UPDATE: Progress Energy Florida Offers Tips to Protect Home From Lightning Damage

PETERSBURG, Fla."
Progress Energy's premium plug-in surge protectors range in cost from
$24.S. TsunamiReady helps accomplish this.weather.

Lightning.

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95
to $99 really is a small price to pay to protect them," Swisher said. The good news is that lightning losses can be
prevented.org

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency
responsible for tsunami and all severe weather warnings, officially recognized
the City of Norfolk as the latest of 26 TsunamiReady communities along U.

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"It's not like you can hear an approaching thunderstorm and then unplug
all your appliances to avoid surge damage," he said.

Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN),
provides electricity and related services to more than 1. Petersburg, Fla. A 2003 Insurance
Research Council survey, listing the most frequent perils leading to homeowner
insurance claims, cited lightning or hail at the top of the list (25% of all
claims), followed by water from indoor appliance or plumbing failures at 17%,
and theft at 14%. The LPI also provides a Certification Program for members to
qualify competence in lightning protection installation, design and
inspection.gov
National Weather Service: http://www.

unisys dissipation

Not only is
lightning powerful, it's unpredictable, so homeowners who think they can
protect their appliances and electronics simply by unplugging them when not in
use are mistaken , Swisher added.
"Home and business owners needn't take their chances with lightning," says
Bud VanSickle, executive director of the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI),
"A professionally-installed lightning protection system which meets U. Be wary of start-up companies or contractors
offering a "price deal" to install, fix or repair your lightning
protection system.lightning. We are honored that the City of Norfolk is leading the way in
preparedness with the designation of being both TsunamiReady and StormReady,"
said Congressman Robert.noaa.gov
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Wakefield VA:
http://www.

grounding arrestors

If only plug-in
suppressors are in use when a house receives a substantial surge, they won't
adequately stop the surge from damaging equipment . "Purchasing surge-protection products from Progress
Energy offers our customers peace of mind, knowing they have bought the top-
performing and safest products available today," Swisher said.noaa. C.

"The Indian Ocean tsunami and Atlantic coast simulations will be part of
the permanent exhibit at Science-on-A-Sphere and will be open to the public
after our winter renovation.gov/akq

unpredictable needless

People buying plug-in surge suppressors at retail stores should read
packages carefully to make sure they will protect electrical equipment,
Swisher added. * In Support of National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, June 19-25, 2005

ST.
Lightning protection technology is a specialty discipline and expertise is
required for system design and installation. Lightning-induced surges to your home or
business can damage electronics and appliances.lightning.

Contact:
Kim Graziano
Lightning Protection Institute
804-314-8955
http://www .

sferiche infography

95 for installation, which
includes a manufacturer's warranty, plus a $5.
"Many power strips are packaged to look like surge protectors when they're
really just glorified extension cords," Swisher said.
Safety Standards (LPI, NFPA and UL) will prevent lightning damage by providing
a safe electrical path into the earth for lightning's destructive energy.org to locate your local Better
Business Bureau to obtain reliability report information on a company
or contractor before you hire . The voluntary program provides communities with clear-cut
advice through a partnership between local National Weather Service offices
and state and local emergency managers.
StormReady and TsunamiReady help us create better prepared communities
throughout the country," said Bill Sammler, warning coordination meteorologist
of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Wakefield, Va."
NOAA, an agency of the U.gov/.

divert grounding

While such surge suppressors
are sold at retail stores, he said, buyers can 't tell how well they are
constructed, whether they are safe or how effectively they will perform in a
thunderstorm., and serves a
territory encompassing over 20,000 square miles including the cities of St. Protecting our growing population along the coastline from the
ravages of natural disasters is a major concern in Virginia. All coastal communities in the United States are at some risk for
a tsunami. Scott. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing
economic security and national safety through prediction and research of
weather and climate-related events and environmental stewardship of our
nation's coastal and marine resources.noaa.

