Is your family prepared for Severe Weather?

Fire District #1 and the Johnson County Fire and Burn Prevention Committee would like to provide you with valuable safety information. You may also contact the American Red Cross, which provides a host of brochures and information that will assist you and your family for preparing for tornado's, thunderstorms, and lightning strikes. Your best defense for severe weather is to develop a plan. Everyone needs to know what to do under severe weather conditions. You need to make sure that all family members know the difference between a tornado warning and a tornado watch. A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop in your area. You should monitor your radio or TV for updates. A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted and that it may be heading to your area. You should go to your safe location immediately. If you are at home, the lowest level or basement is the most preferable location to meet. It should be as far away from windows as possible. If you are outside or traveling in a vehicle, try to get to safety indoors. If you can not, lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.

Phone lines are often destroyed during tornado activity. Establish an emergency contact that lives in another city. If you are involved in a tornado, all family members should check in with their emergency contact and inform them that they are okay. This will allow everyone in the family to know that all other family members are safe. You should also assemble a disaster supplies kit. The kit should include first aid supplies; can food and opener; 3 gallons water per person; protective/extra clothing; bedding or sleeping bags; battery operated radio; flashlight; extra batteries; special items that would be needed for infants or elderly; medicine; games; and written instructions on how to turn off gas, water, and electricity; and tools such as a wrench, pry bar, and hammer. This kit should be updated every six months.

If a tornado strikes, watch out for down power lines and stay out of damaged areas. Do not use candles because there may be a gas leak in the area. If you smell gas, turn off the gas at the gas meter. Call 911 if you need any type of assistance.  However, you should be aware that a tornado could easily destroy homes in a pathway that is a mile in width. This can quickly overwhelm emergency services and it may take them some time to get to everyone. Check with your local fire department to enroll in a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training course. CERT training can provide you with the skills necessary to handle the emergency until help arrives.