PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KEY WEST FL
700 AM EDT WED AUG 11 2004

...PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS TO TAKE DURING A HURRICANE WATCH...

THERE ARE SEVERAL ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP REDUCE THE DANGERS
POSED BY HURRICANES. FIRST...REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A
HURRICANE WATCH AND A HURRICANE WARNING.

A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS...INCLUDING WINDS
OF 74 MPH OR GREATER AND STORM SURGE...ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN 36 HOURS.

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY TO
OCCUR WITHIN 24 HOURS.

CURRENTLY...THE FLORIDA KEYS FROM CRAIG KEY THROUGH DRY TORTUGAS ARE
IN A HURRICANE WATCH. RESIDENTS AND VISITORS SHOULD FREQUENTLY
LISTEN TO RADIO...TELEVISION...AND ESPECIALLY NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR
OFFICIAL BULLETINS AND STATEMENTS ON TROPICAL STORM CHARLEY.

FUEL YOUR FAMILY VEHICLES...AND IF YOU WISH TO SECURE YOUR
BOAT...PLEASE DO SO DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS TODAY.

IF YOU LIVE IN A MOBILE HOME...INSPECT YOUR TIE-DOWNS AND BE
PREPARED TO RELOCATE TO A STRONGER BUILDING SHOULD A HURRICANE
WARNING BE ISSUED.

HAVE EXTRA CASH ON HAND...EVEN TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS OF 39 TO
73 MPH MAY CAUSE POWER OUTAGES...RENDERING AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINES
AND CREDIT CARDS USELESS.

BE PREPARED TO COVER ALL YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS WITH
SHUTTERS...STORM PANELS...OR PLYWOOD. BE READY TO SECURE YOUR HOME
OR BUSINESS SHOULD A HURRICANE WARNING BE ISSUED LATER TODAY.
RENTERS...CHECK WITH YOUR PROPERTY MANAGER OR LANDLORD FOR MORE
INFORMATION YOU MAY NEED TO SECURE YOUR UNIT.

CHECK YOUR HURRICANE SUPPLY KIT...BY MAKING SURE YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT
BATTERIES...CANNED FOOD...DRINKING WATER...FIRST-AID SUPPLIES AND
MEDICATIONS.

BRING INDOORS LIGHT WEIGHT OBJECTS AROUND YOUR HOME OR
BUSINESS...SUCH AS GARBAGE CANS...GARDEN TOOLS...TOYS...AND LAWN
FURNITURE.

FOR ADDITIONAL HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION...CHECK THE STATE
OF FLORIDA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WEBSITE AT www.FLORIDADISASTER.ORG