Museum offers electrifying ‘Powers of Nature’ Day
Lightning strike survivors’ stories, special activities, local meteorologists enhance traveling exhibition

November 6, 2002
For Immediate Release
Calendar, event and feature editors
Contacts: Karen Kemp (919) 733-7450, ext. 304 or Marjorie Terry (919) 733-7450, ext. 305

(RALEIGH)--Hear amazing survival stories from people struck by lightning, meet a real storm chaser and talk to a weather forecaster at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ “Powers of Nature” Day, Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A host of special presentations will enrich visitors’ experiences in the “Powers of Nature” exhibition, on view at the Museum through Feb. 16, 2003.

At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Michael Utley, a member of Lightning Strike and Electric Shock Survivors International, speaks in the Museum’s WRAL Digital Theater about “The Science of Lightning.” With powerful images, Utley will discuss how lightning forms and how to stay safe. He will tell his own chilling tale of being struck in May 2000 while on a golf course, and his challenging recovery from the injuries that resulted.

Mark Cantrell of Wake Forest, author of the recently published Everything Weather Book, presents “Tornado Hunters: Chasing the Wind” at 12:30 p.m. Cantrell recently flew with meteorologists into Hurricane Isidore and has tracked and photographed tornadoes in Oklahoma and Happy, Texas.

WRAL-TV 5 meteorologist Mike Moss will be on hand from noon to 3 p.m. with compelling images of thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning. Blow into a hand-held anemometer and measure how much wind speed you can create. The State Climate Office offers a display on extreme weather, and at 3:30 p.m., the Museum’s own Captain Cumulous presents “The Weather Machine” in the WRAL Digital Theater.

On the plaza outside the Museum, kids can visit with Progress Energy’s Storm Crew and explore a line truck. Visitors to the “Powers of Nature” exhibition can also participate in a scavenger hunt throughout the traveling exhibition, guided by the entertaining, wisecracking character Awesome Powers and his sidekick Stormy Weather.

The 7,500-square-foot “Powers of Nature” exhibition explains the science behind natural disasters. Learn how natural forces unleash their fury, how experts predict natural events and how we can protect ourselves. Experience nature’s strength through more than 50 interactive exhibits, video presentations and real artifacts that give witness to the might of natural forces. The exhibition is locally sponsored by Progress Energy.

Admission to the “Powers of Nature” traveling exhibition is $5 adults, $3 children 4-11 and seniors over 60, and free for Friends of the Museum and children 3 and under. The exhibition is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; last tickets sold daily at 4 p.m. All special activities on “Powers of Nature” Day are free.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, in downtown Raleigh, documents and interprets the natural history of the state of North Carolina through exhibits, research, collections, publications, and educational programming. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the web at www.naturalsciences.org. The Museum is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary.

Home	What's New?	Visitor Info	Calendar	Exhibits
	Education	Research	Museum Store	Join Us!
Search	Fun Stuff	Site Map	Staff Directory	Links