In these last few days, most of the country has been experiencing severe weather. Most of us are dealing with snow and frigid temperatures this time of year. As I hope you were all prepared, it crossed my mind that there may be people out who may not know what to do in the case of a severe weather event. This article will detail safety precautions and preparations for different types of extreme weather.
A few things will be repeated throughout the article to stress the importance of the information. These things include paying attention to alerts and warnings, knowing your location and what severe weather threats the area is prone to, keeping essential documents in a secure container, and having a plan for yourself, your family, and your pets.
Severe weather can be very unpredictable, even with modern technological meteorological advances. That is why it is so important to remain prepared. Winter storms can cause power outages, frozen pipes, hypothermia, and house fires from portable heaters. Due to winter storms, people are stranded in their homes, businesses, or vehicles yearly. The following are safety precautions to take:
Seal any doors or windows that let the cool air in
Make sure your attic is adequately insulated
Cover outdoor faucets
Drip indoor faucets or install pipe insulation
Be careful with portable heaters — they are the leading cause of house fires during winter storms
Have a winter weather car kit in your vehicle with the following items:
Extra chargers for cell phones and devices
Snack food and water
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Basic tool kit
Jumper cables
Emergency flares
Warm clothes and blankets
Ice scraper
Thunderstorms and lightning can cause winds over 50 miles per hour to rip through houses, ignite fires with lightning strikes, create power outages, create hail damaging property, and cause flash flooding, which can drift a car or cause drownings. The following are safety precautions to take:
Go inside as soon as you hear thunder
Secure outdoor furniture
Pay attention to alerts and warnings
Unplug appliances to prevent lightning strikes or power surges from killing your devices.
Stay away from water or landline phones — they conduct electricity.
Flash flooding can result in significant damage to residential and commercial properties, as well as lead to tragic loss of life. People often fail to realize that the water level is increasing until it reaches a critical point. Like many other types of severe weather, it is better to be proactive than reactive regarding flash flooding. The following are safety precautions to take:
Know where you live — look up your address at the Flood Map Service Center https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search
Stay off the roads
Keep essential documents in waterproof storage
Waterproof basement
Have sandbags stored for possible incoming water
Tornadoes are one of the most unpredictable and destructive forms of severe weather. Those like me who have grown up in Tornado Alley know something about this. Tornadoes cause hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in damages. An average of 70+ people are killed from tornado-related deaths each year. I cannot stress enough the importance of being prepared when a tornado is in your area. The following are safety precautions to take:
Create a safety plan with a designated safe place (particularly an interior room in your home) for you and your family to wait out the storm and practice it.
Create a communication plan in case the family may be separated during a storm and practice it.
Stay inside
Stay away from windows and doors
Pay attention to alerts and warnings
Extreme heat and drought are forms of severe weather that often have adverse effects on people and the environment. During extremely high temperatures, there is a higher risk of heat stroke, sunburn poisoning, and dehydration. During dry seasons, the lack of rainwater can cause droughts, leading to wildfires that can spread to residences. The following are safety precautions to take.
Extreme Heat:
Stay hydrated — do this just for the health benefits.
Have a Go Bag prepared in case you have to leave your home with
Three days of supplies
Backup batteries and chargers for devices
Personal documents
Have a Stay at Home Kit
Two weeks of supplies
One month’s supply of medication and medical supplies or equipment
Have a planned route to cool places (public library, shopping mall, or public cooling center
Wear lightweight, loose-fitted clothing
Drought:
Don’t light fires (trash, fire pits, campfires, grill, etc)
Have a plan for evacuation
Keep essential documents in a fireproof safe
Make sure your windows and doors are sealed to prevent outside air from coming in
Store an N95 mask to protect yourself from smoke inhalation
Keep your cell phone charged and have a backup charger
Supplies in case of evacuation
First aid kit
Go bag
*Avoid flammable or combustible household products
Housefires:
Have an escape plan for yourself and your family, and practice it at least twice a year.
Have a Go Bag
Have a fire-resistant safe for your essential documents
Create a fire-resistant zone that is free of leaves, debris, or flammable materials at least 30 feet from your home as your safe zone
Make sure smoke alarms are installed on each level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas and test every month, change batteries as necessary
Emergency Supply List: These items are for your consideration. Create your list based on your and your family’s needs and the severe weather in your area.
tool kit
blankets/sleeping bags
portable battery-powered radio
portable battery-powered flashlight
food (nonperishables)
water
first aid kit
fire extinguishers
extra batteries
can opener
pails with covers
whistle (signal for help)
dust mask
plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
moist toilettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation
soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes
prescription medications
nonprescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream
pet food and extra water for pets
cash
essential documents: copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
complete change of clothing (at least three days) for each family member
fire extinguisher
matches in a waterproof container
feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
paper cups, plates, paper towels, and plastic utensils
*Create a Go Bag for your home, work, or vehicle. Keep Go Bag in a cool, dry place, keep boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers, replace expired items as needed, re-think your needs every six months, and update your kit as your family’s needs change.
Resources
Shelters in Madison County: 256-427-5130
Asbury Church Harvest - 8089 Wall Triana Highway, Harvest, Alabama 35748 (Pets allowed if crated)
Bobo Volunteer Fire Department - 7982 Old Railroadbed Rd., Ardmore, AL 35739
Gurley Rec Center - 311 3rd Street, Gurley, Alabama 35748
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church - 1418 Old Railroad Bed Rd, Madison AL 35757
Harvest Youth Club - 230 Lockhart Road, Harvest, AL 35749
Killingsworth Cove VFD - 876 Killingsworth Cove Road, Gurley, Alabama 35748
Maysville Community Shelter - 1076 Brownsboro Road, Gurley, Alabama 35748
Meridianville Volunteer Fire Department - 464 Patterson Ln. Meridianville, AL 35759
Moores Mill VFD - 7416 Moore Mill Road, Huntsville, AL 35811 (Pets allowed if crated)
New Hope - 5507 Main Drive, New Hope, AL 35760
Owens Cross Roads Town Hall - 9032 U.S. 431, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763
Triana Community Shelter - 280 Zeirdt Road, Madison, Alabama 35758
Links:
Full list of Shelters in North Alabama at https://www.waff.com/2021/03/16/storm-shelter-list-north-alabama/
Ready Kids
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/teaching-kids-about-emergency-preparedness.html — Resources at the bottom of page
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies.html
https://redwoodsgroup.com/resources/emergency-action-plan-severe-weather-2/