Preparing for Disasters: Tornadoes and Winter Storms
Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. Families may not be together and you may not have access to cell phones, gas stations, grocery stores or some of the other things that you are used to having every day. By taking a few simple steps now, each of us can make sure we are better prepared for the next emergency or disaster.
Every area and every disaster is different.
5. Tornadoes
Almost every state is at risk for tornadoes. They can appear suddenly, with a damaging path that can be more than a mile wide and 50 miles long. Moving in any direction, they can occur at any time of day.
• Consider having a safe room since, even if your house is built to code, that does not mean it can withstand extreme storms such as tornadoes. You can have it site-built or install a manufactured safe room. A constructed or manufactured safe room or storm shelter should meet the guidance of the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) and the International Code Council (ICC) Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters (NSSA/ICC-500).
• Notice of a tornado sighting is typically short — about 15 minutes, if at all. Be aware of changing weather. Look for a greenish sky, large hail, and/or a dark low-lying cloud. If a tornado “watch” is issued, it means conditions are favorable for severe weather. You must remain alert and stay tuned to your local news station. If a tornado “warning” is issued, it means one has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and you need to take shelter immediately.
• If you don’t have a safe room, contact local government leaders to learn if your community has designated tornado shelters and their locations.
Every area and every disaster is different.
5. Tornadoes
Almost every state is at risk for tornadoes. They can appear suddenly, with a damaging path that can be more than a mile wide and 50 miles long. Moving in any direction, they can occur at any time of day.
• Consider having a safe room since, even if your house is built to code, that does not mean it can withstand extreme storms such as tornadoes. You can have it site-built or install a manufactured safe room. A constructed or manufactured safe room or storm shelter should meet the guidance of the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) and the International Code Council (ICC) Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters (NSSA/ICC-500).
• Notice of a tornado sighting is typically short — about 15 minutes, if at all. Be aware of changing weather. Look for a greenish sky, large hail, and/or a dark low-lying cloud. If a tornado “watch” is issued, it means conditions are favorable for severe weather. You must remain alert and stay tuned to your local news station. If a tornado “warning” is issued, it means one has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and you need to take shelter immediately.
• If you don’t have a safe room, contact local government leaders to learn if your community has designated tornado shelters and their locations.
6. Severe Winter Storms
Major winter storms can bring snow, hail, freezing rain, and extreme cold that can leave you powerless in more ways than one.
• Stay current on local and regional weather forecasts.
• Add rock salt, sand, and snow shovels to your emergency supplies.
• Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel to last more than what might be the intended length of the storm. In winter, it’s always good to be well stocked in case of changing weather conditions.
• Learn how to shut off water valves in case a pipe bursts. If pipes freeze, remove insulation, wrap pipes in rags, and open all faucets.
• Keep your home cooler than usual to save heating fuel. Layer your clothes and use blankets instead.
• If you need to use small portable kerosene heaters, ventilate the toxic fumes by opening a window to allow in fresh air.
• Stay dry and warm. Don’t wear yourself out, get cold and wet, or endanger your health by being out in the middle of the storm.
• Watch for a loss of feeling or a whitish color in your fingers and toes that may signal frostbite. The signs of hypothermia are shivering, disorientation, and slurred speech.
• Save the battery power of flashlights, radios, or other equipment. Use candles if you need light but be careful that a fire does not start.
• In case of a household emergency, try to keep your home exits and car clear of snow. You may want to arrange ahead of time with a shoveling and snowplow service to help you do this.
Did you know that more than 1,170 tornadoes occur in the United States each year? The number of deaths and the amount of destruction is beyond comprehension. There is so little time to escape a tornado, so you literally just have to grab and go. A major winter storm can last for several days and be accompanied by high winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall, and cold temperatures. People can become trapped at home, without utilities or other services. Heavy snowfall and blizzards can trap motorists in their cars.
Would you be prepared for a tornado or winter storm? At Game Plan Preppers, we can help you develop a plan and provide you with items you will need to keep you and your loved ones safe and protected. For more information, contact us! Your safety is our number one priority!
Major winter storms can bring snow, hail, freezing rain, and extreme cold that can leave you powerless in more ways than one.
• Stay current on local and regional weather forecasts.
• Add rock salt, sand, and snow shovels to your emergency supplies.
• Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel to last more than what might be the intended length of the storm. In winter, it’s always good to be well stocked in case of changing weather conditions.
• Learn how to shut off water valves in case a pipe bursts. If pipes freeze, remove insulation, wrap pipes in rags, and open all faucets.
• Keep your home cooler than usual to save heating fuel. Layer your clothes and use blankets instead.
• If you need to use small portable kerosene heaters, ventilate the toxic fumes by opening a window to allow in fresh air.
• Stay dry and warm. Don’t wear yourself out, get cold and wet, or endanger your health by being out in the middle of the storm.
• Watch for a loss of feeling or a whitish color in your fingers and toes that may signal frostbite. The signs of hypothermia are shivering, disorientation, and slurred speech.
• Save the battery power of flashlights, radios, or other equipment. Use candles if you need light but be careful that a fire does not start.
• In case of a household emergency, try to keep your home exits and car clear of snow. You may want to arrange ahead of time with a shoveling and snowplow service to help you do this.
Did you know that more than 1,170 tornadoes occur in the United States each year? The number of deaths and the amount of destruction is beyond comprehension. There is so little time to escape a tornado, so you literally just have to grab and go. A major winter storm can last for several days and be accompanied by high winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall, and cold temperatures. People can become trapped at home, without utilities or other services. Heavy snowfall and blizzards can trap motorists in their cars.
Would you be prepared for a tornado or winter storm? At Game Plan Preppers, we can help you develop a plan and provide you with items you will need to keep you and your loved ones safe and protected. For more information, contact us! Your safety is our number one priority!