City Of OKC Releases Severe Weather Preparation Tips

With severe weather season upon us, the City of Oklahoma City has released preparation tips.

Tuesday, April 7th 2015, 4:15 pm

By: News 9


With severe weather season upon us, the City of Oklahoma City has released preparation tips.

Clean out shelters and closets.

  • Clean out your storm shelters and closets to make sure they are accessible, sanitary and comfortable.
  • Shelters should be dusted and cleaned, and their entrances should be unobstructed. If you use a closet or interior room as a tornado shelter, make sure floor space is clear and blankets, pillows, helmets and other safety items are easily accessible.
  • Make sure the moving parts like hinges, latches and rollers are properly working and you have performed any preventative maintenance.
  • If you spray your storm shelter or safe room for bugs and insects, make sure it is properly ventilated before vacuuming it or using it.

Download the Red Cross tornado app.

Outdoor Warning Sirens

  • When a siren is sounded in Oklahoma City, it means the National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for the county in which the siren is located. Sirens might also sound if there is a credible report from the City's public safety personnel of a tornado in the county.
  • Take immediate shelter if a siren sounds and seek more information. With that information, decide what further protective measures to take.
  • When the sirens stop, it does not mean the tornado threat is over.
  • Sirens may be activated more than once as new or additional threats are identified.
  • Oklahoma City does not sound “all clear” signals.
  • Oklahoma City sounds every siren in the county for which a tornado warning has been issued.
  • Oklahoma City tests outdoor warning sirens at noon on Saturdays when there is no threat of severe weather.

Register your storm shelter.

Build an emergency supply kit.

Your emergency kit should be updated each year and out-of-date supplies should be replaced as necessary.

Suggested supplies, which should be kept in an airtight container stored in an easily accessible place, include:

  • Water: At least one gallon per person per day for at least three days.
  • Food. At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food for each person.
  • Radio. Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and an NOAA Weather Alert Radio with extra batteries.
  • First aid kit.
  • Whistle to signal for help.
  • Dust mask for each family member.
  • Misc. tools: wrench, pliers, screw drivers and hammer.
  • Manual can opener.
  • Cash – ATMs might be unavailable for several days during a disaster.
  • Medications, special dietary requirements and medical equipment.
  • Formula, diapers and bottles.
  • Pet food, leash and medications.

Shelter in Place

  • Oklahoma City Emergency Management recommends people should shelter-in-place during tornado warnings. Oklahoma City does not have public storm shelters.
  • Shelter-in-place means to take shelter where you are, remaining inside your home, workplace or nearby buildings.
  • The best way to shelter in place and for residents to protect themselves against the impact of a tornado is to install a safe room or storm shelter. Safe rooms and storm shelters designed and constructed to FEMA guidelines and ICC 500 standards will protect against the force of extreme winds up to 250 miles per hour.
  • If you do not have a below-ground storm shelter, keep in mind that most homes provide adequate protection from 98 percent of Oklahoma's tornadoes. Sheltering in an interior hallway or room without exterior windows or doors on the lowest level of your house is typically the safest place to be during a tornado. Put on any helmet, if available. Wear sturdy shoes to protect you if you need to walk through debris.
  • People who live in trailers or manufactured homes should have a plan to seek shelter in a well-constructed building nearby.
  • People who live on upper levels of apartment buildings should seek shelter in an apartment on the lowest level of the complex.
  • Vehicles are among the most dangerous places to be during a tornado. Find a nearby building to shelter in if you are driving during a tornado warning. Never seek shelter underneath a bridge or overpass.
  • If you are stranded outside, lie down in a ditch or low-lying area away from your vehicle.

Plan ahead

Planning ahead and being prepared helps limit risk and anxiety. Write down the following information to keep with you:

Family

  • List the name, date of birth, race and sex of each family member.
  • Include their special needs (ex. diabetic requires insulin; hearing impaired, etc.)
  • Identifying marks (ex. birthmarks, scars, tattoos, etc.)
  • Your pets are part of your family, so take time to list them. List name, type of pet, gender, age, veterinarian contact information & brief description of pet.

Common family locations

  • Make a list of common places where you and your family spend the majority of your time such as work, school and daycare. Include the location name, address and phone number.

Emergency Meeting Places

  • Should you and your family be separated, designate a few places to meet. List at least three meeting places along with their addresses and phone numbers.

What is a tornado watch?

  • Watches are issued to specific counties by the National Weather Service (NWS).
  • It means the possibility of tornadoes exists in your county.
  • Remain weather alert for approaching severe weather.
  • Spread the word to family, friends and co-workers.
  • Turn on local TV, radio or NOAA Weather Radio and stay alert for warnings.

What is a tornado warning?

  • Warnings are issued to specific counties by the National Weather Service (NWS).
  • It means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar in your county.
  • Outdoor warning devices will sound if a tornado warning has been issued.
  • Immediately seek shelter in your pre-designated place of safety.
  • Oklahoma City Outdoor Warning Devices will sound in the county or counties for which the tornado warning has been issued.
  • Turn on local TV, radio or NOAA Weather Radio and stay alert for further information/instruction.

What to do after a tornado:

  • Keep family and pets together and wait for emergency personnel to arrive.
  • Continue to monitor local TV, radio and or NOAA Weather Radio and stay alert for further information / instruction.
  • Watch out for fallen power lines and be aware of broken gas lines.
  • Stay out of damaged buildings.
  • If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.

Disasters and pets

To keep your companion animals safe during disasters, we recommend planning ahead. Listed below are some tips to consider as part of your planning process:

  • Create a plan that includes your pets and make sure everyone in the home is aware of individual expectations, communication and meeting locations.
  • Always keep a collar and tag on pets. Include your name, phone number and email on the tag and write it with permanent ink on the inside of the collar. We also recommend a form of permanent identification such as a microchip or tattoo for all animals.
  • Create a disaster bag for your pet. It should include a copy of your pet's medical records, a photo of your pet, copies of your pet's identifications, food, water, medications, leash, bowls, bedding, litter/box and a carrier to transport your pet.
  • Start a buddy system with your neighbors to check on each other's pets if you are not home after a disaster.
  • Make sure your pet is free of disease and up-to-date on vaccinations so it will be accepted into a facility if necessary.
  • Know the phone number and address of the Animal Shelter so you can find out about temporary evacuation locations for your pet or know where to go if you lost your pet during a disaster. Oklahoma City's Animal Shelter is at 2811 SE 29 and can be reached at (405) 297-3100.

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