WHAT:

NOAA's National Weather Service and PGA TOUR professional Rocco Mediate will unveil a nationwide public awareness campaign about the dangers of lightning at a press conference during the Buick Classic golf tournament.

The campaign features a television public service announcement starring Mediate, posters on lightning safety, and a national lightning safety Web page.most significant shipwreck sites.

WHEN:

Tuesday, June 19, 2001
2:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Buick Classic Golf Tournament
Westchester Country Club
Harrison, N.Y.

WHO:

Scott B. Gudes, NOAA's acting administrator

Rocco Mediate, PGA TOUR professional golfer

Dr. Mary Ann Cooper, expert on lightning victim recovery

Michael Utley, lightning strike survivor

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

On average, lightning strikes in America kill 73 people a year, more than tornadoes or hurricanes. Further information is found on the new lightning awareness Web site: http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

NOTE TO MEDIA: The PSA and B-roll of lightning will be available in Beta-SP format.
FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T MAKE THE NEWS CONFERENCE THE PSA AND B-ROLL CONTAINING INTERVIEWS WILL BE FED ON MONDAY, JUNE 18, 2001.
SEE THE SATELLITE COORDINATES BELOW.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS MATERIAL IS EMBARGOED UNTIL TUESDAY, JUNE 19 AT 2 P.M. EDT.

SATELLITE COORDINATES: Monday, June 18, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST
Transponder: Telstar 6K-13
Band: Ku
Downlink Frequency: 1957 Mhz (V)
Audio 6.4 and 6.8