Severe Weather Awareness Week: NOAA Weather Radio and Emergency Alert System

NOAA Weather Radio and Emergency Alert System

NOAA Weather Radio

• Also known as “EMERGENCY ALERT RADIO”.
• Provides updated weather information continuously.
• Provide warnings of severe weather and civil emergencies such as unsafe roadways, hazardous materials spills, and amber alerts.
• Radios with SAME technology are capable of being programmed for specific counties
• Etowah County’s SAME code is 001055.
• Keep fresh batteries in radio to provide power in case of power outage.
• Test batteries occasionally by unplugging radio. If radio stays on, then batteries are good. If radio powers off, then replace batteries. Don’t forget to plug the radio up again after testing.

Emergency Alert System

• Also referred to as the EAS
• Links National Weather Service, emergency management agencies, and certain media outlets together to broadcast emergency information in a timely manner.
• Etowah County EAS stations:

AM Radio

WAAX 570

WGAD 930

WMGJ 1240

WJBY 1350

FM Radio

WSGN 91.5

WGMZ 93.1

WKXX 102.9

WQEN 103.7

WQSB 105.1

Television

WTJP-Trinity Broadcasting Network

WPXH-ION Television

WJSU-ABC 33/40

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Flooding and Flash Flooding

Flooding and Flash Flooding

Floods-Flooding is the nation’s most common natural disaster. Flooding is such an issue, that it is the only natural disaster which the federal government provides insurance against (National Flood Insurance Program). River flooding normally occurs as the result of prolonged rainfall. It can also be caused by a dam break. It is a prolonged event in which water remains over an area for days or weeks.

Flash Floods-Flash flooding occurs when an area receives an abundant amount of rainfall in a short amount of time. Flash Floods are especially dangerous to motorists who attempt to drive through standing water. Low-lying areas and run-offs are particularly prone to flash floods.

Preparing for a Flood

• Know where you will evacuate to if a river flood threatens your home.
• Avoid building in floodplain areas.
• Elevate your home’s furnace, water heater, and electric panel if your home is susceptible to flooding.
• Install “check valves in sewer taps to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.
• Most homeowner’s insurance policies DO NOT cover flood damage. Contact your insurance agent for information regarding flood insurance.

Before a Flood

• Monitor weather conditions.
• Prepare to evacuate if your property is threatened by river flooding.
• If you are driving in heavy rainfall, slow down and watch for ponding of water on roadways.

During a Flood

• DO NOT drive through water that covers roadways.
• DO NOT walk or drive through flowing water. Six inches of moving water can sweep a person off their feet.
• Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.
• Go to higher ground if river flooding threatens your home.

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Tornadoes

Tornadoes

Tornadoes-On average, Alabama ranks 13^th in the amount of tornadoes reported, but 3^rd in tornado related deaths and injuries. Last year, one person was killed in Marshall County by an EF-1 tornado, accounting for the only tornado-related fatality in Alabama in 2009. Nationally, 21 fatalities were reported

Preparing for Tornadoes

• Review your options for a tornado safe place. Find a place on the lowest floor that puts as many walls between you and the outside. If you live in a mobile home, consider alternative places to go before a tornado warning is issued.
• Practice your tornado plan. Make sure your family knows where to go, and what to do when a tornado warning is issued.
• Consider building a tornado safe room within your home.

Before a Tornado

• Monitor weather conditions, and be aware if hazardous weather is forecast for Alabama.
• Make sure your Emergency Alert Radio (Emergency Alert Radio) is set to receive alerts for Etowah County (SAME code 001055).
• Ensure that you have working flashlights and battery operated radio in case of power failure.
• Cancel or postpone travel plans if possible.

During a Tornado

• Go to your safe place. Protect your head with a pillow, helmet, or your arms.
• If inside a mobile home, a car, or if caught outside, leave and seek shelter on the lowest floor of a nearby sturdy building. If there is no sturdy building available, lie down flat in a ditch with your arms covering your head. DO NOT get under a bridge or try to outrun the tornado
• Stay sheltered until your area is cleared of its tornado warning.

