THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 20, 1995 TAG: 9504200452
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
As many as six storms will hit the Atlantic Coast this year - and at least two will be severe, forecasters predicted last week.
With the possibility of severe weather looming on the horizon, Dare County emergency management officials are taking steps to better educate the public on hurricane preparedness.
A six-member delegation from Dare attended the National Hurricane Conference last week in Atlantic City, N.J.
``This season could be more intense,'' said Dare County Commissioner Clarence Skinner, who said forecasters predicted at least two hurricanes of category three strength for the year.
Skinner serves as chairman of the Dare County Control Group that oversees emergency response in the event of severe weather. He attended the hurricane conference last week.
Bob Sheets, retiring director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said 1994 was a quiet season, with only three hurricanes in the eastern region. Still, storms Alberto and Beryl played a major role in causing more than $1 billion in property damage and claiming 2,000 lives, primarily in Haiti and the Caribbean.
Dare County Public Information Officer Charles Hartig said predictions of increased heavy weather for the coming hurricane season heightens the need for public awareness.
``There's an element of public denial that exists here,'' Hartig said. ``But we have to continue to get information to the public. We have to make the public realize it has happened here, it can happen here, and it can happen to me.''
As part of the campaign to inform the public, Dare County Emergency Management officials and executives of the Dare County Tourist Bureau will place hurricane evacuation information sheets in each hotel and motel room, and rental cottage in the county.
The fliers provide information on evacuation routes, a list of local radio stations, and important telephone numbers for use in the event of severe storms.
Along with the information sheets, public service announcements about hurricane preparedness will be increased on local radio and television stations. A county-financed video will begin production in two weeks to spread the word on getting ready for hurricanes.
Despite improvements in radar systems that allow forecasters to track the severity of storms with more accuracy, Dare County Emergency Management Director Sandy Sanderson said evacuation is still Dare County's best option in the event of a severe storm.
``Even though they've been able to refine the process, the radar can still give you no better than 100 miles north or south of a point,'' Sanderson said.
Nonetheless, Sanderson said, the ability to watch storms from that far away does provide warning for the Outer Banks. ``It's still a pretty good chunk of real estate'' that the radar reaches, Sanderson said.
Another new development is a move to consolidate three building codes. North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida currently are being evaluated for their enforcement of building codes. Insurance officials hope to meld all building code requirements into a single set of rules by the year 2000.
Skinner said no changes in the county's hurricane response policy will result from the weeklong Atlantic City conference.
Skinner, Hartig and Sanderson were accompanied by County Manager Terry Wheeler, Commissioner Sammy Smith and Planning Director Ray Sturza.
The conference was held at the Trump Taj Mahal, where Dare County's contingency also stayed. Total cost for the trip has not been determined, but is expected to be released by Friday.
``I don't know who chose the site,'' Skinner said. ``Any time you go to a gambling area, you're going to be criticized. I felt the conference will help us all to do our jobs better. If anyone criticizes our attending the conference, it's simply out of a lack of understanding.'' by CNB