• Keep an eye on the sky.  Look for darkening skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind.  Listen for thunder.

• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning.  Go to safe shelter immediately.

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for the latest weather forecasts.

When a Storm Approaches...

• Find shelter in a building or car.  Keep car windows closed and avoid convertibles.

• Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity.  Unplug appliances.  Avoid using telephone or electrical appliances.

• Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.

• Turn off the air conditioner.  Power surges from lightning can overload the compressor, resulting in a costly repair job.

• Draw blinds and shades over windows.  If windows break due to objects blown by the wind, the shades will prevent glass  from shattering into your home.

If caught outside...

• If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.

• If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately!!

Protecting Yourself Outside...

• Go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles, or metal objects.

• Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.

Be a Very Small Target!

• Squat low to the ground.  Place your hands on your knees with your head between them.  Make yourself the smallest target possible.

• Do not lie flat on the ground; this will make you a larger target.

After the Storm Passes...

• Stay away from storm damaged areas.

• Listen to the radio for information and instructions.

If Someone is Struck by Lightning...

• People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely.

• Call for help.  Get someone to call 9-1-1.

• The injured person has received an electrical shock and may be burned, both were they were struck and where the electricity left their body.  Check for burns in both places.

• Give first aid.  If breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing.  If the heart has stopped, begin CPR.

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Floods/Flash Floods
Know what to expect...

• Know the flood risks are in your community, the flood stage of nearby rivers, and if your home is located above flood stage.

• If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.

• Listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information.

• A FLOOD can take several hours to days to develop...a FLASH FLOOD can take only a few minutes to develop.

• A flood/flash flood WATCH means a flood/flash flood is possible in your area.

• A flood/flash flood  WARNING means flooding/flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.

Prepare a Home Flood Plan...

• Check your homeowner's or renter's insurance to see if it covers flooding.  If not, GET flood insurance.

• Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.

• Assemble a Flood Safety Kit containing...First aid kit, canned food and can opener, bottled water, rubber boots and gloves, battery powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.

• Identify where you could go if told to evacuate.  Choose several places...a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.

When a flood WATCH is watch is issued...

• Move your furniture and valuable to higher floors of your home.

• Fill your car's gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.

When a flood WARNING is issued...

• Listen to local radio and TV for information and advice.  If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.

When a flash flood WATCH is issued...

• Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate of a moment's notice.

When a flash flood WARNING is issued...

• Or if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately.  You may have only seconds to escape, Act quickly.

• Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains.  Do not drive around barricades...they are there for your safety.

• If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.

Returning home...

• Do not return to your home until authorities announce that it is safe to do so.

• Do not eat fresh food that has come in contact with floodwaters.

• Boil drinking water before using it until authorities declare the water supply to be safe.

• Check for damaged utilities (downed power lines, broken gas or water mains).

• Beware of stray animals and snakes which may have entered homes with  high water.

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Tornados
Prepare a Home Tornado Plan...

• Pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado is headed your way.  It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor.  Keep this place uncluttered.

• If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor.  Pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.

• Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit containing...First aid kit with essential medications, battery powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, canned food and opener, bottled water, sturdy shoes and work gloves.

• Also include in the kit written instructions on how to turn off your home's utilities.

• Conduct periodic tornado drills, so everyone remembers what to do when a tornado is approaching.

Stay Tuned for Storm Warnings...

• Listen to your local radio, TV and NOAA Weather Radio for undated storm information.

• A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area.

• A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area.  Go to safety immediately!

• WATCHES and WARNINGS are issued by county.

When a Tornado WATCH is Issued...

• Listen to radio, NOAA, and TV for further updates.

• Be alert to changing weather conditions.  Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado may alert you. Many people say it sounds like a freight train.

When a Tornado WARNING is Issued...

• If you are inside, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects.  The tornado may be approaching your area.

• If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.

• If  you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety (as above).

After the Tornado Passes...

• Watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged area.

• Listen to the radio for information and instructions.

• Use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage.

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Disaster Supplies Kit
Water
Store one gallon of water per person per day.
Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your household.

Food
Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.  Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.  If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno.  Select food items that are compact and lightweight.

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables.

• Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water).

• Staples - sugar, salt, pepper.

• High energy foods - peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix.

• Vitamins.

• Foods for infants, elderly persons, or persons on special diets.

• Comfort/stress foods - cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags.

First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6), 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6), Hypoallergenic adhesive tape, Triangular bandages (3), 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls), 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls), Scissors, Tweezers, Needle, Moistened towelettes, Antiseptic, Thermometer, Tongue blades (2), Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant, Assorted sizes of safety pins, Cleansing agent/soap, Latex gloves (2 pair), Sunscreen, Aspirin/Non aspirin pain reliever, Anti diarrhea medication, Antacid, Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by Poison Control), Laxative, Activated charcoal (if advised by Poison Control).

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Contact Numbers
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1 immediately!  These other numbers are provided for information only; do not use them to report emergencies.