Alert: New * MISCELLANEOUS SKYWARN BULLETIN Expires Sun, 27 May 2012 19:40:00 +0000

[Wakefield SKYWARN EMWIN Service]

ZZUS21 KAKQ 221940
ZADSKY
MDZ000-NCZ000-VAZ000-271940-

MISCELLANEOUS SKYWARN BULLETIN
SKYWARN OPERATIONS CENTER WAKEFIELD VA
240 PM EST WED DEC 22 2010

.. WINTER STORM SAFETY CHECKLIST FROM THE AMERICAN RED CROSS ..

WINTER STORMS CAN RANGE FROM A MODERATE SNOW OVER A FEW HOURS TO A
BLIZZARD WITH BLINDING, WIND-DRIVEN SNOW THAT LASTS FOR SEVERAL STATES,
WHILE OTHERS AFFECT ONLY A SINGLE COMMUNITY. MANY WINTER STORMS ARE
ACCOMPANIED BY DANGEROUSLY LOW TEMPERATURES AND SOMETIMES BY STRONG
WINDS, ICING, SLEET, AND FREEZING RAIN.

.. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE ..

WINTER STORM OUTLOOK .. WINTER STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE NEXT
TWO TO FIVE DAYS.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY .. WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO
CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INCONVENIENCES AND MAY BE HAZARDOUS. WHEN CAUTION IS
USED, THESE SITUATIONS SHOULD NOT BE LIFE THREATENING.

WINTER STORM WATCH .. WINTER STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE NEXT
36 TO 48 HOURS. PEOPLE IN A WATCH AREA SHOULD REVIEW THEIR WINTER STORM
PLANS AND STAY INFORMED ABOUT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

WINTER STORM WARNING .. LIFE-THREATENING, SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS HAVE
BEGUN OR WILL BEGIN WITHIN 24 HOURS. PEOPLE IN A WARNING AREA SHOULD
TAKE PRECAUTIONS IMMEDIATELY.

.. WHAT SHOULD I DO? ..

* DRESS IN SEVERAL LAYERS OF LIGHTEIGHT CLOTHING, WEAR MITTENS AND A
HAT (PREFERABLY ONE THAT COVERS YOUR EARS).

* WEAR WATERPROOF, INSULATED BOOTS TO KEEP YOUR FEET WARM AND DRY AND
TO MAINTAIN YOUR FOOTING IN ICE AND SNOW.

* MINIMIZE TRAVEL. IF TRAVEL IS NECESSARY, KEEP A DISASTER SUPPLIES
KIT IN YOUR VEHICLE.

* LISTEN TO A NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS CHANNELS FOR
CRITICAL INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE /NWS/.

* WINTERIZE YOUR VEHICLE AND KEEP THE GAS TANK FULL. A FULL TANK WILL
KEEP THE FUEL LINE FROM FREEZING.

* INSULATE YOUR HOME BY INSTALLING STORM WINDOWS OR COVERING WINDOWS
WITH PLASTIC FROM THE INSIDE TO KEEP COLD AIR OUT.

* MAINTAIN HEATING EQUIPMENT AND CHIMNEYS BY HAVING THEM CLEANED AND
INSPECTED EVERY YEAR.

* BRING PETS/COMPANION ANIMALS INSIDE DURING WINTER WEATHER. MOVE
OTHER ANIMALS OR LIVESTOCK TO SHELTERED AREAS WITH NON-FROZEN
DRINKING WATER.

* RUNNING WATER, EVEN AT A TRICKLE, HELPS PREVENT PIPES FROM FREEZING.

* ALL FUEL-BURNING EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE VENTED TO THE OUTSIDE AND KEPT
CLEAR.

* FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA ARE TWO DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-
THREATENING EMERGENCIES. LEARN HOW TO CARE FOR THESE EMERGENCIES BY
TAKING A FIRST AID CLASS.

.. WHAT SUPPLIES DO I NEED? ..

* WATER -- AT LEAST A 3-DAY SUPPLY; ONE GALLON PER PERSON PER DAY.

* FOOD -- AT LEAST A 3-DAY SUPPLY OF NON-PERISHABLE, EASY-TO-PREPARE
FOOD.

