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COUNTDOWN TO HURRICANE SEASON 2002
National Hurricane Center ^ | May 2002 | President George W. Bush

Posted on 05/18/2002 7:20:15 PM PDT by varina davis

National Hurricane Awareness Week, 2002 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation

Hurricanes can devastate our communities, endangering thousands of human lives and causing billions of dollars in property damage. Stemming from the ocean, the atmosphere, and heat from the sea, hurricanes bring with them the potential for high winds, tornadoes, torrential rains, flooding, and ocean water storm surges. Their fierce and destructive power requires that we all take steps to reduce our vulnerability to this natural hazard.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an average of ten tropical storms develop annually over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Every year, an average of six of these storms grow strong enough to become hurricanes. Approximately five hurricanes strike the United States coastline every 3 years. Out of these, two will have winds above 111 miles per hour, qualifying them as major hurricanes. The resulting high winds and high waves can seriously damage homes, businesses, public buildings, and critical infrastructure, and ultimately have the potential to injure people and claim lives.

To help avoid damage and help ensure the public's safety from hurricane hazards, FEMA recommends a variety of preventative steps for both individuals and communities. For example, construction measures can help minimize property destruction. These include installing storm shutters over exposed glass and adding hurricane straps to hold the roof of a structure to its walls and foundation. More complex measures, such as elevating coastal homes and businesses, can further reduce a property's susceptibility. In addition, communities can reduce their vulnerability by adopting wind- and flood-resistant building codes and by implementing sound land-use planning.

More than 50 million people live along hurricane-prone coastlines in the United States, with millions of tourists visiting these areas annually. During National Hurricane Awareness Week, I encourage those who live in coastal areas, as well as all concerned Americans, to be more vigilant in preparing for hurricanes and other natural disasters before they occur. By promoting awareness of hurricane hazards and helping with relief efforts when these powerful storms strike, we can reduce the risks of hurricane damage and help our neighbors recover more quickly from their devastating effects. With preparation, forecasting, and coordination, we can save lives and improve our Nation's ability to withstand the impact of hurricanes.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 19 through May 25, 2002, as National Hurricane Awareness Week. I call on government agencies, private organizations, schools, news media, and residents in hurricane-prone areas to share information about hurricane preparedness and response in order to help prevent storm damage and save lives.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

GEORGE W. BUSH


TOPICS: Announcements; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: tropics
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This seems pertinent since the tropics are definitely heating up this weekend and the start of the 2002 hurricane season is days away on June 1.

Storm forecasting models are hinting at possible development of tropical disturbance in the south and/or southeast Gulf of Mexico within the next week.

Time for coastal Freepers to get disaster preparations in place for what might be a busy season.

1 posted on 05/18/2002 7:20:16 PM PDT by varina davis
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Yes but what is the list of NAMES?!
2 posted on 05/18/2002 8:01:24 PM PDT by lainie
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To: lainie
Yep. I demand DETAILS. Where are the shelters, when does the evacuation start, how much insurance should I buy? If Bush can't provide these then he has the "blood of innocent hurricane victims on his hands" with this lack of preparedness. I demand an investigation!
3 posted on 05/18/2002 8:05:44 PM PDT by Texasforever
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To: Texasforever
Ahhhh here we are!

Hurricane Basics

List of names for 2002:
Arthur
Bertha
Cristobal
Dolly
Edouard
Fay
Gustav
Hanna
Isidore
Josephine
Kyle
Lili
Marco
Nana
Omar
Paloma
Rene
Sally
Teddy
Vicky
Wilfred

Personally I think they should reconsider that "O" name..

4 posted on 05/18/2002 8:17:24 PM PDT by lainie
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Ain't the Internet great?
5 posted on 05/18/2002 8:17:48 PM PDT by lainie
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To: varina davis
Now if we care only get the local news "scare-casters" to stop crying hurricane every time it rains, we'll be ok.

Personally, I think those afternoon Florida thunderstorms scare all the Yankees : )

6 posted on 05/18/2002 8:22:41 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: Amelia; Teacup; Carolinamom; mykidsmom; kayak
It's bbbaaaacccckkkkk.
7 posted on 05/18/2002 8:23:54 PM PDT by Howlin
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To: lainie
It sure is.
8 posted on 05/18/2002 8:24:29 PM PDT by Howlin
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To: varina davis
Carolina Hurricanes bump. Here's looking at an NC Stanley Cup, and a couple of storms that make Charlotte nervous...
9 posted on 05/18/2002 8:26:53 PM PDT by gcraig
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To: stainlessbanner
...but not enough to send 'em back.
10 posted on 05/18/2002 8:28:49 PM PDT by Orbiter
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To: varina davis

Bush Knew About Hurricane Season But Failed To Act!


