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How to prepare for severe weather...
Tornado Safety
Hurricane Safety
Flood Safety
Thunderstorm Safety
Winter Storm Safety
Tornado Safety
Tornadoes are the most violent natural phenomenon known to man.
Winds up to 200-300 miles per hour make up the most destructive
funnels. Would you know what to do if a tornado was on a path headed
for your home and family? When a tornado threatens your family's
safety, follow these instructions:
If you are in a home or any other small building,
go to the basement. If the dwelling does not have a basement,
go to the lowest level floor and stay in the smallest interior room,
such as a closet or bathroom. Protect yourself from flying debris
by wrapping yourself in a blanket or heavy coat.
If you are in a school, hospital, factory,
or shopping mall, go to interior rooms or halls on the lowest
floor. Avoid glass-enclosed spaces and open areas such as warehouses
and auditoriums. Always crouch down and protect your head by covering
it with your hands.
If you are in a high-rise building, find
the nearest interior small room or hallway. Remain in a crouch position
and cover your head with your hands. Stay away from exterior walls
and windows.
If you are in a mobile home or car, seek
another form of shelter IMMEDIATELY. Most deaths occur when people
remain in their mobile home or car, so get out! If you are caught
in your car, run to the nearest substantial structure. Know the
location of a nearby designated tornado shelter for when you need
to evacuate your mobile home.
If no suitable or substantial structure is
nearby, lie flat with your face down in the closest depression
or ditch, protecting your head with your hands.
Hurricane Safety
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Latch your shutters or cover your windows, sliding
or French doors with pre-cut plywood. Taping windows may reduce
flying glass but will not prevent breakage. |
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Take in objects that will blow away such as garbage
cans, patio furniture, tools, and household pets. Anchor objects
that cannot be brought inside. |
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Place valuables and important documents in waterproof
containers and store them in the highest area possible. Place
large items in garbage bags. Have adequate cash available, as
automatic teller machines (ATMs) may not be in service. |
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Unplug all appliances from electrical outlets.
Check with your satellite provider before attempting to remove
a dish or antenna yourself. |
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Stay away from downed power lines to avoid electrocution. |
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Prepare your vehicle by filling your gas tank
completely. Gasoline may not be available for days after a hurricane
hits due to massive damage and power outages. |
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Turn off electricity to your pool equipment and
cover an exposed pool pump. Add extra chlorine to your half-drained
pool to prevent contamination. |
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Have plenty of canned and non-perishable food
on hand, bottled water, and a manual can opener. |
Flood Safety
Learn the terms before a flood threatens your well-being:
Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Stay
tuned to the radio or television for additional information.
Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is
possible. Move to higher ground. A flash flood could occur without
any warning. Listen to the radio or television for additional information.
Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring
or will occur soon. Evacuate immediately if advised to do so.
Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is
in progress. Seek higher ground immediately.
Urban and Small Stream Advisory: Flooding
of small streams, streets, and low-lying areas is occurring.
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Monitor the radio or television for up-to-the-minute
information. Understand what the terms mean. |
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Time permitting, move valuables to a high and
dry location. |
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Follow ALL authorities' instructions such as
when to evacuate or to turn utilities off at their source. |
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Execute your evacuation plan quickly. It's simpler
and safer to evacuate before flood waters become too deep for
vehicles to drive through. |
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Follow pre-determined evacuation routes. DO NOT
take your own shortcuts as the area could already be flooded! |
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Stay away from the damaged area until instructed
to return. Your early return may slow emergency operations. |
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Monitor your battery-operated radio for special
instruction about where to find temporary shelters, clothing,
and food. |
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Photograph or videotape the damage that has occurred
to your home and property. |
Thunderstorm Safety
A thunderstorm is a storm caused by changes in air pressure, and
lightning always accompanies a thunderstorm! Severe thunderstorms
can also bring heavy rains which cause flash flooding, strong winds,
hail, and tornadoes. Since a thunderstorm always generates lightning,
here are a few lightning safety tips:
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Go inside a sturdy building or a hard-topped
car with the windows up if you see or hear a thunderstorm approaching.
If you can't get inside to safety, or if your hair stands on
end (an indicator that lightning is about to strike), hurry
to a low, open space immediately! Crouch down, grab your knees,
and tuck your head to your legs - get as close to the ground
as possible. |
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Move away from tall objects like trees, utility
towers, or fences. Stay away from other items that will also
attract lightning such as umbrellas, baseball bats, fishing
rods, camping equipment, and bicycles. |
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Turn off air conditioners and unplug electrical
appliances. |
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Avoid taking a bath or shower during a storm,
and using the phone except in an emergency. |
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Have a flashlight with fresh batteries ready. |
Winter Storm Safety
Would you know what to do if a Winter Storm Watch was issued in
your area? First, you have to know what it means before you can
know what to do, right? A Winter Storm Watch means that severe winter
weather, such as snow greater than six inches in the next 24 hours,
wind gusts over 35 mile per hour, or visibility less than 1/4 mile
- is expected in the next 12 to 36 hours. Here's a checklist to
help you prepare for the worst:
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Working flashlight and extra batteries. |
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Battery-powered radio or television. |
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Extra canned food, water, blankets, dry clothing,
and baby items if applicable. |
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First-aid supplies and essential medications. |
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Emergency heating source. |
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Heating fuel (propane, kerosene, fuel oil, wood,
etc.). |
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Warm coat, gloves, hat, and water-resistant boots. |
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Fire extinguisher, smoke detector, and a shovel. |
When caught at home in a Winter Storm...
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Stay indoors. When using an emergency alternative
heating source, ensure proper ventilation. |
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Close off unneeded rooms and place towels under
the doors if you have no heat. |
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Cover windows with extra blankets during the
night and let sunlight warm the house during the day. |
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Eat high-calorie, nonperishable food to heat
your body and drink to avoid dehydration. |
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Wear layers of loose-fitting, light-weight, warm
clothing, but remove layers to prevent overheating, perspiration,
and chills. |
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Keep moving your arms and legs to keep the blood
circulating and to stay warm. |
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