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.

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.

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.

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 mph on a narrow path. –See 14.6 on page 411.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Natural Disasters  Earthquake-a violent shaking of the earth’s 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.

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.