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Weather Safety PowerPoint

 
 

PREPARATION:

        OBJECTIVE: To be able to understand the importance of being prepared and reacting if severe weather was to hit your area.

         OVERVIEW:

· Lighting Safety

· Tornado Safety

· Thunderstorm Safety

· Disaster Supply Kit

Lighting Safety:

Each year lighting causes an average of 93 deaths and 300 injuries in the United State . Lighting claims more life's every year than tornadoes. When lighting is a threat, stay indoors. If you are caught outside, keep a safe distance from tall objects and try to stay lower than anything nearby. A safe distance from a tree is twice its height.

· Postpone outdoor activities if Thunderstorms are imminent.

· Move to a sturdy building or hard-top automobile (keep the windows up and avoid touching metal in the automobile. Stay away from tall objects.

· Do not take a bath or shower during a thunderstorm.

· Avoid using electrical appliances. Turn off air conditioners and unplug any unnecessary appliances.

· Use phone only in an emergency

Tornado Safety:

Mid-afternoon through early evening is the most likely time for a tornado, but they can strike at any time. They can travel at speeds up to 70 miles per hour and

Contain winds estimated at over 200 miles an hour.

Funnel Clouds:

  • The funnel cloud of a tornado consists of moist air. As the funnel descends the water vapor within it condenses into liquid droplets. The liquid droplets are identical to cloud droplets yet are not considered part of the cloud since they form within the funnel. The descending funnel is made visible because of the water droplets. The funnel takes on the color of the cloud droplets, which is white. Due to the air movement, dust and debris on the ground will begin rotating often becoming several feet high and hundreds of yards wide.

Funnel Touch Down:

  • After the funnel touches the ground and becomes a tornado, the color of the funnel will change. The color often depends upon the type of dirt and debris is moves over(red dirt produces a red tornado. Black dirt a black tornadoes) at the center of the tornado the vortex is open and the air is clear, not too unlike a hurricane.

Tornado Time on Ground:

  • Tornados can last from several seconds to more than an hour but most last less than 10 minutes. The size and / or shape of a tornado is no measure of its strength. Occasionally, small tornados do major damage and some very large toranados, over a quarter-mile wide, have produced only light damage the tornado will gradually lose intensity. The condensation funnel decrease in size, the tornado becomes tilted with height, and takes on a contorted, rope-like appearance before it completely dissipates.

Sometimes an approaching tornado will sound like the roar of a train or airplane. If you see or hear a tornado, take cover immediately. Seek shelter inside, preferably below ground level. Do not waste time opening windows, tornado-force winds will open the windows well before the pressure difference can cause any structural damage. Above all, protect your head and lie flat. A tornado is a violent, rotating column of air extending from the thunderstorm to the ground.

        Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible. Watch the sky and listen to the radio or television for more information, be prepared to take shelter. If you see rotating funnel-shape clouds, report them immediately by phone to your local law enforcement agency. IF YOU LIVE IN A MOBILE HOME, THIS IS THE TIME TO MOVE TO A MORE SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURE.

        Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter. Turn on battery-operated radio or television and wait for the "all clear" announcement by authorities. During a warning take the following action when a warning has been issued by the National Weather Service, when sirens have been activated or a tornado has been sighted.

        What to do:

  • At Home go to your predetermined shelter (storm cellar, basement or the lowest level of the building) in a basement, go under the stairs, under a heavy piece of furniture or work bench. Stay there until the danger has passed.
  • If there is no basement. Go to the inner hallway or a small inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet
  • Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
  • Go to the center of the room. Outside windows and walls may be penetrated by high speed, wind-borne missiles.
  • Get under a piece of sturdy furniture, such as a work bench or heavy table and hold on to it. If sturdy furniture is not available, make yourself the smallest target possible, Squat low to the ground put your head down and cover your head and neck with your hands.
  • Use pillows, mattress or cushion to protect your head and neck.
  • If in a Mobil home, get out and seek shelter elsewhere. A Mobil home can overturn very easily even if precaution has been taken to tie down the unit. If there isn't a substantial shelter nearby, seek shelter in a low-lying area shield your head with your hands.

If IN SCHOOL/Nursing Home/Factory/Shopping Center or at Work:

· Go to the basement or to an inside hallway on the lowest level.

· Avoid places with wide-span roofs, such as auditoriums, cafeterias, gumnasiums and large hallways. Stay away from open windows and open spaces.

