USGS News Release/Do You Know the Hazard in Your Backyard?

[Clarice E Ransom <cransom@xxxxxxxx>]

News Release
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey

Release Date: July 26, 2006

Contacts:      
 Clarice Nassif Ransom        703-648-4299
       cransom@xxxxxxxx
       
        Stephanie Hanna    
           206-220-4573  
     shanna@xxxxxxxx
       
        Heidi Koontz    
               
   303-202-4763        hkoontz@xxxxxxxx


Do You Know the Hazard
in Your Backyard?
-- USGS Launches Web Site
and Facts Sheets on Earthquakes, Floods, Hurricanes, Landslides, Tsunamis,
Volcanoes, and Wildfires --

Every year, natural hazards that
occur in the United States can result in hundreds of lives lost and cost
billions of dollars in the form of disaster aid, disrupted commerce and
destroyed public and private properties.

To help educate the public about
the threat of natural hazards, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has launched
a new Web site and seven easy-to-understand fact sheets on earthquakes,
floods, hurricanes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanoes and wildfires. The
hazards Web site highlights resources and information available from the
USGS and provides links to the individual hazards Web pages for more detailed
information. The Web site and fact sheets can be accessed at http://www.usgs.gov/hazards/.

“At the USGS, it is our goal to
provide scientific research and analysis that help the public make informed
decisions on where natural hazards occur, how severe they may be, how to
react to each hazard and how to safeguard people and communities,” said
USGS Acting Director P. Patrick Leahy. “If we can use our science to help
save lives and minimize the damage caused by natural hazards, we have achieved
an enormous goal—helping to prevent natural hazards from becoming disasters.”

The USGS has the lead federal responsibility
to provide notifications to the public about earthquakes, volcanoes and
landslides. These notifications enhance public safety and reduce losses
through effective forecasts and warnings based on the best possible scientific
information. The USGS plays a supportive role to other federal agencies
for flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, tsunamis and coastal storms.

The USGS serves the nation by providing
reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize
loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological,
energy and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.


         
               
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