SEVERE WEATHER | Cabell County 911

PREPARING FOR SEVERE WEATHER

Being prepared for severe weather is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones during a weather event. We have provided some help tips to better prepare you for typical events we experience in our area. Be sure to click the links for FEMA's guides to each event and have these readily available to reference during severe weather.

PREPARING FOR FLOODING

Flooding is a common in our area. It is inevitable. To ensure you are adequately prepared, here are some tips to follow and for the FEMA reference guide, click here.

Preparing for a Flood

Prepare a family disaster plan, including a communications plan and list of contact information you may need.
Check if your insurance covers flood damage. If not, consider looking into flood insurance.
Keep a well-documented, itemized list of personal property, complete with photographs and/or videos. This can also include the interior and exterior of your residence.
Keep insurance and other important documents and any valuables in a safe deposit box.
Assemble a disaster supplies kit to have on hand.
Find out where you can go if you are ordered to evacuate.
Sign up for CASS - the County's alert system to stay informed of emergencies like road closures and severe weather. To sign-up click here.
Keep a list of relatives and friends you may need to keep in touch with.

During a Flood

Monitor your local radio or TV stations, social media posts from officials with legitimate organizations and watch for any alerts through CASS.
If you live in a flood prone area, if necessary, get to higher ground as soon as possible.
Follow any directives or orders you are given by officials. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately and be sure to lock your residence upon your departure.
Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road. "Turn around, don't drown." Even six inches of fast moving floodwater can knock you off your feet and a depth of two feet will float a car.
Keep children away from culverts and storm drains and discourage them from playing in floodwaters.

After a Flood

Stay informed as the flood to any information provided by authorities and only return to your home when officials say it is safe.
Boil drinking water before using and discard any fresh food that may have come in contact with floodwaters.
Use flashlights, not torches or lanterns for light inside residences and other structures, as there may be flammables inside, as a result of the damages, such as a natural gas leak.
Do not handle live electrical equipment in wet areas. These should be checked and dried before attempting to use after a flood.
Wear proper protective equipment (PPE) during any cleanup.
Seek necessary medical care at the nearest medical facility and check with Red Cross shelters for any basic necessities, such as food, clothing or shelter.

PREPARING FOR A TORNADO

While not as common as other severe weather events, tornadoes have a tendency to occur throughout the tri-state area. To ensure you are adequately prepared, here are some tips to follow and for the FEMA reference guide, click here.

Preparing for a Tornado

Pay attention to weather reports and know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris and a freight train-like "roar" approaching.
Have a plan in place for what you need to do if a tornado is imminent. Know where in your residence you need to go, whether it is a basement or a solid, interior room of the house. If you are in a mobile home, have a plan to evacuate and know where you can evacuate to, a neighbor or family member's house or a public or community building.
Have an idea of how long it would take you to implement your plan so you have an idea of how long you have to evacuate or shelter-in-place.
Sign up for CASS - the County's alert system to stay informed of emergencies like road closures and severe weather. To sign-up click here.
Keep flashlights and cell phones charged in the event you lose power.
If your plan requires you to evacuate or if you may need to leave after the storm, be sure to have a full tank of gas in your car in the event gas stations are inoperable.
Keep a list of relatives and friends you may need to keep in touch with.

During a Tornado

Implement your plan - evacuating or shelter-in-place as soon as possible.
Monitor alerts either from the National Weather Service or through CASS for updates and additional information.
If you are forced to
If you shelter-in-place, consider covering your neck and head with your arms or cushions to protect yourself from falling debris.
Do not try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. If you are stuck outside at the time of a tornado and unable to get into a building, get down in your vehicle and cover your head and neck. Or you can abandon your vehicle and seek shelter in a low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine. Avoid highway overpasses and bridges.

After a Tornado

Continue to monitor alerts from national and local outlets for updates.
Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility poles as the lines may still be live/active.
If you need medical attention, contact 9-1-1 immediately to report your emergency.
Wear appropriate gear to clean up any debris or damages, including thick-soled shoes, long pants, gloves and even face masks.

PREPARING FOR WINTER WEATHER

During the winter season, we typically see severe winter weather in some form or fashion. From icy road conditions to measurable snowfall, preparation is key to survival. To ensure you are adequately prepared, here are some tips to follow and for the FEMA reference guide, click here.

