What Are Weather Emergencies?

1
What Are Weather Emergencies?

• Weather emergencies-dangerous situations brought
  on by changes in the atmosphere.
• Storms such as tornados, hurricanes, blizzards
  and thunder storms.
• National Weather Service-monitors the progress of
  storms and periodically issues bulletins about
  what is happening.
• Watch-issued when weather conditions make it
  likely it will storm.

2
What Are Weather Emergencies?

• Warning-is issues when an actual weather
  emergency is occurring and people are in
  immediate danger.
• Follow any instructions given by the NWS.

3
Tornadoes

• Tornado-a whirling, funnel-shaped windstorm that
  drops from the sky to the ground.
• Tornados normally occur during the spring and the
  summer.
• Of all the storms, tornadoes cause the most
  damage.
• If a tornado watch is issued for your area
• Use a battery-powered radio and listen for
  updates.
• Prepare to take shelter.
• Get supplies ready, food, water and clothes.

4
Tornadoes

• If a tornado warning is issued take shelter
  immediately.
• Where to go
• Cellar or basement.
• Windowless interior room.
• Ditch or flat on the ground
• Stay away from cars, trees, buildings.
• What to do
• Cover yourself with anything that can protect
  you.
• Tornadoes move at 25-40 mph on a narrow path.
• See 14.6 on page 411.

5
Hurricanes

• Hurricane-a strong windstorm with driving rain
  that originates at sea.
• Each hurricane has a center, called the eye.
• Weather is call in the eye, a circular cloud mass
  whirls around the eye giving the storm its
  fiercest strength.
• Most hurricanes occur in late summer and early
  fall.
• Board up windows.
• Evacuate if advised

6
Hurricanes

• If no evacuation is advised, stay inside.
• Be prepared for power loss.
• Prepare an emergency kit.
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Food
• Water
• Radio
• First aid kit
• blankets

7
Blizzards

• Blizzard-a very heavy snowstorm with winds of up
  to 45 mph.
• Stay inside during a blizzard.
• Have emergency kit ready.
• If outside,
• keep moving and find shelter ASAP.
• Watch for landmarks along your path.
• Keep head, nose, mouth, ears covered
• Hypothermia-sudden and dangerous drop in body
  temperature.

8
Thunderstorms

• Thunderstorms-heavy rain with thunder and
  lightning.
• Thunderstorms can be dangerous when it has
  lightning.
• Stay inside or seek shelter.
• Be prepared for power outage.
• Unplug electrical appliances.
• Avoid using phone or running water.
• If out side stay low and avoid electric poles,
  trees, water and metal which all attract
  lightning.

9
Natural Disasters

• Floods
• If the NWS issues a flood watch for your area
• Move valuables to higher ground.
• Listen to the radio for updates.
• If the NWS issues a flood warning for your area
• Evacuate your house.
• Flash floods can happen quickly and be violent.

10
Natural Disasters

• In any flooding situation
• Never walk, swim, ride a bike, or drive a car
  through the water. You may drown or be
  electrocuted.
• Drink only bottled water.
• Only return home when advised to.
• Once you return home throw away all food and
  disinfect everything.

11
Natural Disasters

• Earthquake-a violent shaking of the earths
  surface.
• Aftershocks-secondary earthquakes.
• Richter scale-records the amount of ground
  motion.
• Scale of 1 to 10.
• Most destructive quakes have a magnitude of 7 or
  more.

12
Natural Disasters

• Protecting yourself during an earthquake.
• Indoors
• Stay away from windows, mirrors, ect.
• Stay away from tall or heavy objects that can
  fall on you.
• Stand or crouch in a strongly supported doorway
  or brace yourself in an inside corner of the
  building.
• Cover your head.
• Get under a piece of furniture.