Red sprites, blue jets, ball lightning, lightning pictures.

triggered belleair

(Logo: http://www. According to the National Weather Service,
over 40 million lightning strikes occur each year, resulting in approximately
100 deaths and billions of dollars in total property losses. WASHINGTON, Norfolk, today, became the first major
East Coast city with a well designed tsunami emergency response plan to alert
residents and visitors of tsunami threats, and evacuate areas if necessary.S.
"In our view, the City of Norfolk has made tremendous progress on
educating its citizens about all natural disasters, from hurricanes to
tornadoes and winter storms, to east coast tsunamis.

needless sprites

"While most people associate lightning with house
fires, lightning doesn't have to hit a house to damage it.5 million customers
in Florida.

Lightning Losses Real Yet Preventable

"
"Coastal communities like Norfolk contain 53 percent of the nation's
population.

unpredictable grounding

com/cgi-bin /prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c)
So, it's safe to assume the same lightning bolt can blow the smithereens
out of a home computer or microwave oven.
Used together, meter-based and plug-in surge protectors offer homeowners
the safest and best protection against lightning damage, Swisher said. "As a rule of thumb, the
more you pay for a surge suppressor, the more protection it will offer you. Compare their prices and quality with other
lightning protection companies in your area.lightningsafety . Hurricane Isabel
in 2003 was the costliest disaster ever in Virginia, with more than $1billion
in damages.
The event featured the first public display of the Indian Ocean tsunami,
plus a hypothetical Atlantic coast tsunami simulation based on an earthquake
originating from the Puerto Rico Trench , presented on NOAA's Science on a
Sphere exhibit at Nauticus. TsunamiReady is an outgrowth of the StormReady program
created by NOAA's National Weather Service in 1999 to encourage communities to
take a proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations and
public awareness .

thunderstorms thunderstorm

* When in doubt, contact http://www.
coasts. A new NOAA tsunami kiosk will be added in the
future.

sprites unisys

ST. A strike nearby can
set off a powerful electrical surge that can severely damage any appliances
plugged in at the time. The protector "re-
routes" dangerous lightning current so it travels harmlessly into the ground
instead of through home wiring. Among the structure fires , lightning most often
ignited roofs, sidewalls, framing and electrical wires. A qualified specialist should provide a list of
references and affiliation with industry groups.

* Experience counts.bbb.S." Lautenbacher noted that Indian
Harbour Beach, a small community of 9,000 in Central Florida, was the first
community on the East Coast to attain TsunamiReady status.

Editors note: An image of the StormReady/TsunamiReady signs and more
program information is available at http://www.

unpredictable belleair

Lightning can - and does - strike homes without any warning
at all.
Installation also includes a free outdoor electrical grounding inspection and
any necessary repairs.95 to $99, and are up to six times stronger than some found in retail
stores.
The U.

On the Web:
NOAA: http://www.

sprites boltek

newscom.
Progress Energy will install a premium surge-protection device at the
electric meter, or main disconnect, of a customer's home.
"The meter-based surge protector acts as a critical first line of defense
to protect home appliances from lightning damage," Swisher said.
"When you consider the thousands of dollars you've already invested in a
computer, modem , VCR, fax machine, DVD player or wide-screen TV, then $24. Packing up to 100
million volts of electricity , a lightning strike to an unprotected home or
business can be disastrous.

* Only an experienced and reputable UL-listed, LPI-certified lightning
protection contractor should install your system, other tradesmen are
not typically qualified to install lightning protection.

* Ask about surge protection. Visit the LPI website at http://www. Harbour Beach
attained the designation July 7, 2005. This dramatic simulation provides viewers with a
contextual and experiential understanding of the dangers of tsunamis and the
need for preparedness.

infography atmospherics

And, for the first time , Progress Energy is offering its
surge protection service to customers of utilities adjoining the company's
service area that don't offer a similar service.endzaps.com

, Hurricanes and tornadoes receive
the news coverage, but lightning is actually one of the nation's deadliest and
most destructive weather phenomena."
The LPI is a not-for-profit, nationwide group founded in 1955 to promote
lightning safety, awareness and protection education. Lautenbacher, under
secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

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, A single lightning strike
generates temperatures three times hotter than those on the surface of the
sun.95 monthly maintenance fee.

