The Importance of Receiving Weather Alerts
When severe weather strikes, having a reliable way to receive weather alerts can be the difference between life and death. Many dangerous weather events, like tornadoes, flash floods, and severe thunderstorms, develop rapidly, leaving little time to act. That’s why it’s essential to have at least two methods of receiving weather alerts—one of which should be independent of internet or cell service.
Why Two Methods?
Technology can fail. Cell towers can go down, apps can glitch, and power outages can leave you without access to TV or online updates. Having a backup ensures you’re never left unaware of imminent danger. A combination of methods increases your chances of staying informed, even during the worst conditions. In addition to a weather radio, you should use a second method to receive alerts, such as:
• Mobile Weather Apps: Many apps send push notifications for severe weather in your area. Ensure your phone is charged and notifications are enabled.
• Local TV or Radio Stations: These provide continuous coverage during severe weather events, offering vital details on what to expect.
Take Action Now
Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to think about how you’ll receive alerts. Invest in a Midland WR-120 weather radio today and set it up for your location. Combine it with a reliable secondary method, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re prepared to act quickly when severe weather threatens. Remember, just one alert could save your life or the lives of those you care about.
A Trusted Option: Midland WR-120 Weather Radio (not a sponsor)
One of the best tools for receiving weather alerts is the Midland WR-120 NOAA Weather Radio, a reliable and affordable option costing around $30. This radio is specifically designed to keep you informed, even when other systems fail. Here’s why it’s an essential tool:
• Custom Alerts for Your Area: The WR-120 allows you to program alerts for your specific county or region using Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology. This means you won’t be bothered by alerts for areas that don’t apply to you.
• Operates During Power Outages: Equipped with battery backup, the radio works even when the power is out, ensuring you stay connected in emergencies.
• Audible Warnings: It emits a loud alarm to wake or grab your attention, even while you’re sleeping.
• Real-Time Updates: The radio broadcasts alerts directly from NOAA, ensuring you get information as soon as it’s issued.
TORNADOES
Tornado Watch
• What it Means: Conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes.
• What to Do: Stay alert, monitor the weather, and be ready to take shelter if a warning is issued. Review your emergency plan and ensure you have access to a safe location.
Tornado Warning
• What it Means: A tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar.
• What to Do: Take immediate action. Move to a safe location, such as a basement or interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. Protect yourself from flying debris by covering your head and neck.
Tornadoes are violent rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground. They can cause widespread destruction and pose a significant risk to life.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
• What it Means: Conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms.
• What to Do: Monitor local weather reports and be prepared for worsening conditions. Secure loose outdoor items and ensure you have access to shelter if needed.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
• What it Means: A severe thunderstorm is occurring or imminent in your area.
• What to Do: Seek shelter indoors immediately. Avoid windows and stay away from electrical appliances. Be alert for possible tornadoes, as they can form quickly during severe thunderstorms.
A severe thunderstorm is one that produces any of the following:
• Winds of 58 mph (93 km/h) or greater
• Hail 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter or larger
• Tornadoes (sometimes embedded within the storm)
FLASH FLOODING
Flash Flood Watch
• What it Means: Conditions are favorable for flash flooding.
• What to Do: Stay informed and be ready to move to higher ground if necessary. Avoid driving through areas prone to flooding.
Flash Flood Warning
• What it Means: Flash flooding is occurring or will occur soon.
• What to Do: Move to higher ground immediately. Never walk or drive through floodwaters, as just 6 inches of moving water can knock over an adult, and 12 inches can sweep away a car.
Flash floods occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems, causing rapid water accumulation in low-lying areas. They can happen with little notice and are extremely dangerous.
LIGHTNING
Lightning is one of nature’s most powerful and unpredictable phenomena. Each year, it causes injuries, fatalities, and property damage. Understanding lightning and knowing how to stay safe can protect you during thunderstorms.
All About Lightning
1. Powerful Force:
• A single bolt of lightning can heat the air around it to 30,000 Kelvin (53,540°F), which is five times hotter than the surface of the sun.
• Lightning can carry up to 1 billion volts of electricity.
2. Common Occurrence:
• Around 8 million lightning strikes occur globally every day.
• In the U.S., lightning kills about 20 people per year on average, with hundreds more injured.
3. Distance and Speed:
• Lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from a thunderstorm, even under clear skies. This is often called a “bolt from the blue.”
