BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
GOVERNOR
SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK
2012
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, in 201 1, North Carolina experienced the highest number of, and some of the most deadly,
tornadoes in recent history, with 26 fatalities and hundreds of injuries; and
WHEREAS, last year, the National Weather Service in North Carolina issued more than 1,200 severe
thunderstorm warnings and recorded more than 1 ,500 incidents of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and/or
large hail; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is traditionally an active tornado state, especially during the spring, and last year
had 63 tornadoes touch down, with statewide damages of more than $400 million; and
WHEREAS, people are less likely to be injured when they know what to do when a tornado warning is issued
and severe weather conditions threaten; and
WHEREAS, the average lead warning time for severe weather in 201 1 was 18 minutes and the average lead
warning time for tornadoes was 1 5 minutes; and
WHEREAS, lightning strikes are a significant threat in North Carolina, especially for people involved in
outdoor recreation and sporting events; and
WHEREAS, citizens should listen to local radio, television, a weather channel or a National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration radio for information on severe weather; and
WHEREAS, families should have an emergency safety plan for home, school and work, including knowing
where the safest locations are on their regularly traveled routes; and
WHEREAS, individuals should have a disaster supply kit on hand that contains a first aid kit, a battery-
powered radio, flashlights with extra batteries, canned and other non-perishable food, a hand-operated can opener,
bottled water, sturdy shoes and work gloves; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Office of Emergency Management, the National
Weather Service and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction have collaborated to inform and educate
North Carolinians about how to stay safe in severe weather; and
WHEREAS, Wednesday, March 7, is the designated day for tornado drills to be held statewide in schools,
government buildings and private companies;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby
proclaim the week of March 4 - 10, 2012, as “SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK” in North Carolina,
and call upon all citizens to obs^r^p^h^ week with appropriate activities that promote awareness of severe weather and
how to stay safe.
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
IN WITNESS
at the Capitol in Raleigh
Independence of the
u.ito set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina
у
of February in the year of our Lord two thousand and twelve, and of the
the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
