Hurricane [preparedness] seminar

[JonathanBelles]

Hello everyone!

As a meteorology student, I wanted to give back to my school (St. Petersburg College), and an opportunity came my way to do just that. I just confirmed today with the school that I will be co-hosting a hurricane preparedness seminar on campus on June 10th. I will be working with the Pinellas County EOC Public relations officer and the meteorology professor at my school. Pinellas EM will be the only one speaking other than myself most likely. We have been given an hour for the presentation. He will be going through the new evacuation zones (if you dont know, your zone has or will be changing in 2010 or 2011 if you are along the gulf coast), evacuation routes, the basics of a hurricane, and a question and answer session.

For my part, I am still planning and brainstorming what I want to do. I have a few ideas listed below:
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1. Hurricane Survival Kit Game. I would buy enough supplies for three kits, and then some things that are not supposed to be in a kit. I would have three people come up, and the person with the best kit gets to keep the kit (completed of course). I would rerun the game to give away the other two kits. This activity enhances kit knowledge and gives the community a few kits.

2. Pin your evacuation zone. I would blow up a huge map of the Pinellas County evacuation zone map, and have people put pins where they live so that they know where their zone is, and when to evacuate.

3. Storm Surge. This idea is a little more strenuous, but I think I could pull it off. Recently Hillsborough County has been putting up storm surge signs showing what would be covered in water if a surge of such and such feet occurred. I might be able to create similar signs. During this presentation I would explain what surge is, how it is created, and why you must evacuate if your zone is called upon.
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I want to ask you all for suggestions for a hands-on seminar, or expansions on the one above. Someone suggested to me last night that I can show a video about surge and hurricanes. I can use more than one activity as long as it takes less than 30 mins to complete.

I would appreciate any feedback on this.

Thank You!!
Jonathan B. -- Fact789
Meteorology Student


Mods: I put this topic in Talking Tropics since I figured it would get more traffic, but if it needs to be moved, please do so.

[thetruesms]

hmm, I will have to ponder for some good ideas, but I personally think the kit game is an outstanding idea.