Prepare now for what Mother Nature throws at us this winter
Published 5:36 pm Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Take Winter By Storm – a campaign to help citizens get prepared before bad weather strikes – and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) joined forces Monday to launch the annual preparedness campaign and urge citizens to take action.
“When this dry, early fall weather pattern breaks, it may be abrupt,” said Ted Buehner, warning coordination meteorologist with NOAA’s National Weather Service Seattle. “Citizens need to be weather ready, and can find the tools and tips they need at TakeWinterByStorm.org.”
In past years that featured similar conditions, such as 2006 and 2009, the dry weather changed dramatically, bringing heavy rain, flooding, wind storms and snow, according to a press release.
“The bottom line,” says Buehner, “citizens need to be ready in advance, and watch, listen and monitor weather forecasts. Don’t wait until the storm strikes to prepare – that’s too late.”
This Friday marks the 50th anniversary of the devastating Columbus Day Storm of 1962 – a slightly similar weather pattern to this year’s – that resulted in widespread power outages and 46 deaths across the Pacific Northwest.
The public is encouraged to take the following actions in preparation to be storm ready:
• Create an emergency preparedness kit with at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water for your home and office. Kits prepared for vehicle road travel and winter weather evacuation go-kits are also advised.
• Make a plan and practice the plan with your family and those who depend on you.
• Stay informed and monitor the weather approaching in order to to prepare properly.
For more information:
Preparedness checklists in multiple languages
Emergency contact cards in multiple languages
http://takewinterbystorm.org/contact-cards/