11 posted on 05/18/2002 8:32:21 PM PDT by Taxbilly
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To: varina davis
Oh Lord- here we go again. It's either Hurricane Season, Prepare for Hurricane Season, or Hurricane Season is Over But Let's Talk About Past Hurricanes Season! Look- here in N.O. we all know that no matter WHERE the hurricane is off the Coast of Africa it is going to get US! It knows we're here. And they're ALL 'devastating' and 'awesome' even though we don't bother to take our lawn chairs in for less than 75mph winds. The weatherboobs have sensationalized every pathetic little tropical system that holds together long enough to be named SO badly that the adjectives won't mean anything when attached to REAL dangerous storms. And anyone who has lived on the coast long enough knows the ones to worry about.
I'm surprised the roving reporters aren't already lashing themselves to trees to film street signs swaying in 'punishing, unleashed power of nature pounding the vulnerable coastal residents with 45mph winds'! LOL
IMO -if the coast is such a dangerous place to live, and we're all DOOMED, why are we here at all? Shouldn't sensible, caring governmental officials stop all construction, stop luring businesses and residents, and just evacuate all coastal communities permanently? With hurricane season as long as it is, and as much time as they say is needed to evacuate cities like N.O. ahead of a storm, we might just as well abandon the city from May till December!
I'm tired of the sensationalism re. hurricanes. My ancestors were here before there was advance warning of storms,and before there were levees and seawalls. The city didn't get overwhelmed by 30 feet of water then and if we're in WORSE shape now- after billions spent for protection- then living here is an even more stupid idea than the weather gurus say it is.
12 posted on 05/18/2002 8:49:10 PM PDT by ClearBlueSky
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To: stainlessbanner
I know what you mean, but I'd still rather have too many alerts than not enough. Over all, the meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center do a pretty good job -- given the variables of forecasting and the unpredictability of tropical storms.
13 posted on 05/18/2002 8:49:16 PM PDT by varina davis
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To: ClearBlueSky
I wouldn't trade living on the GOM for anything, but it doesn't hurt to at least be somewhat prepared. I wasn't during Elena '85 and learned a lesson. Besides, we weather buffs dearly love pondering the tropics. Stay safe in N.O.
14 posted on 05/18/2002 8:53:09 PM PDT by varina davis
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To: lainie
I remember that it was another Hurricane Bertha in 1996 that got me interested in hurricanes. I lived in California at the time so hurricanes weren't a threat. I now live in Eastern Mass. and my interest is now in what to do if a hurricane hits. By the way, they recycle name every six years unless the storm is severe. The bad ones' names are retired forever.
15 posted on 05/18/2002 8:55:40 PM PDT by baseballfanjm
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To: baseballfanjm
I meant recycle names.
16 posted on 05/18/2002 8:56:15 PM PDT by baseballfanjm
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Forecast calls for major Hurricane Parties!

Forecast for 2002 Forecast

Named Storms (NS) 12
Named Storm Days (NSD) 65
Hurricanes (H) 7
Hurricane Days (HD) 30
Intense Hurricanes (IH) 3
Intense Hurricane Days (IHD) 6
Hurricane Destruction Potential (HDP) 85
Net Tropical Cyclone Activity (NTC) 125

Probabilities for at least one or more major (category 3-4-5) hurricane landfall on each of the following costal areas:

1) Entire U.S. coastline - 75% (average for last century is 52%)
2) U.S. East Coast Including Peninsula Florida - 57% (average for last century is 31%)
3) Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle westward to Brownsville - 43% (average for last century is 30%)
4) Expected above-average major hurricane landfall risk in the Caribbean

*7 April 2002 source

17 posted on 05/18/2002 8:58:23 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: Taxbilly
Bush Knew About Hurricane Season But Failed To Act!

Yeah, but there was a hurricane in 1998 and Clinton did not do anything about it.

18 posted on 05/18/2002 9:03:35 PM PDT by Doe Eyes
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To: Howlin;Amelia;Teacup;Carolinamom;mykidsmom;kayak
Well ... at least you have a "season". In San Diego, it's always earthquake season.
19 posted on 05/18/2002 9:04:42 PM PDT by CyberAnt
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To: varina davis
Great, now that this has been posted the Piggly Wiggly is going to run out of bread and milk.
20 posted on 05/18/2002 9:07:28 PM PDT by aomagrat
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