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Innoventions
New
Disney Attraction To Teach Storm Safety
This
story obtained from WESH on Feb. 6, 2008
Disney
announced its latest theme park addition at a ceremony
Wednesday. Slated to debut late this summer in
Epcot
Center
's Innoventions complex, StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes will
aim to teach visitors the importance of home safety in a fun,
interactive way.
"This
groundbreaking exhibit represents a milestone in the disaster
safety movement," Leslie Chapman-Henderson, President and
CEO of the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH),
said. "It will save lives and homes by combining fun with
education."
Co-founded
by FEMA, FLASH is partnering with several other local
companies to present StormStruck. Chapman-Henderson views the
attraction as a great opportunity to spread the
Tallahassee-based company's message of home safety and
disaster readiness.
"This
is the most significant initiative that we could have dreamed
of," Chapman-Henderson said. "It's been tremendous
for us."
The
attraction will allow visitors to discover what it would feel
like to experience severe weather, such as a hurricane. After
"the storm," StormStruck will teach guests about
weather-related science and cutting-edge technology used to
protect homes from a disaster, featuring an exercise in
"rebuilding" a home.
Chapman-Henderson
declined to get more specific, but said the attraction will be
"very fast-paced and very fun."
During
the ceremony, Chapman-Henderson and representatives from other
sponsors pointed to Tuesday night's severe thunderstorms in
Tennessee
and
Arkansas
as further evidence about the need for disaster preparedness.
But as Chapman-Henderson said, the greatest challenge has been
getting the message out.
"We
have never doubted the need for disaster preparedness,"
Chapman-Henderson said. "And who does it better than
Disney when it comes to storytelling?"
The
sponsors all said they hoped that this attraction will make a
difference in people's lives.
"Educating
homeowners about the simple steps they can take to create a
safer and stronger home is what this attraction is all
about," said Terry Kingsfather, president of co-sponsor
Simpson Strong-Tie. "We're proud to be a part of an
effort that can help reduce damage to homes all across
America
."
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