Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wyoming
by National Weather Service
April 20, 2016
Today (Tuesday, April 19) we will discuss making an emergency plan for natural disasters and All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio.
First step: Ready
Before severe weather season, develop an emergency plan and practice it regularly.
Here are a few questions to ask when developing your plan.
- What is your risk for a natural disaster? Do you live in a flood prone area? Knowing your risk can help you develop a plan tailored to your family.
- Where do you go in case of a natural disaster? Is it a basement - such as during a tornado or to higher ground during a flash flood?
- Do you have a designated meeting place for your family if you get separated? During a natural disaster phone service might be disrupted and getting in contact with loved ones might be difficult.
- What would you do if basic services such as water, gas, electricity or telephones were cut off? Having an emergency supply kit in your home and car is essential, and it is recommended you keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least 3 days. After a natural disaster it could take awhile for emergency responders to reach your location.
- How will you be notified of a natural disaster? What about at night?
FEMA, the Red Cross, your local emergency management, and the National Weather Service can help you develop your plan.
Here are a few websites with guidance in making your emergency plan:
FEMA: www.ready.gov
NWS: www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/resources/ttl6-10.pdf
Red Cross: www.redcross.org
Second step: Set
When severe weather is possible later in the day or a few days out.
Make sure your emergency plan and supply kit are up-to-date.
Keep abreast of the latest weather conditions and keep an eye to the sky especially if a watch is issued for your area.
Third Step: Go
When a warning is issued, activate your emergency plan immediately. One way to get prepared is to have an All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio receiver.
All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio
All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest national weather service office. There are 22 NOAA Weather Radio stations serving Wyoming, broadcasting official NWS warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During severe weather, such as during a tornado or flash flood event, the normal broadcast of NOAA Weather Radio will be interrupted by a tone alert, followed by critical life saving information. The tone will activate all NOAA Weather Radio receivers in the area which are equipped to receive the tone...even if the audio is turned off. Like a smoke detector, a NOAA Weather Radio can wake you in the middle of the night alerting you to a dangerous situation. Periodically check your NOAA Weather Radio to make sure it is in good working order. The NWS tests the NOAA Weather Radio warning alarm system every Wednesday between 11 am and 1 pm unless there is a threat of severe weather, then the test is postponed until the next available good weather day. On Wednesday, the NWS will be conducting a test tornado warning at 1030 am MDT.
NOAA Weather Radio is an all hazards system. This allows local, State and federal emergency management officials to request messages to be broadcast during emergency situations. These include child abduction emergencies, hazardous materials warnings, evacuation immediate orders, and other civil emergencies.
NOAA Weather Radio receivers can be purchased at many electronic and internet stores.
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