• The sound of thunder travels roughly 1 mile in 5 seconds, so you can estimate the distance of lightning by counting seconds between the flash and thunder.
4. Types of Lightning:
• Cloud-to-Ground Lightning: The most dangerous to humans and structures.
• Intra-Cloud Lightning: Stays within the cloud, lighting up the sky.
• Cloud-to-Air or Cloud-to-Cloud Lightning: Strikes between clouds or into the air.
During a Thunderstorm
1. Follow the 30-30 Rule:
• If you see lightning and hear thunder within 30 seconds, the storm is close enough to pose a danger. Seek shelter immediately.
• Stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.
2. Seek Shelter:
• The safest place during a thunderstorm is inside a sturdy building or a car with a metal roof (not a convertible). Avoid open fields, isolated trees, or water.
• If no shelter is available, crouch low with your feet together. Avoid lying flat on the ground, as this increases your exposure to ground current.
3. Avoid Conductors:
• Stay away from anything that conducts electricity, including metal objects, wired electronics, and plumbing.
• Do not use corded phones, and avoid touching electrical appliances or outlets.
4. Stay Away from Windows:
• Lightning can shatter glass. Keep a safe distance from windows and doors.
If You’re Outdoors
1. Avoid Tall or Isolated Objects:
• Trees, poles, and other tall structures are often lightning targets. Avoid standing under or near them.
• On water or in boats, head to shore immediately.
2. Open Fields:
• If caught in an open area, crouch down on the balls of your feet with your hands over your ears and head tucked. Minimize contact with the ground.
If Someone is Struck by Lightning
• Call 911 Immediately: Victims need urgent medical attention.
• Perform CPR if Necessary: A lightning strike can stop a victim’s heart. Begin CPR if they’re unresponsive and not breathing.
• No Risk to You: Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch.
Key Takeaway
When thunder roars, go indoors. Lightning is unpredictable and deadly, but by following safety precautions, you can greatly reduce your risk of harm. Always respect the power of storms and prioritize your safety.
WINTER WEATHER
Winter Storm Safety: What You Need to Know
Winter storms can bring a variety of dangerous conditions, including heavy snow, ice, strong winds, and extreme cold. Understanding the different types of winter weather alerts and how to prepare can help keep you safe.
Winter Storm Watch
• What it Means: Conditions are favorable for a significant winter storm, including heavy snow, sleet, or ice, within the next 48 hours.
• What to Do: Monitor weather updates frequently.
• Prepare your home and vehicle for possible impacts (e.g., stock up on supplies, ensure your car has a winter emergency kit).
• Avoid non-essential travel.
Winter Storm Warning
• What it Means: A significant winter storm is imminent or occurring, bringing hazardous conditions like heavy snow, sleet, or freezing rain. Different National Weather Service Offices have specific criteria for a winter storm that may be different in your area than another.
• What to Do:
• Stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
• If you must go out, dress in warm layers and keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.
• Be prepared for power outages and limited visibility.
Blizzard Warning
• What it Means: Sustained winds of 35 mph (56 km/h) or higher, combined with heavy snow or blowing snow, reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile for at least three hours.
• What to Do:
• Stay indoors and avoid all travel unless absolutely necessary.
• Ensure you have enough food, water, and emergency supplies to last several days.
• Protect exposed pipes from freezing and keep a backup heat source, if possible.
Ice Storm Warning
• What it Means: Significant ice accumulation (typically 1/4 inch or more) is expected, creating dangerous travel conditions and the potential for power outages.
• What to Do:
• Stay off roads, as even a thin layer of ice can make travel treacherous.
• Be prepared for prolonged power outages; keep flashlights, batteries, and alternative heating options ready.
• Avoid walking outside, as icy surfaces can lead to falls and injuries.
Extreme Cold Safety
Extreme cold can accompany winter storms or occur independently, posing risks like frostbite, hypothermia, and damage to infrastructure.
What to Do in Extreme Cold:
1. Dress Warmly:
• Wear multiple layers, including a hat, gloves, scarf, and waterproof boots.
• Cover exposed skin to prevent frostbite, especially in sub-zero wind chills.
2. Stay Indoors:
• Limit time outside, especially for young children, the elderly, and pets.
• Keep your home heated to at least 68°F (20°C), and use space heaters safely.
3. Protect Pipes:
• Let faucets drip to prevent freezing.
• Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.
4. Prepare for Power Outages:
• Have blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothing ready.