Preparing for Winter Weather

Know the common winter weather storm terms:
- Winter Storm Warning - Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, freezing rain or sleet is imminent or occurring. Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected.
- Winter Storm Watch - Alerts to the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, freezing rain or sleet. These are typically issued 12 to 48 hours prior to an expected event.
- Winter Weather Advisory - Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain and sleet, which will cause significant inconveniences and if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.
Be sure your home is as prepared for winter weather as possible. Consider evaluating weather stripping, insulation and caulking around the exterior of your home to prevent as much cold air from getting into your residence as possible.
Learn how to prevent your pipes from freezing. This can cause you more issues than just not having drinking water as this can lead to pipes bursting and flooding your home.
Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery back ups.
Be sure to have necessities on hand in the event you are stranded at home; this includes food and medications. Also keep in mind any pets' necessities - their own medication and foods.
Have extra batteries on hand for radios and flashlights in the event you lose power or cable.
Sign up for CASS - the County's alert system to stay informed of emergencies like road closures and severe weather. To sign-up click here.
Keep a list of relatives and friends you may need to keep in touch with.

During a Winter Weather

Stay off the roads if at all possible. Unless absolutely necessary, there is no reason you would need to be out driving around during a winter storm. If you are out during a winter storm and trapped in your vehicle, stay inside your vehicle.
Limit the time you spend outside. Be sure to wear layers of warm clothing and watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
- If you experience Frostbite, go to a warm room and soak in warm water. Do not massage or use a heating pad. Warning signs include: numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin.
- Signs of Hypothermia can include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness. If you experience these symptoms, go to a warm room and try to warm the center of your body first - chest, neck, head and groin. Stay dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including your head and neck.
Reduce your risk of a heart attack by avoiding overexertion when shoveling snow and walking in the snow.

PREPARING FOR THUNDERSTORMS

Thunderstorms happen throughout the year. They can be considered an everyday weather event, but can still be just as deadly as other weather events. To ensure you are adequately prepared, here are some tips to follow and for the FEMA reference guide, click here.

During Thunderstorms

Move indoors or to a car with a roof if you start to hear thunder.
Pay attention to local CASS alerts and updates from the National Weather Service
Avoid using electronic devices connected to electrical outlets.
Avoid running water.
If you must be out during a storm, do not drive through flooded roads. "Turn around. Don't drown." Six inches or fast-moving water can knock you down and one foot of moving water can sweep away a vehicle.

After Thunderstorms

Pay attention to officials and weather forecasts for information on whether it is safe to go outside and follow instructions regarding potential flash flooding after a storm.
Watch for fallen power lines or downed trees in your area. Do not approach them and report them immediately to either 9-1-1 or your local power company.

Preparing for Thunderstorms

Know the risks associated with thunderstorms in our area. They can occur year-round and at any time of day.Better prepare your home and property prior to a storm.Cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home.Consider surge protectors, lightning rods or lightning protection systems for your home, appliances and electronic devices.Make an emergency plan and review it with your family members so they know what to do and where to do.Identify sturdy structures near your home, school or work in the event you need to find shelter.If possible, invest in a generator for your home, either a whole-home standby system or a portable generator.Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.Sign up for CASS - the County's alert system to stay informed of emergencies like road closures and severe weather. To sign-up click here.

PREPARING FOR POWER OUTAGES

Power outages can occur during or after any type of weather event. They can also be a result or manmade events, such as car accidents or electrical incidents. They can be planned or unplanned events but to ensure you are adequately prepared, here are some tips to follow and for the FEMA reference guide, click here.

Preparing for Power Outages

Take an inventory of items you possess that require electricity and plan to have batteries and other alternative power sources on hand in the event of an outage. This can include portable chargers or power banks or even hand crank devices.
If you have a landline phone, be sure you have a traditional corded phone that does not rely on electricity to work (i.e. cordless phones/bases).
If you or a family member is on medications or medical devices that may require electricity or refrigeration, talk to your doctor about alternative plans or how long the medicine can be stored at higher temperatures.
Have enough non-perishable food and water on hand for everyone in your home. Typically, a full freezer of food will keep its temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers and ice if necessary. Any food that reaches over 40 degrees must be thrown out.
Sign up for CASS - the County's alert system to stay informed of emergencies like road closures and severe weather. To sign-up click here.

During Power Outages

Generators and fuel should be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, door and vents (including crawl space vents).
Keep your generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. Wet generators can cause electrical shock.
Only use heavy-duty extension cords when connecting appliances to generators.
Let the generator cool before refueling. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.
Never use gas stovetops or ovens to heat your home.
Keep camp stoves, generators and charcoal grills outside and never use inside your home.

After Power Outages

Review temperatures of refrigerated foods and throw away anything that has been exposed to temperatures at or above 40 degrees for two hours or more or that has an unusual color, texture or odor.
Discard any medications that should be refrigerated if your power has been out for more than a day, unless the drug label says otherwise. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist immediately to request a new supply.
Evaluate your property for any damages and schedule any maintenance or repairs immediately.