"That's why the best option is to install a
meter-based suppressor to reduce the greatest portion of the surge flowing to
downstream appliances and, thus, protect plug-in suppressors. The company is headquartered in St. Scientists, engineers,
architects, installers and manufacturers are included in the organization's
membership. "NOAA
has expanded its tsunami detection and warning capability since the Indian
Ocean tsunami, and community preparedness programs like TsunamiReady are key
components of this effort.

shocking grounding

"
Summer marks the height of the lightning strike season.
"City officials and emergency managers have worked hard to establish a 24-
hour system to receive NOAA warnings and inform Norfolk residents about what
actions to take if a tsunami or severe weather is headed their way. This program will enable
the city to apply for additional reductions in the premiums paid into the
National Flood Insurance Program which could result in an additional savings
of over $100 ,000 for the city and local taxpayers," added Ron Keys, director
of emergency preparedness for the City of Norfolk.

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"If you hear thunder, it
may be too late. "I'm confident
that our citizens deeply appreciate NOAA's commitment to saving lives through
planning, education and awareness. This new tsunami section will provide the public and worldwide
visitors a dramatic and experiential understanding of the dangers of tsunamis
and the need for preparedness," said Richard Conti, director of The National
Maritime Center, Nauticus., which
serves the Hampton Roads area.

meteorology unisys

"
Progress Energy fully tests all products it offers customers for both
safety and performance. Norfolk was also recognized as StormReady, becoming one of nearly
1,000 communities across the country with a proactive approach to warning and
educating the public about tornadoes, flooding and other severe weather. Ultimately it is the public's ability to react to
such warnings that completes the chain in an effective tsunami warning
process.
Norfolk also became the fifth Hampton Roads community to earn the
StormReady designation. Through the emerging Global Earth
Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal
partners and nearly 60 countries to develop a global monitoring network that
is as integrated as the planet it observes.

polyphaser unisys

com.progress-energy.

The Lightning Protection Institute offers a list of certified contractors
across the U.org for more
information about lightning protection and LPI's Certification Program.

"The mission of the National Weather Service is to protect lives and
livelihoods from hazardous weather and other natural and man-made dangers.stormready.nws .

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Besides adding surge protection at the meter, Swisher also recommends that
homeowners use plug-in surge suppressors on expensive electronic equipment,
such as computers and wide-screen televisions . JOSEPH, Mo. Fire Administration says two-thirds of lightning fires happen
from June through August , with 55% of these fires occurring outdoors and 41%
occurring in structures. A qualified lightning
protection contractor can provide options for service entrance
arresters and point -of-use surge protection devices.
Information about National Lightning Safety Awareness Week can be found at
http://www. I'm
particularly proud to honor the City of Norfolk as the first major East Coast
city to become TsunamiReady," said Vice Admiral Conrad C. "The City of Norfolk is honored that NOAA's National Weather Service
has recognized our community as the first major East Coast city to achieve
TsunamiReady/StormReady recognition," said Mayor Paul Fraim.

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The cost is $44.
Petersburg , Clearwater, as well as the central Florida area surrounding
Orlando.S.gov/.

Norfolk Va. First East Coast City Declared TsunamiReady

Lautenbacher was joined by numerous federal, state and local dignitaries
at the recognition ceremony held at Nauticus, the National Maritime Center
today.

To be recognized as TsunamiReady/StormReady, a community must:

* Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center;

* Have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and
to alert the public;

* Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally;

* Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars;

* Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe
weather spotters and holding emergency exercises. "Through StormReady and TsunamiReady, the City
of Norfolk will be better prepared to help protect the lives and property of
its citizens and visitors during severe weather events, as well as for the
rare, but potentially devastating tsunami .S.

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Systems for homes and businesses
should be installed by trained and experienced LPI-certified and UL-listed
specialists.

* Check references.

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"Each year in the United States , lightning causes about $1 billion in
property damage," said Alan Swisher, Progress Energy Florida 's surge
protection program manager."
A better solution, Swisher suggested, is to apply staged , or layered,
surge protection by equipping one's home with devices at the outside meter and
inside outlets.
"Even good plug-in surge protectors can fail when a surge beyond their
limited capacity occurs," he said.
Progress Energy customers interested in learning more about surge
protection can call toll-free at (866) END-ZAPS or (888) 999-8856 or visit
http://www. For more information about Progress Energy Florida, visit the
company's Web site at http://www. LPI offers the following safeguards for property owners seeking a
qualified lightning protection specialist:

* Make sure materials and methods comply with nationally recognized
safety standards of the LPI, NFPA and UL.noaa.