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NEW
YORK STATE
DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS COMMISSION
Weather
Hazards Awareness Guide
"New
York State is a wonderful place to live, work and play. The
change of seasons provides for some of the most spectacular
natural scenery in the country. But like any diverse climate, the
weather can be unpredictable. This guide will help prepare you
for and provide tips on how to stay safe in all types of weather
in New York State."
George
E. Pataki, Governor
When
Inclement Weather Hits:
Remain
CALM, but take IMMEDIATE action.
If
on vacation or driving through an unfamiliar area, remember the
county you are in and where you are in relation to other towns
and cities.
Know
how to get to a safe place quickly if a weather warning is
issued. Develop a plan for you and your family at home, work,
school and when outdoors.
Check
on neighbors who require special assistance: infants, the
elderly, and people with disabilities. Don’t forget to plan
for your pets and/or livestock!
Alert
your utility if someone in your family uses life-support
equipment.
Avoid
all downed power lines -- assume they are live with
electricity.
If
your lights go out:
Call
your utility first to determine area repair schedules. Turn
off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit
overload when electric service is restored. Leave one light on
to indicate that power has been restored.
To
help prevent freezing pipes, turn on faucets slightly.
Running water will not freeze as quickly.
PROTECT
yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning. DO NOT operate
generators indoors; the motor emits deadly carbon monoxide gas.
DO NOT use charcoal to cook indoors – it, too, can cause a
buildup of carbon monoxide gas. DO NOT use your gas oven
to heat your home -- prolonged use of the open oven in a closed
house can also create carbon monoxide gas. Make sure all fuel
space heaters are used with proper ventilation.
Keep
refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to
help reduce food spoilage.
Have
disaster supplies on hand, including:
l
Flashlights l
Extra batteries lBattery-operated
radio l
Essential medicines
l
Emergency food and water l
Manual can opener l
Extra blankets and sleeping bags
l
Fire extinguisher l
First aid kit and manual l
Checkbook, cash, credit/ATM cards
l
Emergency heating equipment, used properly
PLAN
AHEAD FOR ALL TYPES OF WEATHER!
And
the forecast calls for . . . .
HOT
AND SUNNY
Wear
sun block and protective clothing to prevent sunburn, skin
cancer and premature aging.
Drink
plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Avoid strenuous activity in
hot weather.
On
very hot days, stay in air-conditioned shelter.
SNOW
AND ICE
Winter
Storm Watch - severe winter weather
conditions may affect your area.
Winter
Storm Warning - severe winter
weather conditions are imminent.
Blizzard
Warning - Large amounts of falling
or blowing snow and winds of at least 35 miles per hour are
expected to last for several hours. Visibility is dangerously
restricted.
Wind
Chill - the effect of wind, in
combination with actual temperature, which increases the rate of
heat loss to the human body. Also the temperature at which
exposed skin suffers frostbite within a short time period.
If
you are under shelter:
If
you are outdoors:
If
you are in a vehicle:
Stay
in your car. DO NOT
leave the vehicle to search for assistance
unless assistance is visible within 100 feet. You can become
disoriented and lost in blowing snow.
Display
a trouble sign. Hang a bright colored cloth on the car radio
antenna, raise the hood and turn on flashing hazard lights.
Occasionally
run the engine to keep warm. Keep the window slightly open and
beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep the exhaust pipe
clear.
TORNADO
Tornado
Watch - conditions are favorable over a large area for
severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to develop.
Tornado
Warning - a tornado has been detected or seen, is on the
ground and moving and is expected to move through your area soon.
You should TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY!
Environmental
Clues to look out for:
If
you are outdoors:
Seek
shelter in a substantial building immediately. If there is no
shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands
shielding your head. DO NOT try to outrun a tornado in your car;
instead, leave it immediately and seek shelter.
Avoid
all downed power lines. Assume they are live with electricity.
If
you are at home or in a small building:
If
you are in a school, hospital or shopping center:
If
you are in a high-rise building:
If
you are in a mobile home or vehicle:
THUNDERSTORM
Severe
Thunderstorm Watch - severe thunderstorms are possible
in and close to the watch area.
Severe
Thunderstorm Warning - a severe thunderstorm has been spotted
and is going to move through your county soon.
If
you are outdoors:
If
you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by
lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
Move
to a sturdy building or car. DO NOT take shelter in small sheds,
under isolated trees, near fences, poles or in convertible
automobiles. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to
flooding.
If
you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
If
you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, squat low
to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on
your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the
smallest target possible; minimize your contact with the ground.
If lightning occurs and sturdy shelter is not available, get
inside a hard top automobile and keep the windows up.
Get
out of boats and away from water.
Stay
away from telephone lines and metal pipes, which can conduct
electricity.
If
you are under shelter:
DO
NOT take a bath or shower.
Turn
off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can overload
the compressors.
Unplug
appliances not necessary for obtaining weather information. Use
the telephone only for emergencies.
HURRICANE
Hurricane
Watch - conditions are possible in the specified area,
usually within 36 hours.
Hurricane
Warning - conditions are expected in the specific area,
usually within 24 hours.
Learn
safe routes inland and the location of official shelters. Fuel
and service vehicles.
Put
up storm shutters and store loose objects. Brace exterior doors.
Close all interior doors.
Set
refrigerator to maximum cold. Open only when necessary.
Stay
away from windows and doors. If you are in a multi-story
dwelling, go to the lowest floor. Take refuge in a small
interior room, closet, hallway, or under a table.
If
you are told to leave your home - do so! Plan to evacuate if you
live in a mobile home, high-rise, on the coastline or offshore
island, or near a river or flood plain.
FLOODING
If
you are outdoors:
Get
to higher ground. Watch out for washed out roads, earth slides,
broken water or sewer mains, loose or downed electric wires and
falling or fallen objects.
DO
NOT attempt to drive over a flooded road. Most flash
flooding deaths occur in automobiles.
If
you are under shelter:
Find
out how many feet your property is above and below possible
flood levels.
Keep
materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber
handy for emergency water-proofing.
If
you are in a multi-story dwelling, move essential items and
furniture to upper floors.
Disconnect
electric appliances that can’t be moved. DO NOT touch them if
you are wet or standing in water.
MONITOR
THE WEATHER
Listen
to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather
Radio, TV or emergency broadcast stations. NOAA broadcasts 24
hour weather information on the following frequencies:
For
more information regarding weather emergencies, please contact
your local emergency management office or visit the State
Emergency Management Office (SEMO) website at:
http://www.nysemo.state.ny.us.
Troy
Amateur Radio Association - N2TY
145.17/R * Troy's Full
Service Repeaters * 444.225/R
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