RENCI Promotes Hurricane Safety
Hurricane Awareness Activity - Dr. Donna Kain and Michelle Covi from RENCI at ECU traveled to Nags Head Elementary School to promote Hurricane Preparedness Week in Dare County. Fourth and fifth grade classrooms learned about the science of hurricanes from meteorologist John Cole, Warning Coordination Meteorologist of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Newport/Morehead City. Students also participated in a hurricane tracking exercise which simulated the approach of a hurricane threatening coastal North Carolina and learned the many ways that hurricane information is broadcast to the public. From left, Jack Markovich and Kyle Penland receive guidance from John Cole, who had driven up from Newport that morning to participate in the days' activities at NHES. Cole gave a detailed presentation about hurricanes and other types of storms as a preface to the activity.
Tracking the Path - Keegan Neal and Cullen Smith, fourth graders in Lee Beasley's class at Nags Head Elementary School, tracked the path of a hurricane as part of a presentation by ECU RENCI and John Cole of the National Weather Service on May 28. RENCI Outreach Coordinator Michelle Covi and Dr. Donna Cain provided updates of the hurricane's path and strength by a variety of sources including amateur (ham) radio, cell phone alert, internet and television.
Cell Phone Alert - Nags Head Elementary School fourth and fifth graders participated in a unique preparation for hurricane season 2009 as presented by East Carolina University RENCI representatives Dr. Donna Kain and Michelle Covi with John Cole of the National Weather Service, Newport, on May 28. Covi, RENCI Outreach Coordinator, provides fourth graders in Bob Kretz's class with the storm's "latest coordinates" and wind speed by simulated cell phone alert. Anyone can sign up for such alerts through the national Weather Service.