Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are short emergency alerts authorities can send to any WEA-enabled mobile device in a locally targeted area. Alerting Authorities who are authorized to send WEAs include state, local, tribal, and territorial public safety officials, the National Weather Service, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the President of the United States.
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A severe weather watch means to prepare for severe weather and listen to local weather advisories to know when warnings
are issued. Alerts are issued by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center when conditions are favorable for severe weather.
WARNING
A severe weather warning means there is a serious threat to life and property to those in the path of the storm. Act immediately to find safe shelter! The local NOAA NWS Forecast Office issues warnings when severe weather is reported by spotters or indicated by radar.
Tornadoes
Go to a safe shelter immediately, such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
Do not go under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.
Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death.
Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
If you can’t stay at home, make plans to go to a public shelter.
Know your area’s tornado risk. In the U.S., the Midwest and the Southeast have a greater risk for tornadoes.
Know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, or a loud roar like a freight train.
Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. If your community has sirens, then become familiar with the warning tone.
Pay attention to weather reports. Meteorologists can predict when conditions might be right for a tornado.
Identify and practice going to a safe shelter such as a safe room built using FEMA criteria or a storm shelter built to ICC 500 standards. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room or basement on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
Plan for your pet. They are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan.
Prepare for long-term stay at home or sheltering in place by gathering emergency supplies, cleaning supplies, non-perishable foods, water, medical supplies and medication.
Immediately go to a safe location that you have identified.
Pay attention to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions.
Protect yourself by covering your head or neck with your arms and putting materials such as furniture and blankets around or on top of you.
In a car or truck: There is no safe option when caught in a tornado in a car, just slightly less-dangerous ones.
If the tornado is visible, far away, and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado.
If you are caught by extreme winds or flying debris, park the car as quickly and safely as possible -- out of the traffic lanes.
Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushion if possible.
If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.
Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris.
Pay attention to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, and local authorities for updated information.
Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines.
Contact your healthcare provider if you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and continue to shelter in place.
Wear appropriate gear during clean-up such as thick-soled shoes, long pants, and work gloves, use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.
Hurricanes:
June 1-November 30
Know Your Hurricane Risk
Make an Emergency Plan
Know your Evacuation Zone
Recognize Warnings and Alerts
Review Important Documents
Strengthen your Home
Get Tech Ready
Help your Neighborhood
Gather Supplies
Stay Informed
Pay attention to emergency information and alerts.
If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone and local officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.
Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding.
Take refuge in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds.
Go to the highest level of the building if you are trapped by flooding. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.
Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
Pay attention to local officials for information and special instructions.
Be careful during clean up. Wear protective clothing, use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled, even if these individuals are not allergic to mold. Children should not help with disaster cleanup work.
Wear protective clothing and work with someone else.
Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.
Do not wade in flood water, which can contain dangerous pathogens that cause illnesses. This water also can contain debris, chemicals, waste and wildlife. Underground or downed power lines also can electrically charge the water.
Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems often are down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.
Floods:
Find safe shelter right away.
Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
Depending on the type of flooding:
Evacuate if told to do so.
Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
Stay where you are.
Know Your Risk for Floods
Purchase Flood Insurance
Make a Plan
In Case of Emergency
Evacuate immediately, if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
Contact your healthcare provider If you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.
Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only get on the roof if necessary and once there signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.
Pay attention to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
Avoid driving except in emergencies.
Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots during clean up and use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.
People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
Be aware that snakes and other animals may be in your house.
Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe to do so.
Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from windows.
Winter Storms:
Know your winter weather terms:
Winter Storm Warning
Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.
Winter Storm Watch
Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm.
Winter Weather Advisory
Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.
Stay off roads if at all possible. If trapped in your car, then stay inside.
Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, then wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
Reduce the risk of a heart attack by avoiding overexertion when shoveling snow and walking in the snow.
Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers and toes. Signs: Numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin. Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad.
Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency. Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness. Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.
Thunderstorms & Lightning
When thunder roars, go indoors! Move from outdoors into a building or car with a roof.
Pay attention to alerts and warnings.
Avoid using electronic devices connected to an electrical outlet.
Avoid running water.
Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Do not drive through flooded roadways. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
DON’T GET CAUGHT OUTSIDE
No place outside is safe when a thunderstorm is in the area. Get inside as soon as you hear thunder. Run to a substantial building or hard-topped metal vehicle as fast as you can. If you can’t get to a safe building or vehicle:
Avoid open areas. Don’t be the tallest object in the area.
Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility poles. Lightning tends to strike the taller objects in an area.
Stay away from metal conductors such as wires or fences. Metal does not attract lightning, but lightning
can travel long distances through it.
If you are with a group of people, spread out. While this actually increases the chance that
someone might get struck, it tends to prevent multiple casualties, and increases the chances that
someone could help if a person is struck.
Pay attention to authorities and weather forecasts for information on whether it is safe to go outside and instructions regarding potential flash flooding.
Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately.
Extreme Heat:
Learn to recognize the signs of heat illness.
Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illnesses.
Identify places in your community where you can go to get cool such as libraries and shopping malls or contact your local health department to find cooling options in your area.
Cover windows with drapes or shades.
Weather-strip doors and windows.
Use window reflectors specifically designed to reflect heat back outside.
Add insulation to keep the heat out.
Use a powered attic ventilator, or attic fan, to regulate the heat level of a building’s attic by clearing out hot air.
Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.
If you are unable to afford your cooling costs, weatherization or energy-related home repairs, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help.
Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day.
If air conditioning is not available in your home find a cooling option.
Take cool showers or baths.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Use your oven less to help reduce the temperature in your home.
If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Avoid high-energy activities or work outdoors, during midday heat, if possible.
Check on family members, older adults and neighbors.
Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Consider pet safety. If they are outside, make sure they have plenty of cool water and access to comfortable shade. Asphalt and dark pavement can be very hot to your pet’s feet.
Heat waves may cause you to lose power. Visit Power Outages to learn how to stay safe.
Know the signs of heat-related illnesses and ways to respond.
If you are sick and need medical attention, contact your healthcare provider for advice and shelter in place if you can. If you are experiencing a medical emergency call 9-1-1.
Get more detailed information about heat-related illnesses from the CDC and National Weather Service.
HEAT STROKE Signs: Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F) taken orally Red, hot and dry skin with no sweat
Rapid, strong pulse Dizziness, confusion or unconsciousness
If you suspect heat stroke, call 9-1-1 or get the person to a hospital immediately. if possible: move the person suffering from heat stroke into a cool, shaded area; remove any outer clothing; place a cold wet cloth or ice pack on the head, neck, armpits and groin, or soak the person’s clothing with cool water; elevating their feet.
HEAT CRAMPS Signs: Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms or legs
HEAT EXHAUSTION Signs: Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, fast or weak pulse, dizziness, headache, fainting, nausea, vomiting
If you have signs of heat cramps or heat exhaustion, go to a cooler location and cool down by removing excess clothing and taking sips of sports drinks or water. Call your healthcare provider if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.
Generators
Generators can be helpful when the power goes out. It is important to know how use them safely to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and other hazards.
Generators and fuel should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages.
Install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you, your family and pets.
Keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. Touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock.
Always connect the generator to appliances with heavy-duty extension cords.
Let the generator cool before refueling. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.