* FLASHLIGHT

* BATTERY-POWERED OR HAND-CRANK RADIO /NOAA WEATHER RADIO, IF POSSIBLE/

* EXTRA BATTERIES

* FIRST AID KIT

* MEDICATIONS /7-DAY SUPPLY/ AND MEDICAL ITEMS /HEARING AIDS WITH
EXTRA BATTERIES, GLASSES, CONTACT LENSES, SYRINGES, CANE/

* MULTI-PURPOSE TOOL

* SANITATION AND PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS

* COPIES OF PERSONAL DOCUMENTS /MEDICATION LIST AND PERTINENT MEDICAL
INFORMATION, PROOF OF ADDRESS, DEED/LEASE TO HOME, PASSPORTS, BIRTH
CERTIFICATES, INSURANCE POLICIES/

* CELL PHONE WITH CHARGERS

* FAMILY AND EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

* EXTRA CASH

* BABY SUPPLIES /BOTTLES, FORMULA, BABY FOOD, DIAPERS/

* PET SUPPLIES /COLLAR, LEASH, ID, FOOD, CARRIER, BOWL/

* TOOLS/SUPPLIES FOR SECURING YOUR HOME

* SAND, ROCK SALT OR NON-CLUMPING KITTY LITTER TO MAKE WALKWAYS AND
STEPS LESS SLIPPERY.

* WARM COATS, GLOVES OR MITTENS, HATS, BOOTS AND EXTRA BLANKETS AND
WARM CLOTHING FOR ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS.

* AMPLE ALTERNATE HEATING METHODS SUCH AS FIREPLACES OR WOOD- OR COAL-
BURNING STOVES.

.. WHAT DO I DO AFTER A STORM? ..

* GO TO A DESIGNATED PUBLIC SHELTER IF YOUR HOME LOSES POWER OR HEAT
DURING PERIODS OF EXTREME COLD.

* AVOID DRIVING WHEN CONDITIONS INCLUDE SLEET, FREEZING RAIN, OR
DRIZZLE, SNOW OR DENSE FOG.

* BEFORE TACKLING STRENUOUS TASKS IN COLD TEMPERATURES, CONSIDER YOUR
PHYSICAL CONDITION, THE WEATHER FACTORS AND THE NATURE OF THE TASK.

* PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA BY WEARING WARM,
LOOSE-FITTING, LIGHTWEIGHT CLOTHING IN SEVERAL LAYERS. STAY INDOORS,
IF POSSIBLE.

* HELP PEOPLE WHO REQUIRE SPECIAL ASSISTANCE SUCH AS ELDERLY PEOPLE
LIVING ALONE, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND CHILDREN.

* CHECK ON YOUR ANIMALS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEIR ACCESS TO FOOD AND
WATER IS NOT BLOCKED BY SNOW DRIFTS, ICE OR OTHER OBSTACLES. IF
POSSIBLE, BRING THEM INDOORS.

.. CAUTION: CARBON MONOXIDE KILLS ..

* NEVER USE A GENERATOR, GRILL, CAMP STOVE OR OTHER GASOLINE, PROPANE,
NATURAL GAS OR CHARCOAL-BURNING DEVICES INSIDE A HOME, GARAGE,
BASEMENT, CRAWLSPACE OR ANY PARTIALLY ENCLOSED AREA. LOCATE UNIT
AWAY FROM DOORS, WINDOWS, AND VENTS THAT COULD ALLOW CARBON MONOXIDE
TO COME INDOORS.

* THE PRIMARY HAZARDS TO AVOID WHEN USING ALTERNATE SOURCES FOR
ELECTRICITY, HEATING OR COOKING ARE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING,
ELECTRIC SHOCK AND FIRE.

* INSTALL CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS IN CENTRAL LOCATIONS ON EVERY LEVEL
OF YOUR HOME AND OUTSIDE SLEEPING AREAS TO PROVIDE EARLY WARNING OF
ACCUMULATING CARBON MONOXIDE.

* IF THE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM SOUNDS, MOVE QUICKLY TO A FRESH AIR
LOCATION OUTDOORS OR BY AN OPEN WINDOW OR DOOR.

* CALL FOR HELP FROM THE FRESH AIR LOCATION AND REMAIN THERE UNTIL
EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ARRIVE TO ASSIST YOU.

.. LET YOUR FAMILY KNOW YOU'RE SAFE ..

IF YOUR COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES A SEVERE WINTER STORM, OR ANY DISASTER,
REGISTER ON THE AMERICAN RED CROSS SAFE AND WELL WEB SITE AVAILABLE
THROUGH REDCROSS.ORG TO LET YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS KNOW ABOUT YOUR
WELFARE. IF YOU DON'T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS, CALL 1-866-GET-INFO TO
REGISTER YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

&&

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: REDCROSS.ORG

$$

REDCROSS/SVC