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MUSC braces for predicted hurricane season by Cindy Abole Public Relations Although this year’s Atlantic coast hurricane season promises to be busier than usual, MUSC employees and staff are readying themselves for what’s anticipated as the region’s most challenging weather emergency. A big part of the preparation is awareness and having an efficient plan. Today, the campus hosts its fourth annual MUSC Hurricane Awareness Day at the Portico from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by University Risk Management, the event features on-campus services, plus local and statewide programs and organizations who display their wares and provide emergency weather information. “Our purpose with Hurricane Awareness Day is to prepare our employees, students and their families so that it helps reduce the chances for loss of life and property,” said Tiffany Chellis, of University Risk Management who helped organized the effort. Forecasters this year are predicting another active season, with 11 to 15 tropical storms, six to nine potentially developing into hurricanes. Two to four are predicted to become major storms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  The official season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30.  In March, Chellis and University Risk Management Director Wayne Brannan participated at the South Carolina Hurricane Conference held in Hilton Head. They attended seminars, listened to speakers about current predictions, met leaders and coordinators in other municipalities to compare and share severe weather plans and actions. “The experts have predicted this to be a very active season," said Brannan. "I hope that everyone will take this opportunity to prepare their families and their businesses for this hurricane season.”  Participants in the 2003 Awareness Day event include displays from NOAA, the National Weather Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, S.C. Highway Patrol, South Carolina Emergency Preparedness Division (EPD), Charleston EPD, S.C. Communications Information Office, MUSC Medical Center, MUSC Office of Public Safety, Salvation Army, WCBD-TV 2 (meteorologist Rob Fowler) and Charleston County Rescue. Lunch is available from Sticky Fingers and Great Wall. Some lucky event participants will be the recipients of hourly door prizes donated by In-and-Out Car Wash, the S.C. Aquarium and Ye Olde Fashioned Ice Cream and Sandwich Cafe. Employees, staff and students can find the MUSC Severe Weather Plan and other emergency weather information in a central Webpage that also links to other pages including the University Hazardous Weather and Emergencies Policy, Medical Center Disaster Manual, MUSC Pet Care Information, plus other related sites. "Once people realize that these predictions are above normal, people's attitudes will change and they will become more active in their planning and preparation," Chellis said.  If there is a threat due to potentially bad weather, Risk Management will work closely with the Office of Public Relations and other departments to ensure that the MUSC community is informed about school closings, shelter openings and other emergency procedures through MUSC’s 24-hour information line and internal broadcast message system.  For information, call 792-MUSC (792-6872) or visit the Web site at http://musc.edu/weatheremergency. Don't let any of 2003's hurricanes catch you off guard Ana; Bill; Claudette; Danny; Erika; Fabian; Grace; Henri; Isabel; Juan; Kate; Larry; Mindy; Nicholas; Odette; Peter; Rose; Sam; Teresa; Victor; and Wanda. Have a Place To Go Develop a family hurricane preparedness plan before an actual storm threatens your area. It is important to consider the following points: If ordered to evacuate, do not wait or delay your departure.  If possible, leave before local officials issue an evacuation order for your area.  Select an evacuation destination that is nearest to your home.  In choosing your destination, keep in mind that the hotels and other sheltering options in most inland metropolitan areas are likely to be filled very quickly in a large, multi-county hurricane evacuation event.  If you decide to evacuate to another county or region, be prepared to wait in traffic.  The large number of people in this state who must evacuate during a hurricane will probably cause massive delays and major congestion along most designated evacuation routes; the larger the storm, the greater the probability of traffic jams and extended travel times.  If a hotel or motel is your final intended destination during an evacuation, make reservations before you leave. Most hotel and motels will fill quickly once evacuations begin. The longer you wait to make reservations the less likely you are to find room vacancies. If you are unable to stay with friends or family and no hotels/motels rooms are available, then as a last resort go to a shelter.  Remember, shelters are not designed for comfort and do not usually accept pets. Bring your disaster supply kit with you to the shelter. Find Pet-Friendly hotels and motels. Make sure that you fill up your car with gas, before you leave. Web source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/place_to_go.shtml.   Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.