SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK
 
2008
 
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
 
A PROCLAMATION
 
     WHEREAS, in 2007, the National Weather Service in North Carolina issued 852 severe thunderstorm warnings, recorded 789 incidents of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and/or large hail, and issued 53 flash flood warnings; and
 
     WHEREAS, even in times of drought, damaging thunderstorms can strike quickly causing significant damage; and
 
     WHEREAS, lightning strikes are a significant threat in North Carolina, especially for people involved in outdoor recreational and sporting events; and
 
     WHEREAS, North Carolina is traditionally an active tornado state from March through May and last year had 12 tornadoes touchdown; and
 
     WHEREAS, people are less likely to be injured when they know what to do when a tornado warning is issued and severe weather conditions threaten; and
 
     WHEREAS, the average lead warning time for severe weather in 2007 was 18 minutes; and
 
     WHEREAS, citizens should listen to local radio, television, a weather channel or a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) radio for information on severe weather; and
 
     WHEREAS, families should have an emergency safety plan for home, school and work, including knowing where the safest locations are on their regularly-traveled routes; and
 
     WHEREAS, individuals should have a disaster supply kit on hand that contains a first-aid kit, a battery-powered radio, flashlight with extra batteries, canned and other non-perishable food, a hand-operated can opener, bottled water, sturdy shoes and work gloves; and
 
     WHEREAS, the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, the National Weather Service and the Department of Public Instruction have collaborated to inform and educate North Carolinians about how to stay safe in severe weather; and
 
     WHEREAS, Wednesday, March 5, is the designated day for tornado drills to be held statewide in schools, government buildings and private companies;
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL F. EASLEY, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim the week of March 2-8, 2008, as “SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK” in North Carolina, and call upon our citizens and interested groups to observe the week with appropriate activities that promote awareness of severe weather and how to stay safe.
 


MICHAEL F. EASLEY


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-eighth day of February in the year of our Lord two thousand and eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.