For Immediate Release
June 1, 2009
Contact: Jo'Ellen Gray Countee
(202) 727-2985
Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict a near-normal 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins today and runs through November 30. In its initial outlook for the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season NOAA says there is a 50 percent probability of a near-normal season, a 25 percent probability of an above-normal season and a 25 percent probability of a below-normal season. Forecasters say there is a 70 percent chance of having nine to 14 named storms, of which four to seven could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5).*
District and federal officials are urging citizens to be prepared for all severe summer weather, including hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding.
In remarks on May 29 following a hurricane briefing by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, President Obama urged Americans who have the capacity to plan in advance for hurricanes and other emergencies to do so, saying, “. . . they will thereby relieve some of the resources that the government has to provide and we can stay focused on those folks who are most vulnerable and have the most difficulty dealing with a storm. So I hope that message of personal responsibility sinks in.”
DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Darrell Darnell said, “Even though the District is not located directly on the coast, it is vulnerable to the residual hazards that hurricanes can bring, including high winds, tornadoes and flooding.” Mr. Darnell noted that as hurricanes move inland and weaken into tropical storms, they still bring torrential rains and high winds over large areas, which intensifies the risk of flooding. “It is critically important that our residents take a few simple steps now to prepare for possible severe summer weather,” he said. View* a chronology of hurricane events impacting the District.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio broadcasts National Weather Service (NWS) warnings, watches, forecasts and other non-weather related hazard information 24 hours a day. During an emergency, NWS sends a special tone that activates weather radios in the listening area. Weather radios equipped with a special alarm tone feature can sound an alert and provide immediate information about a life-threatening situation. Weather alert radios are available at most stores that sell electronic equipment. The codes for the District of Columbia are listed below:
| DC |
City |
Same # |
NWR Transmitter |
Frequency |
Call |
Watts |
| DC |
Washington, DC |
011001 |
Baltimore, MD |
162.400 |
KEC83 |
1000 |
| DC |
Washington, DC |
011001 |
Manassas, VA |
162.550 |
KHB36 |
1000 |
| DC |
Washington, DC |
011001 |
Washington, DC |
162.450 |
WNG736 |
300 |
Steps citizens can take now to prepare for hurricanes and other severe weather include:
- Get a Kit – An emergency supply kit should include items such as non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. It’s also important to have a “to-go bag” ready in case you need to evacuate.
- Make a Family Emergency Plan – Your family may not be together when a hurricane strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do if an evacuation is necessary.
- Be Informed – Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a hurricane and learn about the emergency plans that have been established for your neighborhood.
For more information about planning for hurricanes and other emergencies, visit http://72hours.dc.gov.
*As soon as a storm reaches sustained winds of at least 39 mph, it categorized as a “Tropical Storm” and is given a name. For 2009, the first name on the list will be Ana. Storms with wind velocity between 74 mph and 95 mph are classified as a Category 1 hurricane. Category 2 storms have wind velocity between 96 mph and 110 mph. When a storm reaches 111 mph, it is classified as a Category 3 storm and is considered a “Major Hurricane.” Storms with velocity between 131 mph and 155 mph are Category 4 hurricanes. Storms with a velocity of 155 mph and above are Category 5 hurricanes.