APPENDIX C:

GENERAL SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY

1. TORNADOES AND SEVERE (DAMAGING) WINDS

The greatest danger is from flying debris (airborne missiles) and the collapse of a building's roof and/or wall structure. The following actions are designed for protection from these dangers.

In a building (home, school, etc.):

1. Move to a pre-designated shelter such as a basement.
2. If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor - stay away from windows.
3. If at all possible, get under something, such as a table, and place something over your head like a blanket or a coat.

In a mobile home or other temporary shelter:

1. If possible, move to a pre-designated safe shelter.
2. If no shelter is accessible, abandon mobile home immediately and get into a low area, preferably a ditch or ravine if nearby, and lie flat.

In a vehicle (car, bus, truck, etc.):

1. If possible, get into a well constructed building.
2. Otherwise, abandon vehicle immediately and seek shelter in a low area, preferably a ditch or ravine if nearby, and lie flat.
3. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle.

On foot with no well constructed shelter nearby:

1. Seek shelter in a low area, preferably a ditch or ravine if nearby, and lie flat.

After the storm (if a tornado has damaged your residence):

1. Turn off gas at the main switch to your home or building.
2. If live electrical wires are down, turn off power at the main switch.
3. Instruct people not to touch loose electrical wires or broken utility lines.
4. Do not touch electrical equipment in wet areas until it has been dried and tested.
5. Food, clothing, shelter, and first aid will be available at Red Cross shelters.

2. HAIL

The greatest danger comes from the high velocities with which large hail can impact a surface (speeds greater than 100 mph).

1. Seek inside shelter.
2. Stay away from skylights and windows.

One final consideration is that large hail is a sign that this is a powerful and potentially dangerous storm. Hail often falls from the same area of a thunderstorm where a tornado is found. Large hail does not always imply a tornado, but if a tornado is associated with that storm and you are currently experiencing hail, then you may be very close to the tornado.

3. LIGHTNING

All thunderstorms produce lightning, by definition. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck. It need not be raining! Lightning can strike 10 to 15 miles away from the rain portion of the storm! These lightning strikes come out of the upper portions of the thunderstorm cloud which extends 5 to 10 miles into the atmosphere. In general, lightning will travel the easiest route from the cloud to the ground which means that it often strikes the highest object. Therefore, a simple rule is do not make yourself the tallest object or stand near the tallest object in your immediate area. When lightning strikes, the current will travel through the object, along the ground, along wire, metal, and water. Most lightning related injuries occur in this manner.

If inside:

1. Avoid using the telephone, except for emergencies.
2. Stay away from other electrical appliances (televisions, hair dryers etc.).

If outside:

1. Get inside a home or building.
2. If a building is not available, get inside a car (hardtop) and keep the windows rolled up.

If inside shelter is not available:

1. Do not stand underneath a natural lightning rod such as a tall, isolated tree.
2. Avoid projecting above the surrounding landscape as you would do if you were standing on a hilltop, in an open field, on the beach or in a small boat.
3. Get out of and away from open water.
4. Get away from tractors and other metal farm equipment.
5. Get off and away from motorcycles, golf carts, and bicycles. Put down golf clubs and baseball bats.
6. Stay away from wire fences, clotheslines, metal pipes, rails, and other metallic paths which could carry lightning to you from some distance away.
7. Avoid standing in small isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.
8. In a forest, seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees. In open areas, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley.
9. If in a group of people, spread out, keeping several yards apart from each other.

If you feel your hair stand on end, you are in immediate danger of being struck - Unless you can instantly jump inside a shelter, drop to a crouching position bending forward and keeping your feet close together with your hands on your knees. The object is to be as low to the ground as possible and yet have as little of your body surface as possible touching the ground.

First Aid:

1. If a person is struck by lightning, check to see if that person is breathing. If not, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Administer one breath every five seconds to adults and every three seconds to small children.
2. If the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary. This is a combination of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and external cardiac compression. It should be administered by a person with proper training.
3. Lightning often has a paralyzing effect that is temporary. Even though a person appears dead, they may be resuscitated. Victims may experience temporary paralysis of legs, be stunned, be disoriented or have burns on their body. Give first aid for shock and stay with the victim until help arrives.

