Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters

1. Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters

2. What Are Weather Emergencies? • Weather emergenciesare dangerous situations brought on by changes in the atmosphere. Common weather emergencies include storms, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, and thunderstorms.

3. Guidelines for Hurricanes • Board up windows and doors. Bring in items such as outdoor furniture and bicycles inside. • Evacuate immediately if the NWS or local officials advise you to do so. • If no evacuation is advised, stay indoors. Be prepared for power loss by keeping a working flashlight and battery-powered radio on hand. • Prepare an emergency kit.

4. Blizzard and Thunderstorms • A blizzard is a very heavy snowstorm with winds of up to 45 miles per hour. Stay inside during a blizzard. Keep a flashlight and battery-powered radio on hand, both with extra batteries in case of power loss. • Thunderstorms can occur almost anywhere, but they usually cause only minor damage. Stay inside or seek shelter during the storm. • Unplug electrical appliances, and avoid using

5. The telephone or running water until the storm has passed. • If caught outdoors, squat low to the ground in an open area. • Keep away from electrical poles and wires, tall trees, water, and metal objects.

6. Tornadoes • A tornado is a whirling, funnel – shaped windstorm that drops from the sky to ground. • Tornadoes can cause the most severe destruction of all storms. • If a tornado watch is issued for your area, use a battery-powered radio to listen for further updates, and prepare to take shelter. • If a tornado warning is issued, take shelter immediately.

7. Where to go. You will be safest underground in a cellar or basement. If you can’t get underground, go to a windowless interior room or hallway. • If you are outdoors, lie in a ditch or flat on the ground. Stay away from trees, cars, and buildings, which could fall on you. • What to do. Cover yourself with whatever protection you can find, such as a mattress or heavy blanket.

8. Natural Disasters • Floods can happen almost anywhere at any time. • If the NWS issue a flood watch for your area, move valuable items to higher levels of your home, and keep your emergency kit handy. • A flood warning means that you should evacuate your home. If so advised, move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, and creeks. Warning of a flash flood requires immediate evacuation.

9. Safety Rules • Never walk, ride a bike , or drive a car through the water. Drowning or electrocution from downed power lines. • Drink only bottled water. Floods can pollute the water supply. • If an evacuation is ordered, return home only after being advised that it is safe to do so. • Throw away contaminated food. Disinfect anything that come in contact with floodwaters.

10. Earthquakes • An earthquake is a violent shaking of the earth’s surface. • Aftershocksare secondary earthquakes.

11. Emergency Supplies Kit • Can food Note: Three day supplies all items for your family • Flashlight • Batteries • Gallon jugs of water • First aid kit • Can opener • Small battery powered radio