· If in a high-rise building go to small interior rooms or hallways on the lowest level possible and seek protection as detail above. Stay away from windows and outside walls.

     IF OUTDOORS:

· If possible get inside a substantial building.

· If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, Lie in a ditch culvert or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Use your arms and hands to protect your head and neck. Beware of the potential for flash flooding.

     IF IN A VEHICLE:

  • Never try to out run a tornado in a vehicle. Heavy rain, hail and traffic may impede your movement. Tornadoes can change directions quickly and can easily lift up a vehicle and toss it through the air.
  • Get out of the vehicle immediately and try to take shelter in a nearby building.
  • If there isn't time to get indoors, get out of the vehicle and lie in a ditch, culvert or low-lying area from the vehicle.

AFTER A TORNADO:

· Monitor the radio or television for emergency information or instruction

· Check for injured victims. Render first aid if necessary

· Check on neighbors or relatives who may require special assistance.

· Do not try to move severely injured victims unless absolutely necessary. Wait for emergency medical assistance to arrive.

· Use telephone only for emergency calls.

· Exit damage building. Re-enter only if absolutely necessary using great caution.

· Take photo or videotape the damage to your home or property. If driving, be alert for hazards on the road way.

· If unaffected by the tornado. Stay out of the damage area until allowed to enter by officials. Your presence may hamper emergency operation.

· Do not move any materials lying around could cause more damage or could be energize.

Thunderstorms:

     Severe Thunderstorm Watch: severe thunderstorms are possible. Watch the sky and listen to the radio or television for more information. Be prepared to take shelter.

     Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe thunderstorms are occurring. Take shelter. Turn on a battery-operated radio or television to receive warning and severe weather statements.

BEFORE A THUNDERSTORM:

· Check the weather forecast before leaving for extended outdoor periods and postpone plans if severe weather is imminent.

· Keep a list of emergency phone numbers. Teach children how to call 911 for emergency assistance.

· Choose a friend or family member who lives out of the area for separated family to call to report their where about and condition.

· Keep important documents and records in a safe deposit box or other secure location.

        During a thunderstorm:

· Close all windows and doors. Draw shades or blinds to reduce the risk from flying glass if window or glass breaks due to high winds.

· Monitor the television or radio for the latest weather information.

· Avoid using telephone or other special appliances until the storms passes.

· Turn off air condition if lighting strikes, a power surge could damage the compressor.

· Delay taking a bath or shower until after the storm passes.

· If out doors seek shelter immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are probably close enough to the storm to be struck by lighting.

· If you are in a boat when a thunderstorm threatens, you should attempt to reach shore as quickly as possible.

· If you're driving, pull safely to the shoulder away from trees and power lines. Lighting can flash from trees or power poles into a vehicle through the antenna. Normally, in the open, a vehicle is safe shelter from lighting. Avoid touching metal parts of the vehicle when lighting is nearby.

· If you find yourself in a position where there is no immediate shelter available, find a low spot away from trees and power poles where you can squat low to the ground. Make yourself the smallest target.

        After the thunderstorm:

· Monitor the radio or television for emergency information or instruction.

· Check for injured victims. Render first aid if necessary. Most victims struck by lighting can be revived with CPR. Do not attempt to move severely injured victims unless absolutely necessary. Wait for emergency medical assistance to arrive.

· Take photos or videotape the damage to your home or property.

· Do not make unnecessary phone calls.

· If driving, be alert for hazards on the road way.

· Check on neighbors or relatives who may require special assistance.

· Do not move any materials may cause more damage or could be energize.

SUPPLY KIT

1. Three day supply of water (one gallon per person) Non-Perishable Food.

2. Cash.

3. Manual Can Opener.

4. Disposable Plates Cups/Plates and Untensils.

5. Toilet Paper. Paper Towels.

6. Plastic Garbage Bags.

7. One change of Clothing and Foot Wear.

8. One Blanket or Sleeping Bag per Person.

9. First-Aid Kit Including Prescription Medicines.

10. Fire Extinguisher.

11. Emergency Tools, Weather Radio or portable Radio.

12. Battery-Operated Flash or Lantern and Extra Batteries.

13. Extra Set of Car Keys.

14. Special Items for Infant, Elderly or Disable Family Members

15. Cell Phone.

16. Camera and Film (Insurance Purposes)

17. Books/Magazines and Toys.

18. Insect Repellant and Sun Screen.