Hurricane Predictions on the Rise
Since early June, Colorado State University’s renowned forecast
team is predicting that the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season,
which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, will see above-average activity.
Team members are calling for the possibility of 18 named storms,
including 10 hurricanes. Five of them could be intense. The
probability for at least one major hurricane landfall on the U.S.
East Coast (includes the Florida peninsula) is 51 percent, and 50
percent for the Gulf Coast.
That’s why the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office emergency management
team works closely with community members year-round to stress the
importance of being prepared for the threat of severe weather.
|
| Sheriff |
| Jeffrey J. Dawsy |
Maintaining not only a well-stocked disaster kit, but a well-rehearsed
family (and/or business) disaster plan is only one key to survival.
When faced with a major disaster, citizens should know it could be as
long as 72 hours before any kind of public assistance is available.
The Sheriff’s Office also maintains all-inclusive emergency management
pages on its official Web site. Just go to www.sheriffcitrus.org, and
click on “Emergency Management.” You’ll find useful information about
shelter locations, distribution sites and pet-friendly shelters; where
to pick up re-entry tags; plus what actions to take before, during and
after severe weather strikes.
Citizens with special needs, such as restricted mobility or certain medical
conditions, may register online at the site to receive critical assistance
should an emergency threaten.
Additionally, people can sign up for CodeRED, emergency management’s
Internet-based, high-speed telephone calling system. It’s a good idea
for everyone in the community to register their home, business and cell
phone numbers to receive emergency notifications about evacuation orders,
boil-water notices, etc.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office also was the first sheriff’s office in
Florida to offer CodeRED Weather Warning to its citizens. This completely
automated early warning system delivers severe weather notifications to
telephones within seconds of being issued by the National Weather Service.
Weather warnings include those for tornadoes, flash floods and severe
thunderstorms, but not hurricanes, since communities typically have several
days to prepare.
When moments count, the CodeRED Weather Warning system has the potential to
save lives. Everyone is urged to take advantage of its timesaving benefits.
Citizens will need to subscribe to this free-of-charge service by clicking
on the CodeRED link posted on the Sheriff’s Office Web site and following
the instructions.
People who do not have computer access may sign up for any of these free
notification services simply by calling (352) 746-6555.
Together, we can lessen the terrible impacts of any severe seasonal activity.