• Never use a generator or grill indoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
5. Travel Precautions:
• Avoid travel if possible. If you must drive, carry a winter emergency kit that includes blankets, food, water, and a flashlight.
• Stay with your vehicle if you become stranded and run the engine periodically for heat (make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow).
TROPICAL STORMS
Understanding Hurricanes and Tropical Storms: What You Need to Know
Hurricanes and tropical storms are among the most powerful and destructive forces of nature, capable of reshaping entire landscapes and impacting millions of lives. These storms, also known as tropical cyclones, are massive systems of rotating thunderstorms fueled by warm ocean waters. Hurricanes are classified by their sustained wind speeds, with winds of 74 mph or more qualifying as a hurricane and those between 39-73 mph classified as tropical storms. These storms bring a combination of hazards, including high winds, torrential rain, and storm surge, making them extremely dangerous.
What Makes Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Dangerous?
Storm Surge
Storm surge is one of the deadliest components of hurricanes and tropical storms. This phenomenon occurs when strong winds push seawater onto land, causing sudden and severe flooding. Storm surge can raise water levels by 10 to 20 feet or more in coastal areas, washing away buildings, roads, and anything in its path. In fact, storm surge accounts for nearly half of all hurricane-related deaths.
Key Fact: Even a Category 1 hurricane with relatively low wind speeds can produce a catastrophic storm surge depending on the coastline’s shape and slope.
Heavy Rainfall and Flooding
Tropical storms and hurricanes often dump several inches to feet of rain, leading to inland flooding far from the coast. This makes them dangerous not only for those in coastal areas but also for communities hundreds of miles away from landfall.
High Winds
Hurricane-force winds can destroy buildings, uproot trees, and turn everyday objects into deadly projectiles. Tropical storm-force winds, while not as strong, can still cause widespread damage, especially to power lines and weak structures.
How to Prepare for a Hurricane or Tropical Storm
1. Have a Plan:
• Know your evacuation routes and shelter locations.
• Identify a safe room in your home, such as an interior room with no windows.
2. Stock Emergency Supplies:
• Include essentials like water (1 gallon per person per day for at least three days), non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, and medications.
• Don’t forget supplies for pets and important documents like IDs and insurance policies.
3. Prepare Your Home:
• Secure outdoor items
to prevent them from becoming projectiles in high winds.
• Install storm shutters or board up windows with plywood.
• Trim trees and shrubs to minimize damage from falling branches.
• If in a flood-prone area, consider sandbags to protect your property.
4. Stay Informed:
• Monitor weather updates from reliable sources like the National Hurricane Center.
• Sign up for local emergency alerts and understand the difference between watches and warnings (explained below).
5. Evacuate When Advised:
• If local authorities issue an evacuation order, leave immediately. Delay can put your life and rescue workers’ lives at risk.
• Have a “go bag” packed with essential items and a predetermined place to go.
Breaking Down Hurricane and Tropical Storm Alerts
Tropical Storm Watch
• What it Means: Tropical storm conditions (winds of 39-73 mph) are possible in your area within 48 hours.
• What to Do: Stay informed and prepare to take protective actions.
Tropical Storm Warning
• What it Means: Tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.
• What to Do: Secure loose objects, finish preparations, and stay indoors during the storm.
Hurricane Watch
• What it Means: Hurricane conditions (winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible in your area within 48 hours.
• What to Do: Begin implementing your hurricane preparedness plan. Monitor updates closely and prepare to evacuate if necessary.
Hurricane Warning
• What it Means: Hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours.
• What to Do: Complete all preparations immediately. Evacuate if ordered, and seek shelter in a safe location if staying put.
Extreme Wind Warning
• What it Means: Sustained winds of 115 mph or higher are expected within an hour, usually during the eyewall of a hurricane.
• What to Do: Take shelter in a sturdy, reinforced building, staying in an interior room or closet on the lowest floor. Treat this as you would a tornado warning.
Storm Surge Warning
• What it Means: Life-threatening inundation of water from rising sea levels is expected within 36 hours in coastal areas.
• What to Do: Evacuate immediately if directed to do so. Even strong swimmers are no match for storm surge, which can wash away vehicles and structures.
Hurricanes and tropical storms demand our respect and vigilance. While modern technology allows us to predict and track these storms, their unpredictability and destructive power mean that preparation is essential. By understanding the risks, heeding warnings, and having a solid plan in place, you can protect yourself, your family, and your property from these natural disasters. Remember: it’s always better to over-prepare than to underestimate the power of the storm.