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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>The City of Beaufort has added a new Hurricane Readiness page (<a href="http://www.cityofbeaufort.org/602/Hurricane-Readiness">http://www.cityofbeaufort.org/602/Hurricane-Readiness</a>) on its website, which includes information and tips from local, state, and national resources.</p>
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<p>The page includes the 2021 Hurricane Guide from the State of South Carolina, as well as a link to South Carolina’s new dedicated hurricane information website (https://hurricane.sc/). It includes an FAQ with local, state and regional information, as well as links to Ready.gov, a federal website that provides advice on how to prepare for and recover from major disasters.</p>
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<p>The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs through Nov. 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center has predicted another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2021.</p>
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<p>Forecasters predict a 60 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 30 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a 10 percent chance of a below-normal season. Fortunately, experts do not expect the historic level of storm activity seen in 2020.</p>
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<p>In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning, the City of Beaufort will ensure that up-to-date information is shared on the City’s Facebook and Nextdoor pages, as well as on Twitter. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for Nixle (https://www.nixle.com/), an application that sends email or text messages from local public safety agencies, and is especially helpful during potential disasters.</p>
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<p>In addition to the hurricane page, the City recently added a Flood Awareness page (http://www.cityofbeaufort.org/286/Flood-Awareness) to its website. This offers information on flood insurance maps, the National Flood Insurance Program, and tips on how to protect you, your family, and your home.</p>
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