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the Seahawk \ NEWS I August 28,2003
CHANCELLOR OFFERS REWARD FOR
ARREST OF SEAHAWK MASCOT SWIPERS
The 1995-2002 time span has been the
most active period in the past 50 years.
Forecaster WiUiam Gray also updated
his predictions, saying that the majority of
the hurricanes will be forming in October.
This raises concern among individuals
in southeastern North Carolina, especially
those who reside in Wilmington.
Within the past ten years, the
Wilmington, NC area has been hit by four
major hurricanes: Bertha and Fran in 1996,
Bonnie in 1998 and Floyd in 1999.
These hurricanes cost the area millions
of dollars in damage. Therefore, it is a wise
idea for UNCW students to leam the poli
cies that are in place in New Hanover
County and at UNCW concerning hurri
cane evacuation and school closure.
In 2000, a year after hurricane Floyd hit
eastern North Carolina, UNCW revised its
hurricane policy. The university currently
has a three-phase plan corresponding to the
National Weather Service’s issuing of a
hurricane warning for Wilmingon.
ing, university officials evaluate the weath
er situation, based on how fast the storm is
moving, the size and strength of the storm
and the amount of daylight left before
mandatory evacuation. They then may
cancel classes and issue a voluntary evacu
ation. Once New Hanover County officials
close the beaches, UNCW issues a manda
tory evacuation.
Hurricane warnings are typically issued
between 24 and 36 hours before 40 mph
winds are expected to reach land.
Those students who are unable to go
home or anywhere else are set up with host
families in the area during the duration of
the hurricane. Students who do not return
home during the duration of the hurricane
are advised to let their families know of
their whereabouts.
For up-to-date information on class can
cellations and evacuations during hurricane
weather, call the university’s hurricane hot
line at 962-3991 or toll free at (888) 657-
5751.
Sarah Brdoers
News Editor
The seahawk wasn’t able to welcome
students back onto campus this year
The university’s mascot, the bronze sea
hawk statue, was stolen in late July, leaving
only its two osprey talons perched on the
rock in front of the Warwick Center.
The 75-pound statue was found July 23
in a stairwell of an apartment complex on
Kerr Avenue, however the individuals
responsible have not been apprehended.
Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo is cur
rently offering a $250 reward for the arrest
of the individuals responsible for damaging
and stealing the school mascot.
“We’ve been trying to identify who
stole it but we have not found them yet,”
said Captain Willis, of the UNCW police
force. “We’ve just been asking for anyone
with information. We still don’t have any
other leads yet.”
Since it’s dedication in 2000, the sea
hawk has been a good luck charm for many
UNCW students.
“I think it’s bad. If it was someone who
goes to school here, that’s just bad school
spirit,” said Courtney Byrd, senior.
University officials said that it might not
be until the third week of September before
the bronze seahawk can be fixed and
returned to it’s granite perch, depending on
how fast an artisan can be hired.
The seahawk’s sculptor, Joe Orlando, no
longer lives in the area. Until then the bird
will be stored in a safe, secure location.
It is not yet known how long it will take
or how much it will cost to rehabihtate the
3-foot statue.
The UNCW police have reported the
statue’s value at $12,000. The university,
however, values the bronze statue and its
granite perch at $70,000.
Anyone with information about the stat
ue’s kidnappers are urged to call the uni
versity police at 962-3184 or anonymously
on the UNCW Crime Line at 962-8477.
HURRICANE PREDICTIONS UPDATED:
NUMBERS EXPECTED TO INCREASE
Alisha Gore
Staff Writer
As we enter the peak of hurricane sea
son, experts are predicting that this year’s
season will be even more active than they
originally thought.
“Many of the hurricanes this season will
develop over the tropical Atlantic and
move westward as they strengthen. These
hurricanes could pose a threat to the United
States and/or the Caribbean Islands,” said
Dr. Gerry Bell, head of National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration’s seasonal
prediction team in a recent news release.
Forecasters
are now pre
dicting 12 to
15 tropical
storms and
seven to nine
hurricanes,
including
three to four
major hurri
canes with
winds of at
least 111 mph.
The average
hurricane sea
son brings ten
tropical storms
and six hurri
canes.
“There is not much difference in the
hurricane plan itself, but it’s giving us a
broader plan for all crisis situations,” said
Dean of Students Terry Curran. “I’m com
fortable where we are right now.”
He said there is a commitee still work
ing to make better the evacuation plan.
UNCW reserves the right to evacuate
the campus before the evacuation and clo
sure of New Hanover County beaches.
This system is designed to allow students
enough time to evacuate campus and arrive
safely at their homes or another alternative
destination.
Once the NWS issues a hurricane warn-
V
HURRICANE
EVACUATION
. ROUTE
Jeff WunscMhe Seahawk
As t±ie 2003 hurricane season gets under way, locals
prepare for increase in bad weather.
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