After the storm:

1. Instruct people not to touch loose electrical wires or broken utility lines.
2. Do not touch electrical equipment in wet areas until it has been dried and tested.

4. FLOODING

Flash floods are the most dangerous. A flash flood is a rapid rise of flood waters, allowing little time for action. Flash floods can move at tremendous speeds, tearing out trees and moving boulders. The debris moves with the flood wave and sometimes destroys buildings and bridges in its path. Debris may cause a temporary dam and when broken, a wall of water moves downstream. Almost half of all flood deaths occur in automobiles. Water depths can be very deceptive, the road beneath may even be undermined. The force of flowing water on a vehicle is very powerful and a foot of water may be all it takes to drag a car into deeper water or flip it over. Many cars stall once entering the water. Electrical systems in the car may fail causing electrical windows and doors to not operate, trapping the victim inside as water continues to rise.

When a flood warning is issued or the moment you first realize that a flash flood is coming, act quickly to save yourself. You may only have seconds.

Get out of areas subject to flooding:

1. Stay away from streams, creeks, and low areas.
2. In urban areas, stay away from underpasses.

Do not attempt to cross flooded areas in a car or truck:

1. If the vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground.

After the storm (If a flood has struck your neighborhood):

1. Turn off gas at the main switch to your building.
2. If live electrical wires are down, turn off power at the main switch.
3. Instruct people not to touch loose electrical wires or broken utility lines.
4. Do not touch electrical equipment in wet areas until it has been dried and tested.
5. Do not touch fresh food that has come in contact with flood waters.
6. Boil drinking water before using until water has been tested for purity.
7. Food, clothing, shelter, and first aid will be available at Red Cross shelters.

5. WINTER STORMS

The most severe winter storm is generally considered to be a blizzard (strong winds and blinding snow), but any heavy snow or ice storm can become life threatening. Most winter storm related deaths (about 70%) occur in motor vehicles. Some occur from exposure to cold (see extreme cold section), heart attacks from overexertion, fires from improper use of heaters, and other types of accidents.

Be prepared for the storm before it strikes!!!

At home, work, and school have available:

1. Flashlight and extra batteries
2. Battery powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio
3. Extra food and water
4. First Aid supplies and extra medicine
5. Emergency heating source (fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc.)
6. Matches and candles
7. A supply of baby items such as formula and diapers.

In cars and trucks have available:

1. A winter storm survival kit: blankets/sleeping bags; flashlight with extra batteries; first-aid kit; knife; high calorie, non-perishable food; extra clothing; a large empty can and plastic cover with tissues and paper towels for sanitary purposes; a smaller can and water; matches and candles to melt snow for drinking water; shovel; windshield scraper; tool kit; tow rope; booster cables; water container; compass; and road maps.
2. Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
3. Try not to travel alone.
4. Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes.

Maintain a weather watch:

1. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or television or cable television for the latest winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories.

When caught in a winter storm:

If outside:

1. Find shelter.
2. If no shelter is available, prepare a lean-to, windbreak or snow cave for protection.
3. Try to stay dry.
4. Cover all exposed parts of the body.
5. If possible, build a fire for heat and to attract attention.
6. Exercise from time to time by vigorously moving arms, legs, fingers, and toes to keep blood circulating and to keep warm.
7. Do not eat snow - melt it into water.

If in a car or truck:

1. Stay in your vehicle unless shelter can be seen just yards away - Disorientation occurs quickly in wind-driven snow and cold.
2. Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
3. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked.
4. Keep a window cracked to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
5. Make yourself visible to rescuers.
6. Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine.
7. Tie a colored cloth (preferably red) to your antenna or door.
8. Raise the hood indicating trouble after snow stops falling.
9. Exercise from time to time by vigorously moving arms, legs, fingers, and toes to keep blood circulating

At home or in a building:

1. Stay inside.
2. When using an alternative heat source, use fire safeguards and properly ventilate.

If no heat:

1. Close off unneeded rooms.
2. Stuff towels or rags into cracks under doors.
3. Cover windows at night.
4. Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.

