Statement as of 2:27 PM EST on March 08, 2014

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         severe weather awareness week in North Carolina
                         March 2 - March 8
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This week has been declared North Carolina's severe weather
awareness week for 2014. In addition... this week is also NOAA and
fema's National severe weather preparedness week.

Today's theme is: be a force of nature: North Carolina severe weather
threats and safety

Severe thunderstorms:
* the term severe thunderstorm refers to a thunderstorm producing hail
that is at least 1 inch in diameter... wind gusts to 58 mph or greater
... a tornado... or any combination of the three.
* The severe thunderstorm season in eastern North Carolina typically
starts in late March or in April and does not end until late in the
fall. Some of the most damaging storms occur from March through early
July.

Large hail:
* the large hail season in eastern North Carolina typically runs from
March through early July... typically peaking in may.
* While hail is not usually life threatening... these large chunks of
ice can cause serious damage to roofs... siding... windows...
automobiles... and crops.
* To stay safe from large hail... simply move indoors and remain there
until the storm passes.

Damaging wind:
* severe gusts of wind from a thunderstorm called downbursts or
straight line winds are a serious danger... and can reach speeds in
excess of 100 mph.
* Straight line winds can cause damage that looks similar to and is
equivalent to that of a tornado.
* Damaging wind events in North Carolina typically start in March and
last into September... with a peak in activity from may through early
August.
* To stay safe from damaging winds... remember to get inside a sturdy
home or business when a warning is issued or if threatening weather
approaches. Stay away from windows when storms approach and seek
shelter in an interior bathroom or closet when the wind begins to
intensify.

Lightning:
* lightning occurs with all thunderstorms and is what defines a
thunderstorm.
* In a typical year there are around 500,000 lightning strikes in
North Carolina resulting in around 9 to 12 strikes per square
mile.
* During the past 10 years... there have been 12 lightning-related
fatalities in the state.
* Most lightning fatalities occur when people are caught outside
working... playing... boating or golfing.
* Lightning can travel up to 15 miles away from a thunderstorm. For
that reason... anytime you hear thunder or see lightning... seek
shelter indoors... and remain indoors away from windows for at least
30 minutes after the storm ends. If caught outdoors... stay away from
trees... telephone poles... and other tall objects. A hard-topped
vehicle will offer good protection from lightning. When boating... try
to seek safe shelter well before the storm approaches. Remember the
phrase when thunder roars go indoors.

Tornadoes:
* tornadoes can occur any month of the year in North Carolina. Violent
tornadoes with winds in excess of 150 mph have struck the state as
early as March and as late as November.
* The worst tornado outbreak in North Carolina history occurred on
April 16... 2011... when 30 confirmed tornadoes occurred. A total of
24 individuals lost their lives in North Carolina.
* A large portion of tornado fatalities in North Carolina have occurred
at night. At night... tornadoes are difficult to see... and even when
warnings are provided at night... people asleep are less likely to
hear those warnings.
* When a Tornado Warning is issued for your area or if you spot a
tornado... seek shelter in a substantial building. The safest place is
in an interior bathroom or closet. Put as many walls between you and
the outside as possible. Stay away from windows as debris picked up
by a tornado can easily shatter a window and enter your home.
* If you are caught outdoors... seek shelter in a low spot like a ditch
or culvert. You want to get as low as possible to protect yourself
from flying debris.
* If in your car and threatened by a tornado... abandon your vehicle
and seek shelter in a substantial structure or in a ditch. Never try
to outrun a tornado in a vehicle.

Flooding and flash flooding:
* nationwide... flooding causes more fatalities than any other type of
severe weather.
* Flooding in North Carolina can result from several different weather
situations... such as slow moving thunderstorms repeatedly affecting
the same location... or days of steady rain can cause creeks and
rivers to flood over large areas. Any thunderstorm moving across
metropolitan or urbanized areas can cause flash flooding due to the
amount of runoff generated by highly developed areas.
* Rushing water in the form of a flash flood can quickly become deadly.
Just a few inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off of
your feet... while just one to two feet of moving water can overtake a
car forcing it off the Road and possibly washing it away downstream.
* Flooding is dangerous any time of day... but most dangerous at night
when it is difficult to see.
* Most flood deaths occur in automobiles. When approaching water
flowing over the Road... turn around and go the other way. Remember...
turn around don't drown.
* Knowing your area's flood risk at home and work is also very
important. Check your homeowner's or renter's insurance. Many
policies do not cover flooding and many areas across North Carolina
are subject to flooding although not officially declared within a
flood plain. Just because flood damage is not in your insurance
policy does not mean your house cannot flood.
* Before rain and flood waters threaten... evaluate your flood risk and
know where you will go if you need to evacuate. Once a Flash Flood
Warning is issued... then it is time to take action.
* When a warning is issued for your area... it means that flooding has
been reported or is imminent. This is the time to closely monitor
the situation and move quickly if flood waters threaten. If advised
to evacuate... do so immediately. Seek higher ground... and move to a
safe location before access is cut off by flood waters. Never allow
children to play around high water... creeks... streams... or storm
drains.

We hope that you have taken time this week to think about the various
types of severe weather that can threaten your home and family. Talk
with your family about severe weather and develop a safety plan.
Staying informed about severe weather and making sure that you know
what to do when severe weather threatens will keep you and your family
safe.

Finally... be a force of nature... and spread the word to your friends...
family... .neighbors... and co-workers about severe weather planning and
safety... and encourage them to do the same. For more information...
please visit ready.Gov/severe-weather.