Storm Central

Lightning

Lightning strikes kill more Americans than tornadoes or hurricanes. Don’t take chances with this deadly force of nature.

Lightning safety rules:

• Move to low ground.
• Avoid open fields.
• Do not seek shelter under a tree. Trees are easy targets for lightning.
• At the beach or a swimming pool, get out of the water immediately.
• Go inside a building, and stay away from windows and doors.
• Stay away from metal objects.
• Avoid electric appliances and metal plumbing.
• Get off the phone.
• Do not touch metal objects, such as golf clubs or bicycles.
• Inside a car is relatively safe, but don’t touch interior metal.
• If you hair stands on end, you may be a target. Crouch low on the balls of your feet and try not to touch the ground with your knees or hands.

Flooding

Flooding is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in Texas. The simple decisions you make can mean the difference between life and death. Take the high road when it comes to flood safety. Your life depends on it.

Flood safety rules:

• Never drive through water on a road. It can be deeper than it appears. Floodwaters can damage roadways, creating invisible sink holes or washed out bridges.
• Quickly leave your car if it stalls in water. It takes only 2 feet of water to push a 3,000 pound car downstream.
• Don’t attempt to walk through rapidly running water. As little as 6 inches can knock adults off their feet.
• Keep an emergency kit in your car, including a flashlight with extra batteries, drinking water and a battery-operated radio.
• If you have a cell phone, program the number for the police or fire department rescue.

Tornadoes

More tornadoes strike Texas than any other state. Sophisticated warning systems exist, but they’re no substitute for preparedness and smart action.

Tornado safety rules:

• At home or in the office, go to the lowest floor. Stay away from windows.
• Go to a place in the center of the building, such as a closet, bathroom or interior hallway. Protect your head with a pillow.
• If you live in a mobile home, go outside. Lie down in a ditch or low spot. Cover your head with your arms.
• If you’re in a car, get out. Never try to outrun a tornado. Take shelter in the nearest building, or lie face down in a ditch with your arms over your head.
• Know the difference between a “warning” and a “watch.”
  Tornado Watch: Conditions are right for a tornado; watch the sky.
  Tornado Warning: A tornado has been spotted; take cover immediately.

Ice Storms

Although much of the state is unaccustomed to snow and ice, here in Northeast Texas temperatures do sometimes fall below freezing. Wet snow and ice snap tree branches and cause electric lines to sag.

Safety rules for a winter power outage:

• Report any outages.
• Turn off electrical appliances that were operating at the time the power went off, including your heating system. Leave one light on so you’ll know when the service has been restored.
• Keep warm by closing off rooms you don’t need and use only safe sources of heat, like a wood stove. Do not burn charcoal indoors – it releases carbon monoxide, which is deadly. If you operate lanterns or fuel-fired cook stoves or heaters, make sure that you have adequate ventilation to keep harmful fumes from accumulating.
• Don’t drive unless absolutely necessary until road conditions improve. If you must drive, go slowly and pump your brakes to stop.
• Be careful not to slip on treacherous ice.

Downed Lines

Weather and car accidents are the main causes of downed power lines. Always stay away and warn other to stay clear of power lines. Even if they don’t hum, spark or “dance,” downed lines can be dangerous – they can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or even death.

Safety rules for downed lines:

• If you see a downed power line, move away from the line and anything touching it.
• The proper way to move away from the line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times to minimize the chance for a human path of electric current.
• If someone is in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, do not touch the person. Call 911 instead.
• Don’t try to move a downed power line or anything in contact with the line by using another object such as a broom or stick.
• Don’t drive over downed power lines.
• If you are in your car and it is in contact with a downed line, stay in your car. Honk your horn for help but tell others to stay away from your vehicle. Call 911 if you have a cell phone or ask a passerby to do it.

NOAA Radio

The NOAA weather radio network is expanding in coverage and capability, making it an invaluable tool. For as little as $20, anyone can have access to potentially life-saving emergency messages whenever and wherever they need it.

Battery-operated NOAA radios can be invaluable.

• NOAA provides continuous broadcasts of the latest weather information directly from the National Weather Service. When severe weather threatens your area, the broadcast activates an alarm and turns on the radio so you can hear critical, potentially life-saving messages.
• NOAA weather radios can take advantage of an even greater tool: the “all hazards” radio network. These broadcasts provide warning and post-event information for a host of other threats including natural and technological hazards.
• NOAA weather radios can also receive broadcasted AMBER alerts for missing children.

Emergency Kit

If you put together an emergency supply kit now, you and your family will be ready for almost anything.

Here’s what you should include in your kit:

• First-aid kit
• Cash (banks and ATMs may be unavailable in a power outage)
• Battery-operated radio
• Flashlight (and extra batteries)
• Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence
• Three-day supply of nonperishable food
• Three gallons of bottled water per person
• Coolers for food and ice storage
• Fire extinguisher
• Blankets, sleeping bags and extra clothing
• Prescription medications, written copies of prescriptions, hearing aids and other special medical items
• Eyeglasses and sunglasses
• Extra keys
• Toilet paper and clean–up supplies
• Duct tape, tarp, rope
• Can opener, knife, tools
• Booster cables, road maps