6. EXTREME COLD

The people most often effected by the cold are elderly people and infants. However, if proper precautions are not taken, anyone can find themselves suffering from hypothermia or frostbite.

The wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the combined effects of wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature.

Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops. Warning signs are: uncontrollable shivering; loss of memory; disorientation; incoherence; slurred speech; drowsiness; and apparent exhaustion. If a person's body temperature drops below 95 F, seek medical help immediately.

If unable to get medical help:

1. Warm the person slowly.
2. Warm the body core first. Do not warm extremities first as this drives the cold blood toward the heart and can lead to heart failure
3. Get the person into dry clothing and wrapped in a warm blanket, covering the head and neck.
4. Do not give the person alcohol, drugs, coffee, or any hot beverage or food. Warm soup is best.

Frostbite is when the body tissue freezes, damaging the tissue. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as cheeks, fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately!!! If you must wait for help, slowly warm affected areas.

For additional information on hypothermia and frostbite, click here.

To prevent hypothermia and frost bite:

1. Stay inside during extreme cold spells or heavy snow storms.
2. If you must go out, dress appropriately. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing in several layers.
3. Avoid overexertion - the strain from the cold and hard labor may lead to a heart attack and sweating can lead to a chill and hypothermia.

Other clothing tips:

1. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded.
2. Wear a hat - over half of your body heat loss can be from your head.
3. Cover your mouth (using a scarf, etc.) to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
4. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves for protecting the hands.

7. EXTREME HEAT

Heat kills by taxing the human body beyond its abilities. In the disastrous heat wave of 1980, more than 1,250 people died. On hot days (temperature above 90 F), when the relative humidity is high, evaporation is retarded. The body attempts to do everything it can to maintain a constant 98.6 F.

Heat disorders generally have to do with either a reduction or collapse in the body's ability to shed heat by circulatory changes and sweating, or a chemical (salt) imbalance caused by too much sweating. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the temperature of the body's inner core begins to rise and heat-related illness may develop.

Other factors:

1. Cities can add to the hazard. Stagnant air conditions trap pollutants in urban areas and add the stress of severe pollution to the already dangerous stresses of hot weather.
2. Sunburn can significantly retard the skin's ability to shed excess heat. People on certain medications or drugs (such as tranquilizers and anticholinergics) and people overweight or with an alcohol problem are particularly susceptible.

Actions to prevent heat disorders:

1. Drink plenty of water
2. Slow down - reduce, reschedule, or eliminate strenuous activity.
3. Dress for the heat - Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
4. Do not get too much sun.

The Heat Index combines the effects of high temperature and relative humidity. Exposure to full sun can increase these values by up to 15 F. When the NWS is expecting the heat index to reach the 105 F to 119 F range, a Heat Advisory will be headlined in the forecast. When the heat index is expected to equal or exceed 120 F, an Excessive Heat Warning will be issued. Possible problems begin to occur when the Heat Index goes above 105 F. Some heat disorders include heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Heatstroke is possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.

First Aid:

1) Heat Cramps are painful spasms of the muscles, usually in the legs or abdomen.

Actions:

1. Use firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm.
2. Give sips of water unless nausea occurs.

2) Heat Exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating; weakness; cold, pale, and clammy skin, and/or thready pulse. Fainting or vomiting may occur.

Actions:

1. Get the victim out of the sun immediately!!!
2. Lay them down and loosen clothing.
3. Apply cool wet cloths.
4. Give sips of water unless nausea occurs.
5. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.

3) Heat Stroke (sunstroke) is when the body temperature reaches 106 F. Symptoms are hot, dry skin and a rapid and strong pulse. The victim may become unconscious.

Actions:

1. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency; summon medical help immediately or take to a hospital.
2. While awaiting medical help, move the victim to a cooler environment.
3. Reduce the body temperature with a cold bath or sponging.
4. Do not give fluids.

For additional weather safety information click here.