Friday, September 28, 2007

Hurricane Preparedness Must Have

Hurricane Preparedness Must Have

Now a days you go into a store and WOW there are so many things that scream out at you saying "Oh buy ME". Yea right, a fancy coffee maker that can tell you the time for coffee in 20 languages or a Don't forget to walk the Dog button alarm for the kitchen door. OK so there are other things even more interesting in the stores that make life much more interesting, fun and easy to live. I'm grateful for them all.

Yet one this that is not a fun thing, not sexy or will be used every day but EVERONE who has weather should have. Yep, it's a NOAA weather radio. This is a great item to have in yrou hurricane preparedness resources and hurricane supplies.

We live in a complex and complicated world not just due to weather but all kinds of stuff including disasters and terrorism. So by having something that can save our lives or in some other way safeguard us is special. Don't you think that such an item should be put at the top of our list of MUST HAVE ITEMS?

You got to admit that a coffee maker that can tell you the time for coffee in 20 languages or reminds you about the dog really can't save your life or that of a loved one but this simple little radio sure can. Hey I don’t own stock in any of these weather alert radio companies, but I do own stock in doing all I can to keep myself stay safe, I hope you do too! SO---GET ONE!!


COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Are you or have you been in a hurricane disaster? Do you know someone who is recovering or has been affected by a hurricane in the past? Please share your thoughts and stories here on this blog. All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.

Be Safe!

Terrie

Dr. Terrie Modesto, Critical Incident Thanatologist

Orlando Sentinel - Hurricane Blog - A minute-by-minute account of developments in Central Florida brought to you by the Orlando Sentinel:
" Tornado shows need for weather radio
posted by John A. Cutter on Sep 21, 2007 3:44:13 PM Discuss "http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_weather_hurricane/

Lake County sent this news release this afternoon:

EUSTIS — Officials from the Lake County Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division, are reiterating the need for residents to use NOAA weather radios after the fourth tornado in Lake County in less than a year occurred last night.

"Thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, bomb scares, chemical spills and brush fires. These are just a few of the potential hazards residents can face in Lake County," said Jerry Smith, Director of the Emergency Management Division.

"Having a battery operated, tone-alert NOAA Weather Radio in your home is like having your own personal tornado siren - only it will alert you of all these impending dangers. In every Lake County home, a NOAA Weather Radio should be as common as a smoke detector."

A weather radio broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other non-weather related hazard information 24 hours a day. When a threat is determined, National Weather Service forecasters interrupt routine weather programming and transmit a special tone that automatically activates weather radios. This instant emergency notification can give you and your family valuable seconds to seek shelter.

Some of the recommended features for a weather radio include: Tone alarm – Activates weather radio to sound, even if the audio is turned off. Selectable alerting of events – Allows an operator to turn off the alarm for certain events, which might not be pertinent. For example, if an individual lives in a coastal county, but not right at the beach, he or she might not wish to know about Coastal Flood Warnings. Battery backup – Since power outages often occur during storms, having a receiver with battery backup can be crucial. SAME technology – Specific Alert Message Encoding allows operator to specify the particular area for which to receive alerts. For more information about weather radios, log on to www.lakecountyfl.gov or www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/.

No comments: