CONTACTS: Frank Lepore, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nat'l Hurricane Cntr. 5/5/95
(305)666-4612
Robert Chartuk, NWS Eastern Region
(516)244-0166
Chris Smith, NWS Southern Region
(817)334-2654
Using their hurricane reconnaissance aircraft as a "flying- classroom," scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will begin a tour of 10 storm-prone Atlantic coast cities on May 21 to emphasize the importance of preparing for the hurricane season.
NOAA, a Commerce Department agency, is inviting residents to view the aircraft and increase their awareness of hurricane warning and readiness efforts, as well as learn more about the vital role played by the media and local, state and federal agencies in emergency situations.
During the six-day tour, a team of NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross representatives will meet with the public, local safety officials and the news media to focus public attention on hurricane safety, according to team leader Ronald McPherson, who serves as director of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, parent agency of the National Hurricane Center.
"It's a public safety necessity that those living in storm- prone areas be familiar with our hurricane warning programs and the actions they must take in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane," McPherson stated. "Preparation is everyone's responsibility."
NOAA's P-3 Orion flying laboratory will be open to the public at each stop where town meetings and other activities will also be featured to engage communities in hurricane awareness, McPherson said.
The heavily instrumented, turbo-prop Lockheed aircraft is one of two operated by NOAA for hurricane tracking and oceanographic and atmospheric research. The planes are stationed at McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.
In addition to the P-3 Orions, the nation is served by WC-130 hurricane hunter airplanes flown by the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. While airborne, both types of aircraft can transmit detailed measurements on storm location via satellite to the Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., the nation's nerve center for tropical storm and hurricane warning information.
The Orion reconnaissance plane will be open for public inspection followed by "Town Meetings" at the following locations, dates and times:
--Portland, Maine (Portland International Jetport, General
Aviation Area)
Aircraft open to public (Sunday, May 21, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.)
"Town Meeting" at the Ramada Inn & Conference Center
Ballroom,
1230 Congress St., Portland (Sunday, May 21, 7:00 - 9:00
p.m.)
--Westhampton, New York (Gabrieski Airport, near terminal
building)
Aircraft open to public (Monday, May 22, 11:30 - 2:30 p.m.
"Town Meeting" at NY State Air National Guard Base
(Monday, May 22, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
--Quonset, Rhode Island (Quonset Airport, Air National Guard
facility) Aircraft open to public (Monday, May
22, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.)
"Town Meeting" at Wickford Middle School, North Kingstown,
RI
(Monday, May 22, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.)
--Salisbury, Maryland (Salisbury Airport, adjacent to the Md.
State Police Aviation Hangar)
Aircraft open to public (Tuesday, May 23, 12:00 - 3:00
p.m.)
"Town Meeting" inside the Md. State Police Aviation Hangar
(Tuesday, May 23, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
--Norfolk, Virginia (Norfolk Int'l Airport, near FedEx Terminal)
Aircraft open to public (Tuesday, May 23, 4:30 - 6:30
p.m.)
"Town Meeting" at Lake Wright Convention Center,
6280 Northampton Blvd., Norfolk.
(Tuesday, May 23, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.)
--Wilmington, North Carolina (New Hanover County Airport)
Aircraft open to public (Wednesday, May 24, 11:00 a.m. -
2:00 p.m.)
"Town Meeting" inside the Terminal Building,
(Wednesday, May 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
--Charleston, South Carolina (Charleston International Airport,
adjacent to New Charleston Aviation)
Aircraft open to public (Wednesday, May 24, 4:00 - 6:30
p.m.)
"Town Meeting" at Charleston Southern University
(Wednesday, May 24, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.)
--Jacksonville, Fla. (Naval Air Station, west of Hanger 117)
Aircraft open to public (Thursday, May 25, 11:00 a.m. -
2:00 p.m.)
"Town Meeting" at Quicktrans Building,
(Thursday, May 25, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
--Melbourne, Fla. (International Airport)
Aircraft open to public (Thursday, May 25, 4:00 - 6:30
p.m.)
"Town Meeting" at the Melbourne Auditorium
(Thursday, May 25, 7:00 -9:00 p.m.)
--Marathon, Fla. (Regional Airport)
Aircraft open to public (Friday, May 26, 10:00 a.m. -
1:00 p.m.)
"Town Meeting" at Monroe County Emergency Operations
Center,
U.S. 1 at mile marker 48
(Friday, May 26, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)