Spring Severe Weather
City of Abilene
A Storm Ready Community
SEVERE WEATHER PLANNING
Straight line wind storms, downburst rains and tornadoes can occur at anytime
of the year in Texas. Individuals and families need to plan well in advance.
When a severe storm or tornado strikes, there may be only a few seconds to
react and find shelter. Basic preparedness plans should be in place at home, at
work, and at school. Each family member or employee should understand the
plan.
□ The first step in preparedness is to ensure you have a reliable
method of receiving weather information including TV, radio and
NOAA weather radio, plus a backup system if one goes out.
Battery powered equipment and extra batteries should be part of
the plan.
□ For home, work or school, shelter areas should be designated,
whether they are in basements below ground level, ground level
windowless rooms, or interior hallways on the lowest floor. Protect
yourself from flying debris with thick blankets, sleeping bags or
mattresses.
□ If you are in a vehicle, mobile home or portable classroom, move
quickly to a strong building for shelter. If there is no shelter, lie flat
in the nearest ditch or depression.
□ Do not take shelter in a structure with a high, wide roof such as an
auditorium, gym or shopping mall.
□ Choose a person to telephone outside your city to let others know
you are safe and choose a place for family members to meet if your
neighborhood and home are damaged or destroyed.
TORNADOES
A TORNADO WATCH is issued when severe
weather is expected along with large or multiple
tornadoes. It means WATCH the sky. A
TORNADO WARNING means TAKE ACTION
because a tornado is on the ground. Seek shelter
immediately. When a tornado is sighted, the most
important rule is to get low and stay low.
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Seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of the home,
such as a bathroom, closet or hallway.
In an office building, go to anterior (front) room or hallway on the
lowest floor.
Leave your mobile home and take shelter in a nearby building. If
no building is nearby, lie flat in a ditch or ravine.
Never stay inside a car. Leave the car and lie flat in a ditch or
ravine. If a building is nearby, take shelter inside.
Never try to out run a tornado with your car.
If at school, follow plans and go to a designated shelter area, usually interior
hallways on the lowest floor. Avoid auditoriums or areas with large spans and
wide roofs.
□ Go to interior rooms and halls on the lowest floor of a shopping
center. Do not leave the shopping center to get in your car.
□ If you are in open country, take cover on low, protected ground.
HAIL AND STRAIGHT LINE WINDS
While tornadoes are extremely dangerous, wind and hail storms are equally
dangerous and damaging. Thunderstorms should never be taken for granted.
Straight line winds, or wind in excess of 100 mph are strong enough to uproot
trees and can cause substantial damage to buildings. Hail can fall to earth at
speeds nearing 100 mph, damaging trees, crops, automobiles, buildings…and
people.
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Monitor T.V. and radio broadcasts as well as NOAA weather radio
for storm warnings and watches.
When straight line winds threaten, respond the same way you
would to a threat of a tornado.
DELAY THE GAME WHEN
THUNDERSTORMS APPROACH
Sports fields are dangerous places to be during
thunderstorms. The National Weather Service and
Emergency Management urge organizations to
delay play when thunderstorms approach. Sports fields are large, open areas
where people are often the tallest objects making them very vulnerable to
lightening strikes. Additionally, metal bleachers, fences, light poles, and goal
posts attract lightning. When lightning hits these objects, the charge travels
along the object, potentially injuring anyone in contact with the metal. Lightning
can bounce off any of these objects and strike people nearby. Officials should
prepare to suspend games and move players and spectators inside nearby
buildings or into cars and buses until the storm passes.
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If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck be lightning.
If you are outdoors with no shelter available, stay low.
Move away from hills and high places and avoid tall isolated trees.
Do not touch metal objects such as bats, rackets, and golf clubs.
Do not ride bicycles, or lean against fences or metal sheds.
Do not lean against vehicles—get inside the vehicle quickly.
Avoid wet areas that can conduct the lightning charge.
If you feel your hair suddenly standing on end, you may be a lighting target.
Crouch low on the balls of your feet; try not to touch the ground with your knees
or hands.
WATER ON THE ROAD - FLOODING
Floods are one of the most common hazards in the
United States. Drivers often underestimate the power of
floodwater. The National Weather Service and the
Governor’s Division of Emergency Management are
urging citizens to learn the dangers of driving into
flooded roadways.
These are the facts:
� Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars.
� Twelve inches of water will float many cars.
� Two feet of rushing water will carry off pickup trucks and other vehicles.
� Water across a road may cover up a missing segment of roadbed or a missing
bridge.
� Remember the slogan: Turn Around, Don't Drown. Saving your life is as
simple as choosing an alternate route.
EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
Prepare for severe storms before they strike. Have a family emergency supply
kit on hand. Keep your kit in water resistant, easy-to-lift containers that you can
move quickly if necessary. This supply kit is appropriate for severe weather
events as well as other emergencies. It should include:
� First-aid kit
� Cash (power outages mean banks and ATMs may be unavailable)
� Road maps
� Battery operated radio and flashlight with extra batteries
� Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence
� Three (3) day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of bottled water per
person per day, coolers for food and ice storage
� Fire extinguisher
� Blankets, sleeping bags, and extra clothing
� Prescriptions, hearing aids, and special medical items as well as common
over-the counter medications
� Eyeglasses, sun glasses, dentures
� Toilet tissue, cleaning supplies, duct tape, tarp, rope
� Can opener, knife, tools, booster cables
� Special supplies needed for babies, older adults. or pets
Remember to replenish perishable supplies and water every six months.
Prepared by:
City of Abilene Office of Emergency Management
(325) 676-6683
(325) 676-6525