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PROCEDURES FOR NATURAL DISASTERS
LESSON 18--NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALERTS: CODE TOPAZ: Any NWS Alert. CODE BRONZE: Any NWS Alert or natural disaster requiring EVACUATION. Be aware of current and future weather systems. Call 511 for travel and weather information or you can go on line.
DEFINITIONS: TORNADO WATCH-Elements are right for forming tornados. TORNADO WARNING-a tornado is formed or will form. Try to have the best local TV channel that has current radar and have a weather radio.
FREEZING RAIN AND FREEZING DRIZZLE-indicates rain that freezes as it strikes the ground and other surfaces forming a coating of ice.
SLEET-indicates small ice particles, usually mixed with rain. If enough sleet accumulates on the ground it will make travel hazardous.
SNOW-when used without a qualifying word such as occasional or intermittent, indicates a fall of snow is of a steady nature and will probably continue for several hours without let up.
SNOW FLURRIES-it may indicate periods of snow falling for short durations at intermittent periods. Accumulations are generally light.
HEAVY SNOW WARNING-indicates snowfalls 4" in 12 hours, 6" in 24 hours, lesser where storms are infrequent. For those of us in the Rocky Mountains or upper plains or Great lake effect snows, it is usually not a problem driving and being careful.
WINTER STORM WATCH-indicates severe winter weather conditions and may affect your area with freezing rain, sleet, heavy snow separately or combinations especially when every half mile has different road conditions.
WINTER STORM WARNING—indicates that severe winter weather conditions are Imminent and proper care must be taken.
DRIVING WINTER ROADS: Just remember that it can take four to eight times longer to stop on snow or ice than a dry road. Slow down!! Reduce your speed by half from a dry road speed as in 30 to 15 mph; 40 to 20 mph and 60 to 30 mph. Leave plenty of space to brake, leave two car lengths for each 10 mph driving. If you have newer vehicles just apply constant pressure and your anti-lock brakes will stop you if you left enough space. You can use second gear to start slowing down from 30 to 15 mph or to get a start on slippery conditions. Most of all just have common sense and leave lots of space and lots of extra time, triple that commute time and have boredom busters to do if you arrive early. It is better to arrive early than to be in a body bag. Also check www.safetravelusa.com .
HIGH WIND WATCH-indicates sustained winds of at least 40 MPH, or gusts of at least 50 MPH are expected to last for at least one hour.
BLIZZARD WARNINGS-are issued when sustained wind speeds of at least 35 MPH are accompanied by considerable falling and/or blowing snow. Visibility is dangerously restricted. Know where shelters are. Have a full tank of gasoline, make sure to have your winter survival kit in your vehicle kit or backpack kit and that someone else knows your travel plans.
TRAVELER’S ADVISORIES-any of the above can make driving difficult. Please call 511 and usually it will have surrounding states/provinces or use the internet for the state DOT website. Be aware of storms by using TV, radio, internet to get weather reports and travel conditions.
(Above borrowed from Phone Directories: U.S. West: 1986©, 1994©)
WIND CHILL-is the effect of wind, in combination with actual temperature which increases the rate of heat loss to the human body.
NEW WIND CHILL (COLD INDEX) TABLE AND HEAT INDEX TABLES (2010).
As borrowed from the National Weather Service.
Wind Chill Temperature—what the air feels like outside on your skin.
Air temperature (F) (Partial List) * right of asterisks—frostbite in 30 minutes
Will have to change to Celcius.
Calm 40 30 20 10 0 -10 -20 -30 -40
5mph 36 35 13 1 -11 -22* -34 -46 -57
10mph 34 21 9 -4 -16* -28 -41 -53 -66
15mph 32 19 6 -7 -19* -32 -45 -58 -71
20mph 30 17 4 -9 -22* -35 -48 -61 -74
25mph 29 16 3 -11 -24* -37 -51 -64 -78
30mph 28 15 1 -12* -26 -39 -53 -67 -80
35mph 28 14 0 -14* -27 -41 -55 -69 -82
40mph 27 13 -1 -15* -29 -43 -57 -71 -84
45mph 26 12 -2 -16* -30 -44 -58 -72 -86
HEAT INDEX--As the heat feels to your body in the shade.
Relative *Extreme Caution; **Danger; ***Extreme Danger (heat stroke)
Humidity% Apparent Temperature (F) (partial list)
80 84 88 92 96 100 102 104 106 108
40 80 83 88 94* 101** 108*** 113*** 118*** 124*** 130***
50 81 85 91* 99* 108*** 118*** 124*** 131***
60 82 88 95* 105** 116*** 129*** 137***
70 83 90 100* 111** 132***
80 84 94* 106** 121**
90 86 98* 113** 131***
100 87 103* 121**
LESSON 19--WINTER STORMS: Severe winter storms with high winds and drifting snow often occur with little warning. Follow these tips: Keep posted on weather and road conditions twice a day. Prepare for isolation at home or work, have a home blizzard kit with extra food stocks. Use lights for heat if the furnace goes out. Don't use gas stoves for heating. Prevent fire hazards due to overheated wood-or oil-burning stoves, fireplaces or electric heaters. Fill all liquid fuel heating devices outside of buildings. Otherwise, you should stay indoors. Over exertions such as snow shoveling is a major cause of winter storm deaths. Dress in several warm layers and even if in inside a building wear layers or use a blanket to keep warm. If you are just a passenger, take a backpack with a flashlight, hygiene kit, a pillow, a change of clothes with extra socks (keep those feet dry and warm), medicines, water, non-salty, high protein, high calorie food with extra cash (ATMs may be off line), boredom items and other comfort items as well as a blanket.
Travel only if necessary and then do only in daylight on major roads. Don't travel alone-convoy with others. Let someone know your schedule, routes, and destination. Use your CBs and reprogram scanners to get snow plows, S&R, Highway Patrol, HAMs, etc.-use Area or State annexes. Have a full trunk kit with food, water and a full tank.
If you are caught in a vehicle, then don't leave the vehicle unless help is in sight. Ensure proper ventilation while running the engine by shoveling out by the tailpipe and radiator. Signal trouble by raising the hood, tying a bright cloth on the antenna, turning on flashers or using a signal light. Don't burn anything in the vehicle. Use blankets to cover yourself. Crack open the window once an hour or when the engine is running. Also have kitty litter for weight and traction in your trunk and re-check all Lesson One lists. Also please help out your local Fire Department and shovel out some of the nearest fire hydrant and other utility boxes. They are marked with colored poles and flags and that is a nice way to “Pay It Forward” (See “Challenging Life’s ‘Ins and Outs’”).
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