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
| • |
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. |
| • |
Take
in objects that will blow away such as garbage cans, patio furniture,
tools, and household pets. Anchor objects that cannot be brought
inside. |
| • |
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. |
| • |
Unplug
all appliances from electrical outlets. Check with your satellite
provider before attempting to remove a dish or antenna yourself. |
| • |
Stay
away from downed power lines to avoid electrocution. |
| • |
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. |
| • |
Turn
off electricity to your pool equipment and cover an exposed pool
pump. Add extra chlorine to your half-drained pool to prevent contamination. |
| • |
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.
| • |
Monitor
the radio or television for up-to-the-minute information. Understand
what the terms mean. |
| • |
Time
permitting, move valuables to a high and dry location. |
| • |
Follow
ALL authorities' instructions such as when to evacuate or to turn
utilities off at their source. |
| • |
Execute
your evacuation plan quickly. It's simpler and safer to evacuate
before flood waters become too deep for vehicles to drive through. |
| • |
Follow
pre-determined evacuation routes. DO NOT take your own shortcuts
as the area could already be flooded! |
| • |
Stay
away from the damaged area until instructed to return. Your early
return may slow emergency operations. |
| • |
Monitor
your battery-operated radio for special instruction about where
to find temporary shelters, clothing, and food. |
| • |
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:
| • |
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. |
| • |
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. |
| • |
Turn
off air conditioners and unplug electrical appliances. |
| • |
Avoid
taking a bath or shower during a storm, and using the phone except
in an emergency. |
| • |
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:
| • |
Working
flashlight and extra batteries. |
| • |
Battery-powered
radio or television. |
| • |
Extra
canned food, water, blankets, dry clothing, and baby items if applicable. |
| • |
First-aid
supplies and essential medications. |
| • |
Emergency
heating source. |
| • |
Heating
fuel (propane, kerosene, fuel oil, wood, etc.). |
| • |
Warm
coat, gloves, hat, and water-resistant boots. |
| • |
Fire
extinguisher, smoke detector, and a shovel. |
When
caught at home in a Winter Storm...
| • |
Stay
indoors. When using an emergency alternative heating source, ensure
proper ventilation. |
| • |
Close
off unneeded rooms and place towels under the doors if you have
no heat. |
| • |
Cover
windows with extra blankets during the night and let sunlight warm
the house during the day. |
| • |
Eat
high-calorie, nonperishable food to heat your body and drink to
avoid dehydration. |
| • |
Wear
layers of loose-fitting, light-weight, warm clothing, but remove
layers to prevent overheating, perspiration, and chills. |
| • |
Keep
moving your arms and legs to keep the blood circulating and to stay
warm. |
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