SEVERE WEATHER CHECKLIST Tornado and Storm Safety Information When a tornado is coming, you have only a short amount of time to make life-or-death decisions.
HOW TO PREPARE
Huston has a safety plan that involves special vests for severe weather events - read more here. For even more details of the new and innovative ideas see this link. New groups such as this go a long way towards improving safety for seniors and they have shown that "For-Profit" and "Not-for-Profit" groups can work side by side for the good of all. Both with different motives, but both working towards the same goal. Southeast Texas Senior Care Providers Task Force
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Get a NOAA weather Radio with auto alert, for your county ONLY. Which you can pick up at Radio Shack. THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR EVERY HOUSE.
Sign Up for our Alert Service Click below for more info.
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Pick a shelter. For information on the best shelters CLICK HERE
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Teach everyone in the family where to go in the case of a tornado. Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on tornadoes.
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Teach everyone the difference between a tornado WATCH & WARNING, AND REMEMBER SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN PRODUCE TORNADOES WITH LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING.
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Learn tornado danger signs: (1) An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible. (2) Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still. (3) Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.
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Get a map, so you can follow storm movment.
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Choose a friend or family member in another part of town to be the "check-in person" for every family member to call should they be separated during a storm.
Or Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
Have a practice tornado drill with your family, and pets at the begging of each tornado season.
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Make sure you have a emergency supply kit with the items listed below
Family Disaster Supply Kit - Keep these items in backpacks in case your area is evacuated.
Essentials:Battery-operated radio Flashlight Extra batteries (Do not include candles, which cause more fires after a disaster than anything else.)
Water:3 gallons/person, minimum, in a food-grade, plastic container Additional water for sanitation, include pets.
Food:Minimum 3-day supply of non-perishable food that requires no refrigeration, or preparation, and little or no water, for example:
Ready to eat soups (not concentrated)
Canned vegetables
Canned fruits
Ready-to-eat canned meats
Canned juice
Quick energy snacks
MRE's "Meals Ready to Eat
First Aid Kit: (one for your home and one for each car)
Scissors
Sunscreen
Thermometer
Tweezers
Needle
Cleansing agent/soap
Latex gloves (2 pairs)
Tongue blades (2)
Moistened towelettes
Assorted sizes of safety pins
2" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
4" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
2" sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
3" sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Triangular bandages (3)
Non-Prescription Drugs:
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Anti-diarrhea medication
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Tools and Supplies:
Whistle
Aluminum foil
Crowbar
Heavy cotton rope
Paper, pencil
Plastic sheeting
Medicine dropper
Needles, thread
Signal flare
Matches in a waterproof container
Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
Pliers, screwdriver, hammer
Cash or traveler's checks, change
Plastic storage containers
Non-electric can opener, utility knife
Tape, duct and plumber's tape or strap iron
Sanitation:
Disinfectant
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Feminine supplies
Soap, liquid detergent
Toilet paper, towelettes, paper towels
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Clothing and Bedding:
One complete change of sturdy clothing and footwear (boots) per person
Blankets or sleeping bags
For Baby:
Formula
Diapers
Bottles
Medication
Powdered milk
For Pet:
Food
Non-tippable food and water containers
Important Family Documents: Copy of will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds Copy of passports, social security cards, immunization records Record of credit card account numbers and companies Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) Record of bank account numbers Inventory of valuable household goods Important telephone numbers. NOTICE: Take some bills with your home address and mailed envelopes along to get back to your house. After a tragic tornado or storm event it can be difficult to get back to your house without proper Identification. Bills and post marked envelopes are very helpful and may allow you back to your home sooner.
Family Medical Needs:
Prescription drugs
Heart and high blood pressure medication
AFTER
Help injured or trapped persons
Turn on radio or television to get the latest emergencyinformation.
Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
Take pictures of the damage--both to the house and its contents--for insurance purposes.
Give first aid when appropriate. Don't try to move the seriously injuredunless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, or gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the buildings if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS
Storm Warnings A great warning service that can send you storm warnings and watches via e-mail, pagers, phones, etc. Personal tornado warnings when you need them.