Truths and Myths

Myth: Area lakes, rivers, and mountains are safe from tornadoes

Truth: No place is safe from tornadoes. A tornado near Yellowstone National Park left a path of destruction up and down a 10,000 foot mountain.

Myth: Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches/

Truth: Leave windows alone. The most important action is to immediately go to your safe place.

Myth: If you are driving and a tornado is sighted, you should turn and drive at right angles to the storm.

Truth: The best thing to do is to seek the best available shelter. Many people are injured or killed when remaining in their vehicles.

Myth: Highway overpasses provide good shelter if caught outside.

Truth: Take shelter in a sturdy building if possible. If not, a ditch or culvert provides better protection than a highway overpass.

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Lightning

Lightning

Lightning-Lightning occurs in all thunderstorms. It causes an average of 58 fatalities a year in the United States. Last year, lightning resulted in over 30 fatalities in the United States. One person was killed in Alabama last year due to lightning. This fatality was an Atmore woman who was struck while taking out the trash.

Preparing for a Lightning

• Be aware of weather conditions.
• If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
• Learn CPR. People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge, and will need medical attention. You may be their best hope for survival. Call the Etowah County Red Cross at 547-8667 to find out more about CPR classes.

During a Lightning Storm

• Find shelter inside a sturdy building or car. Keep windows closed.
• Avoid electrical appliances and plumbing. Cordless phones and wireless phones are ok to use; wired phones are NOT.
• Stay away from windows.
• If caught outside, get to an open area away from trees and metal objects such as poles.
• 30/30 rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

Truths and Myths

Myth: If it is not raining, there is no danger from lightning.

Truth: Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall

Myth: The rubber soles of shoes or tires on a car will protect you from being struck by lightning.

Truth: Rubber-soled shoes and tires provide NO protection from lightning. The steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if lightning strikes a car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.

Myth: “Heat lightning” occurs after very hot summer days.

Truth: “Heat lightning” is a term used to describe lightning from a thunderstorm too far away for thunder to be heard.

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Severe Thunderstorms

Severe Thunderstorms-The National Weather Service considers a storm severe if it has winds of 58+ mph, or at least ¾” in diameter (penny sized). Straight-line winds that occur ahead of, or inside a thunderstorm can cause damage equal to or greater than a tornado. Thunderstorms always produce lightning, which is responsible for more deaths in the United States than tornadoes. Hail from thunderstorms can cause injury and damage to vehicles, structures, and trees.

Preparing for a Severe Thunderstorm

• Get an Emergency Alert Radio.
• Ensure you have a disaster supply kit which contains plenty of water, non-perishable food, manual can opener, flashlight, radio, batteries, medications, and first aid kit.
• Keep trees and shubbery trimmed. Remove damaged limbs and branches. These can become airborne missiles in high winds.
• Consider permanent shutters for windows.

Before a Severe Thunderstorm

• Monitor weather conditions.
• Make sure your Emergency Alert Radio is set to receive alerts for Etowah County (SAME code 001055).
• Insure that you have working flashlights and a battery operated radio in case of a power failure
• Make sure your cell phone is fully charged.
• Cancel or postpone outdoor plans until bad weather has passed.
• Secure outdoor furniture or light objects that can be blown away in high winds.
• Pull automobiles under a garage or shed if possible to protect from hail.

During a Severe Thunderstorm

• If outdoors, get indoors immediately. If caught outside of a substantial structure, seek shelter inside an automobile (unless a tornado warning has been issued). If none of these are available, crouch down with only your feet on the ground (do not lie flat).
• Shut blinds or curtains to shield from possible broken glass.
• Avoid contact with electrical appliances and plumbing. You may use cordless or wireless phones, but not wired phones.
• If driving, pull off to the side of the road where safe. Avoid heavily wooded areas and standing or flowing water on roads. Turn on emergency blinkers.