Tag Archives: hurricanes

General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

WIERD WEATHER IN THE UNITED STATES!

As we say in Texas, “if you don’t like the weather, hang around for a while….. it’ll change!”  It’s either feast or famine, no happy in-between most of the time.  Last year, many parts of the Southwest experienced a drought they will never forget.  Tanks were dry, animals had to be sold due to a lack of both water and growth of food.  This year, thankfully, in many parts of Texas, rains have come pretty regularly and things have greened up better than usual.  However, we’re experiencing a pretty dry July, so we have much more heat ahead of us.  So, we continue to pray for rain. 

This year, wildfires have devastated Colorado, New Mexico, and other Southwestern states, as well as northern states, too.  People have lost their homes and everything they have.  Firefighters do everything they can to contain them; however, Mother Nature controls the winds and other conditions that make them hard to contain.

In the southeast, it’s the opposite: hurricanes develop in the states that border the Gulf Coast.  Much destruction has been experienced there, as well.  It is hard to stay dry in states that get a large accumulation of rain at one time.  Also, I’ve seen quite a few baseball games, and even the Olympic time trials in Oregon, where the rain had no mercy.  Times like that require some coverage – such as some new rain gear! 

It’s best to be prepared regardless  where we live.  Stay alert to weather forecasts by using your NOAA radio or other weather forecast systems.  There are several mobile apps that you can put on your cell phone free.  Have an emergency plan, just in case, along with a supply of water, non-perishable food, flashlight, cell phone, can opener, blankets, pet food, medicines and important papers you don’t want to lose.  Most things can be replaced, but we only get one time around in life.  

Our friends in other countries have certain weather conditions that we don’t have, so it is important that worldwide, we are ready when nature takes over.  Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and other devastating events have taken lives and greatly disrupted  normal ways of life.  Weather happenings are not of our making, so we must try to contend with them the best we can.  

Just remember, whatever type of work you do, there is some type of Home Safety Supplies that will be of great help to you when you must be outdoors.  You will notice that all rescue personnel wear their gear when they are carrying out their duties in times of emergencies, so let’s take advantage of the standard required protection, regardless of the weather, or other conditions.

General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

ARE WE PREPARED?

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This year, the United States has seen more than its fair share of natural disasters: the beginning of hurricane season, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires.  Sometimes, wildfires are natural, because they begin with lightning, or others acts of nature; however, they may be intentionally set.  If you ask all those thousands of citizens who have been affected by any of the above devestation, there’s the possibility that they were not prepared. 

This information from www.ready.gov supports how we and other safety sites have advised you on how to be prepared for these disasters.  Many of the suggestions are the same for each type of occurrence: tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes.  

Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms.  They can appear suddenly without warning and can be invisible until dust and debris are picked up or a funnel cloud appears.  You must be prepared to act quickly, by planning and practicing specifically how and where you take shelter.  Tornadoes are more common in the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest; however,  they can happen in any state and at any time of the year; therefore advance preparation is vitally important. 

Hurricanes are usually forecast ahead of time, which gives businesses and individuals time to get ready before they touch land.  Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential.  Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.  

A hurricane or tornado watch means that this event is possible in your area.  Be prepared to evacuate, and listen to your local weather and law enforcement agencies  when they tell you to leave your home.  A hurricane or tornado warning is when this natural disaster is expected in your area.  Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the most current weather developments. 

Flooding is the nation’s most common natural disaster.  This can happen in every U.S. state and territory.  Some may develop slowly during rain, or others, such as flash floods can occur quickly.  If you live in a low-lying area, near a lake, or downstream from a dam, it is always important to be prepared for flooding situations.  Never try to drive through flowing water in low places; the current has the power to push your vehicle off the road.

With any or all of these events possible, the same suggestions apply:

Have an Emergency Supply Kit:

  • Bottled water;
  • Battery-operated radio;
  • Cell phone;
  • First Aid Kit;
  • Flashlight
  • Important documents and prescription medications;
  • Sleeping bags and pillows and changes of clothing;
  • Three-day supply of non-perishable food;
  • Manual can opener and plastic eating utensils;
  • Avoid salty foods that make you thirsty;
  • High energy foods;
  • Food for infants;
  • Pet foods;
  • Crackers, nuts, peanut butter, dry cereal, granola bars, fruit bars. 

