[BNAWX] Public Information Statement

[EMWIN Server]

NOUS44 KOHX 171526
PNSOHX
TNZ005>011-022>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-181200-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
1025 AM CDT TUE MAR 17 2009

...DAY 2 OF 2009 NATIONAL FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK...

YOUR NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) INVITES YOUR PARTICIPATION IN
ITS ANNUAL NATIONAL FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK...MARCH 16-20 2009.

TODAYS THEME IS "TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN" OR TADD. TADD IS AN
EFFORT TO INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DRIVING INTO
FLOODED ROADS OR WALKING IN FLOODED AREAS. TOO MANY PEOPLE DIE DUE
TO MISJUDGING THE POWER OF MOVING WATER OR THEIR INABILITY TO
NAVIGATE FLOODED AREAS. FLOODING CAN HAPPEN RAPIDLY DUE TO
TORRENTIAL RAINS FROM THUNDERSTORMS OR SLOWLY DUE TO RAINFALL EVENTS
THAT IMPACT A LARGE AREA.

IT ONLY TAKES SIX INCHES OF WATER FOR A VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTACT WITH
THE ROAD SURFACE AND MOST VEHICLES CAN BE SWEPT AWAY IN 18 TO 24
INCHES OF WATER. SADLY...MANY DEATHS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY
SIMPLY TURNING AROUND. A CANCELED...DELAYED OR REROUTED TRIP IS
WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT.

SOME ITEMS TO CONSIDER TO INCREASE YOUR FLOOD SAFETY...

- GET OR STAY ON HIGHER GROUND...AVOID LOW SPOTS...IN THE ROAD OR
  OTHERWISE.
- TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN. THIS MAY MEAN CANCELING...DELAYING OR
  REROUTING A TRIP IF IT IS ON A FLOODED ROAD.
- FLOODED ROADS MAY BE TEMPORARILY BLOCKED WITH A BARRICADE OR A
  SIGN THAT SAYS "TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN." DO NOT DRIVE AROUND OR
  MOVE THE BARRICADE.
- A FLOODED ROAD MAY HAVE HIDDEN DANGERS...SUCH AS WASHED OUT ROAD
  SURFACES OR UNDERWATER OBSTRUCTIONS.
- DONT CAMP NEAR THE RIVER IF THERE IS A FLASH FLOOD THREAT.
- BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE
  FLOOD DANGERS.

TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN IS A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE AND THE FEDERAL ALLIANCE FOR SAFE HOMES (FLASH).

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT AHPS AND FLOOD SAFETY CHECK OUT
THESE HELPFUL LINKS:

WWW.WATER.WEATHER.GOV

WWW.WEATHER.GOV/FLOODSAFETY/

WWW.WEATHER.GOV/NASHVILLE

$$

LAROSA




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