July 19, 2024
October 4, 2018
September is over yet hurricane season remains throughout October. Quiet periods in between weather events are perfect times to check your existing emergency preparedness plans, to complete planning yet accomplished, and to acquire emergency supplies not yet in place. October is considered a quieter time than other months. Although storms can happen at any time – recall the October 8, 2011 ice storm in New England. It is the perfect time to prepare as a consequence.
October is National Crime Prevention Month. The National Crime Prevention Council produces a 28-page crime prevention kit as a PDF titled “Keeping Our Communities Safe.”
October is also Fire Safety Month. Fire safety week is October 7 ending October 13, 2018, and many local fire departments sponsor educational awareness event this week. Be sure to change the batteries in you fire and smoke detectors.
Here are three excellent sources of researched-based information on fire safety:
August 23, 2018
Originally published on https://www.cdc.gov
Learn how to protect you and your loved ones during a thunderstorm. Being outside when lightning is present is not something to take lightly—ever.
The weather forecast calls for a slight chance of thunderstorms, but you can only see a few fluffy white clouds overhead. So you and your tennis partner grab your racquets and balls and head for the tennis court. You spend a few minutes warming up and then—wait! Is that thunder you hear? Was that a lightning flash?
What do you do? Keep playing until the thunder and lightning get closer? Go sit on the metal bench under the trees to see what happens? Or get in your car and drive home?
Correct answer: If no substantial, non-concrete shelter is nearby, get in your car and wait out the storm.
Why? Because being outside when lightning is present is not something to take lightly—ever.
Although the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are only around 1 in 500,000, some factors can put you at greater risk. Lightning most often strikes people who work outside or engage in outdoor recreational activities. Regional and seasonal differences can also affect your risk of being injured by lightning.
In 2017, Florida, Alabama, Colorado, North Carolina, and Texas had the most lightning deaths. Florida is considered the “lightning capital” of the country, with more than 2,000 lightning injuries over the past 50 years.
The consequences of lightning strikes are serious. Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities. During 2004–2013, lightning caused an average of 33 deaths per year in the United States.
When you see lightning, take safety precautions.
You can protect yourself from risk even if you are caught outdoors when lightning is close by.
Safety precautions outdoors
Safety precautions indoors
Lightning strikes may be rare, but they still happen and the risk of serious injury or death is severe. So take thunderstorms seriously.
Learn and follow these safety rules to keep yourself safe from lightning.
June 29, 2018
As it grows, the farmers.gov website will deliver information, tools, and first-hand advice built around the needs of America’s farmers, ranchers, and foresters. It’s a site being built for farmers, by farmers. Visit the new farmers.gov Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool.
June 5, 2018
Originally published by Jonathan Belles and Brian Donegan, May 24 2018 12:30 PM EDT | weather.com
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Numbers of Atlantic Basin named storms (those that attain at least tropical storm strength), hurricanes and hurricanes of Cat. 3 or greater intensity forecast by NOAA, The Weather Company and Colorado State University, compared to the 30-year average (1981 to 2010). Note: CSU is forecasting 13 additional storms, but the total is 14 when accounting for Alberto in May.
The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to produce a near- or above-average number of hurricanes and tropical storms, according to a seasonal outlook released Thursday by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. NOAA expects 10 to 16 named storms during the season, including five to nine hurricanes and one to four major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher intensity.
This is slightly more activity than expected by The Weather Company, which in May called for 12 named storms and five hurricanes this hurricane season. However, NOAA’s forecast is on par with the Colorado State University outlook also released earlier this month. An updated outlook will be released by Colorado State University on May 31.
These three forecasts are near or above the Atlantic Basin’s 30-year historical average (1981 to 2010) of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
Last year, 17 named storms, 10 hurricanes and six major hurricanes tore through the Atlantic Basin.
February 9, 2018
At the 4-H Volunteer Forum at Middletown High School on February 3rd, both teens and adults learned basic life support CPR. It was a very popular class at the forum, taught by Carol Cournoyer. Photos: Nancy Wilhelm
December 11, 2017
September 13, 2017
By Katy Davis
Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month? The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health has issued the Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness, with tons of information so you can prepared during an emergency.
Also, The Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness has come out in ten different languages! Those languages are English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Polish, Russian, and Vietnamese. Inside the guide is a lot of useful information for any case of an emergency. There are different areas of emergencies such as natural disasters, pandemic flu, nuclear emergencies and even drinking water emergencies. There is also a chapter on what to do if you are in an emergency situation. The Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness (in all ten languages) can be found at this link: http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3115&q=482616
September 5, 2017
September is recognized as National Preparedness Month (NPM) which serves as a reminder that we all must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and also where we visit.
In the face of disaster, Americans come together with courage, compassion and unity and ask, “How can I help?”
There are many ways to Get Involved especially before a disaster occurs. The whole community can participate in programs and activities to make their families, homes and communities safer from risks and threats. Community leaders agree the formula for ensuring a safer homeland consists of volunteers, a trained and informed public and increased support of emergency response agencies during disasters. Major disasters can overwhelm first responder agencies, empowering individuals to lend support.
So Get Involved before disaster strikes! Learn more…
August 30, 2017
Take the necessary steps to ensure you are prepared for any weather emergency
Preparing for emergency weather can help keep you and your loved ones safe, organized and informed this hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicating an above-normal 2017 hurricane season. In a recent press release Governor Malloy encouraged residents to “get (an emergency) kit, make a plan and stay informed.”
What simple steps can you take today?
United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 is a gateway to services related to emergency/disaster response and recovery as well as a statewide resource for emergency-related information collection and dissemination. 2-1-1 also maintains several eLibrary papers that can help you get prepared and stay informed including:How to Prepare and Safely Weather a Hurricane/Tornado, How to Prepare and Safely Weather a Flood, and Tropical Storm Information & Resources.
Call 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org for access to services and to stay informed during any extreme weather episode.
Source: United Way 2-1-1.