Have a Family Emergency Plan.  You may all be scattered if disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact each other, how you will get back together, and what you will do.  Plan places where you can meet.  Out-of-town contacts may be in a better position to communicate among separated families. 

Have a Business Emergency Plan.  Think about how you may keep your business going during times that your building is not accessible.  Consider if you could run your business from a different location or from your home, or develop relationships with other companies to use their facilities in case a disaster makes your location unusable. 

Hopefully, you will be spared from any of these disasters, but just in case, think seriously about how you and your family can best be prepared to handle any situation that may arise. 

Source: ready.gov/America/beinformed

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

IT’S “HURRICANE WATCHING” TIME AGAIN!

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Because Hurricane Season began June 1 and continues through November 30th, FEMA Administrator, Craig Fugate, says “The tornadoes that devastated the South and the large amount of flooding we’ve seen this spring should serve as a reminder that disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. As we move into this hurricane season it’s important to remember that FEMA is just part of an emergency management team that includes the entire federal family, state, local and tribal governments, the private sector and most importantly the public.”  Now is the time to get your plan together for what you and your family would do if disaster strikes.  Businesses and families should be ready for all types of emergencies:

Climate factors considered for this outlook are:

  • The continuing high activity era. Since 1995, the tropical multi-decadal signal has brought ocean and atmospheric conditions conducive for development in sync, leading to more active Atlantic hurricane seasons.
  • Warm Atlantic Ocean water. Sea surface temperatures where storms often develop and move across the Atlantic are up to two degrees Fahrenheit warmer-than-average.
  • La Niña, which continues to weaken in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, is expected to dissipate in June, but its impacts such as reduced wind shear are expected to continue into the hurricane season.

NOAA expects that there will be twelve to eighteen named storms, six to ten could become hurricanes, three to six becoming major hurricanes.  Categories of hurricanes are as follow:

  • Category 1 – maximum sustained wind speed of 74-95 mph.  Damage category – minimal. 
  • Category 2 – Maximum sustained wind speed of 96-110 mph, with moderate damage category. 
  • Category 3 – maximum sustained wind speed of 111-130 mph,  with extensive damage category. 
  • Category 4 – maximum sustained wind speed of 131-155 mph, with extreme damage category. 
  • Category 5 – maximum sustained wind speed above 155, catastrophic damage category.  There have been only three Category 5 hurricanes in the United States since records were kept: Labor Day Hurricane (1935) in the Florida Keyes; Hurricane Camille (1969), near the mouth of the Mississippi River, and Hurricane Andrew (1992) in Florida.

Have you ever wondered who decides on the names of the Hurricanes?  A pre-approved list of Atlantic Ocean tropical storm/hurricane names is decided by the National Hurricane Center.  Beginning in 1953, the NHC’s list consisted of only female  names.  Since 1979, the lists alternate between male and female; however, no names beginning with a “Q” or “U” are used.  Six lists are rotated but when a hurricane is so devastating, the name is retired and given a new one.  This year’s list is from the 2005 one; however, four of them have been retired. Here are the names for 2011; let’s hope they run out of storms before they run out of names!

Arlene; Bret; Cindy; Don (replaces Dennis); Emily; Franklin; Gert; Harvey; Irene; Jose; Katia (replaces Katrina); Lee; Maria; Nate; Ophelia; Philippe; Rina (replaces Rita); Sean (Replaces Stan); Tammy; Vince; Whitney (replaces Wilma). 

When warned, already have your plans underway:

  • Secure your home;
  • Have your papers in order;
  • Have a first aid kit, flashlight, batteries and cellphone;
  • Have all medicines ready;
  • Notify next of kin or friends you may need to stay with them;
  • Plan for any elderly members of your family and your pets;
  • Have adequate supplies of water and non-perishable foods;
  • Do not return to your town until authorities give permission; downed power lines could cause injuries.

For those who have already gone through floods and tornadoes, as well as everyone else, let’s hope and pray the tropical storms will just disappear into the air – they aren’t welcome ashore!

Sources: FEMA, NOAA, National Weather Service