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Severe Weather

Hurricanes

• Hurricanes are dangerous and can cause major damage because of storm surge, wind, and flooding. Survival is increased when the public know what to do before hurricane season begins, when a hurricane approaches, when the storm is in the area, and after a hurricane leaves. Hurricane hazards such as tropical storms and tropical depressions can also be devastating to communities.
• Prepare for Hurricanes
  The Atlantic Hurricane Season is from June 1- November 30.
  Finding out how rain, wind, and water impact your residence is key to being prepared. Click to view your flood zone risk. • Make an emergency plan for the home, office, daycare and most frequently visited places.
  Know your evacuation zone. In case you must leave quickly, learn and practice with the household, pets and identify where you will stay.
• Stay Safe During
  • Pay attention to emergency information and alerts. If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone and local officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.
  • Determine if you need to take refuge in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds. If you must go to a group shelter, remember to take medications, personal items for comfort and determine if the shelter is animal friendly.

• After the Storm
  • Listen to local officials for information and special instructions.
  • Wear protective clothing for clean-up activities.
  • If electrical equipment is wet or in standing water, do not touch. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker box to prevent electric shock.
  • Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.

Thunderstorms & Lightening

•  Thunderstorms are defined as a rain-bearing cloud that also produces lighting.
• Looks like powerful winds over 50 MPH. Can cause hail, flash flooding and tornadoes.
• If impacted by a thunderstorm warning:
  • Find safe shelter right away. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!
  • Be mindful of weather reports and warnings of thunderstorms. Be ready to change plans, if necessary, to be near shelter.
  • Avoid flooded roadways. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
• Lighting is unpredictable and often strikes outside of the heavy rain in the thunderstorm.
• Prepare by knowing the area’s risk for thunderstorms. Create an emergency plan so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from the effects of a thunderstorm.
• Identify nearby, sturdy buildings close to where you live, work, study, and play.
• Consider buying surge protectors, rechargeable batteries to help protect your home, appliances and charge electronic devices.

Tornadoes

• Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes can destroy buildings, flip cars, and create deadly flying debris.
  • Tornadoes can happen anywhere and anytime.
  • Bring intense winds, over 200 miles per hour.
  • Look like funnels.
• If impacted by a tornado warning:
  • Go to a safe shelter immediately, such as a safe room that is on the interior and lowest level of a sturdy building.
  • Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
  • Do not go under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.
  • Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death.
  • Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
  • If you can’t stay at home, make plans to go to a public shelter.

Transportation Incidents

• Transportation incidents can occur as a result of a vehicle crash, vehicle breakdown or special event that causes a reduction or increase in the highway capacity. It can include modes of transportation that include cars, boats, trains, and other modes of transportation.
• If involved in a transportation incident stop and assess the situation. Then call 9-1-1 if there are medical or fire concerns. 9-1-1- will be used to request law enforcement assistance. Request that law enforcement file a written report.
• Preparedness measures include reviewing the road conditions before traveling. Check with the National Weather Service. Have a vehicle emergency kit and include water and snacks.

Wildfires

• Wildfires are unplanned fires that burn in natural areas like forests, grasslands or prairies.
• Prepare for wildfires by making an emergency plan. Practice evacuating your home, practice with household pets and identify a safe space where you will go.
• Gather supplies: Have enough supplies for your household, include medication, disinfectant supplies, masks, and pet supplies in your emergency bag or car trunk. Purchase backup charging devices to power electronics and keep your cell phone charged when wildfires could be in your area.
• If impacted by a wildfire, make sure everyone in your household knows and understands what to do if you need to quickly evacuate. Follow the instructions from local authorities. They will provide up to date recommendations based on the threat to your community.

Make a Plan

• Details about why it is important to make a plan and links to FEMA ready.gov/kids.
• The importance of a family emergency plan is that it directs you and your family on what to do, where to go and who to contact if there is an emergency event.
• Discuss the types of disasters most likely to happen in your area and explain what to do in each case.
  • Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disasters ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety and will help everyone know how to appropriately respond.
• Pick two places to meet.
  • Pick a place right outside of your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire, and choose a place outside of your neighborhood in case you can’t return home or are asked to leave your neighborhood. Everyone must know the address and phone number of the meeting locations.
• Develop an emergency communication plan. Watch the Disaster Dodgers for tips! Family Communications Plan and Emergency Kit
  • In case family members are separated from one another during floods or other disasters, have a plan for getting back together. Separation is a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school.
• Discuss what to do if authorities ask you to evacuate.
  • Make arrangements for a place to stay with a friend or relative who lives out of town and/or learn about shelter locations. Be familiar with escape routes. Depending on the type of disaster, it may be necessary to evacuate your home. Plan several escape routes in case certain roads are blocked or closed. Remember to always follow the advice of local officials during evacuation situations.

Click the backpack image to play interactive games to get a kit prepared in case you are affected by an emergency.