National Weather Service / Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security

NEWS RELEASE

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK

Introduction to Severe Weather Awareness Week

Media contacts:

National Weather Service, Mr. Paul Flatt, (208) 334-9861

Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, Lt. Col. Tim Marsano, (208) 422-5268

Please embargo until Oct. 3

Topic for Sunday, Oct 3, 2004

Severe Weather Awareness Week introduction

The week of October 3-9 has been designated Winter Weather Awareness Week in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.  This is an excellent time for all individuals, families, businesses, schools, radio and television stations to review their winter storm preparedness plans.  It is especially important for all new arrivals to the Pacific Northwest to become familiar with the National Weather Service watch and warning definitions as well as winter safety procedures.

Each year, dozens of Americans die due to exposure to cold.  Major winter storms can last several days and be accompanied by high winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall, cold temperatures and various forms of flooding.  Heavy snow in the mountains is important for the ski industry and for filling up reservoirs. However, winter storms also produce travel dangers and can result in life threatening conditions. 

To help our communities learn more about these dangers, the National Weather Service will issue public information statements throughout the week to discuss:

Monday          Winter weather safety and terminology

Tuesday         What are outlooks / watches / warnings /Advisories

Wednesday                     Snow / ice / avalanche / blizzards

Thursday                 Floods

Friday                   Wind storms

Anyone who needs information on winter storms should contact the nearest National Weather Service office.

 

IDAHO

OREGON

        MEDFORD         541-773-1067    www.wrh.noaa.gov/medford

        PENDLETON       541-276-4493    www.wrh.noaa.gov/pendleton

        PORTLAND                503-261-9246    www.wrh.noaa.gov/portland

WASHINGTON

        SEATTLE         206-526-6087    www.wrh.noaa.gov/seattle

        SPOKANE         509-244-6395    www.wrh.noaa.gov/spokane

 

This week is Winter Weather Awareness Week.  Now is the time to get prepared for winter weather.  Public information statements will be issued throughout the week to give safety information, and help you know how to respond when winter weather threatens.

You may learn more from our internet preparedness web pages at

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/index.shtml

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml

http://weather.gov/safety.php

http://www.bhs.idaho.gov/

This message is brought to you by your local National Weather Service staff and the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security.

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Lt. Col. Tim Marsano

State of Idaho Military Division /

      Idaho National Guard

Public Affairs Officer

208.422.5268

DSN 422.5268