Danger of hurricane storm surge is topic of ‘To the Point’ radio interview….WITH AUDIO  

If you missed the presentation at the Fessenden Center on Saturday, May 21, on the dangers of storm surge during tropical cyclones — featuring a storm surge expert from the National Hurricane Center — you can catch up with the audio of the newest edition of “To the Point,” the Radio Hatteras interview show hosted by Island Free Press editor Irene Nolan.

Hurricane season officially got underway just a few days ago on June 1, and on the June 5 “To the Point” show, Nolan had three guests for the interview — all of them folks we depend on for information when tropical systems threaten Hatteras Island.

The featured guest was Jamie Rhome, the storm surge specialist with the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla.

Rhome was joined by Richard Bandy, who is the meteorologist in charge of our local weather office in Newport/Morehead City, just south of the Outer Banks, and Drew Pearson, Dare County’s director of Emergency Management.

The focus pf the program was on storm surge, which causes much of the damage and loss of life in hurricanes and tropical storms, which is why Jamie Rhome and his colleagues at the Hurricane Center are working hard to improve storm surge forecasting.

In the interview, all three guests talked about new products that will be available to warn the public about the dangers of storm surge — including maps of the forecast storm surge for our area when a tropical cyclone threatens. The new products are intended to help the public be better prepared for storm surge.

Rhome and Bandy also toured Hatteras Island with Pearson and discussed the vulnerability of our barrier island with first responders and Hatteras Island Commissioner Allen Burrus. Both men say they picked up information that they will carry back to their staffs in Miami and in Newport.

To listen to the interview, scroll down to the “To the Point” logo and click on the arrow.

“To the Point” airs on the island’s community radio station,101.5 FM on southern Hatteras and 99.9 FM on northern Hatteras, at 5 p.m. on the first and third Sunday of each month. It is repeated on the second and fourth Sunday. Those who don’t live on Hatteras can listen to the show on Sundays through live streaming at www.radiohatteras.org.

MORE ABOUT RADIO HATTERAS

Radio Hatteras is Hatteras Island’s community, non-profit radio station and depends on grants, memberships, and underwriting.

It broadcasts around the clock with news — including such things as surfing and fishing reports — community announcements, music, and special programs. The station is also now streamed live. To listen, go to www.radiohatteras.org.

Our community radio station also needs your support, and you can give that by purchasing a membership or by underwriting the station if you are a business or another community non-profit.

Radio Hatteras memberships are $50 for a family, $25 for an individual and $10 for a student. Mail memberships and other contributions to Radio Hatteras, P.O. Box 339, Frisco, NC 27936.

E-mail info@radiohatteras.org or call (252) 995-6000 for information about underwriting opportunities.