-6443.