Since May 16, 2010, millions have watched this video of the Oklahoma City hail storm.  The video provides a great, if extreme, example of hail storm’s destructiveness.

Thankfully, not all hail is as potentially lethal as the kind seen in this video.  Still, it got Safe America thinking about the safety steps you can take if you were caught in a hail storm.  While doing research on this issue, we found the following information from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The information is great advice, and it may teach you how to react if you are ever caught in a hail storm.

What to do if you are caught in a hail storm while in an automobile:

• Most importantly, stop driving. If you see a safe place close-by (like inside a garage, under a highway overpass or under a service station awning), drive to it as soon as you can. Make sure you pull completely off the highway.
• Do NOT leave the vehicle until it stops hailing. Your car might get dented, but unlike you, the car won’t get a concussion.
• Stay away from car windows. Cover your eyes with something, like a piece of clothing. If possible, get onto the floor faced down or lay down on the seat with your back to the windows.
• Put very small children under you and cover their eyes.

What to do if you are caught in a hail storm while in a building:

• Stay inside until the hail stops.
• Stay away from windows, especially those being struck by hail.
• Account for all family members, building occupants, pets, etc.
• Do not go outside for any reason. Large hail can cause serious or even fatal injuries.
• To avoid the danger of electrocution from lightning, avoid using phones and electrical appliances during a severe storm

What to do if you are caught in a hail storm while outdoors:

• Seek shelter immediately. If you can’t find something to protect your entire body, find something to protect your head.
• Stay out of culverts and lowland areas that may suddenly fill with water.
• Seeking shelter under trees should be a last resort. It is common during severe storms for trees to lose branches. Also, large isolated trees attract lightning.

Facts about Hail

• The hail season varies around the United States. Generally, it runs March through October, with the majority of hail storms occurring May through August.
• Hail is primarily an afternoon or evening phenomenon. Most severe hailstorms occur between 1:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M.
• Hailstorms rarely last more than 15 minutes. The median duration is 6 minutes.
• The most common size for damaging hail is 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The most common size for hail in Colorado is 1/4 inches.
• The largest documented hailstone fell in Kansas. It was 5 1/2” in diameter and weighed nearly 2 pounds!

preparedness · safety · weather

With the Midwest’s wild weather in the news recently, the staff at the Safe America Foundation thought it might be a good idea to blog about the steps you can take to protect yourself and your family during a Severe Thunderstorm.

What makes a Thunderstorm “severe” anyway?

The Weather Channel has a pretty good overview here. Generally speaking though, a thunderstorm is considered severe if it produces:

• lightning
• heavy rain
• has wind gusts of at least 58 miles per hour or hail at least 1 inch in diameter

What is the difference between a “Severe Thunderstorm Watch” and a “Severe Thunderstorm Warning?”

Severe Thunderstorm Watch — Severe thunderstorms are in or near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning — Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property.

Okay, so a “Severe Thunderstorm Warning” has been issued. Now what?

Below are some recommendations from the Red Cross that we at Safe America think are useful.

• Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates.
• Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind.
• If thunderstorms are likely to occur, postpone outdoor activities.  Many people who are struck by lightning are not in the area where rain is occurring.
• If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, take shelter in a substantial building or in a vehicle with the windows closed. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in highwinds.
• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning.  If thunder roars, go indoors! The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.
• Avoid lectrical equipment and telephones. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead.
• Shutter windows and close outside doors securely. Keep away from windows.
• Do not take a bath, shower or use plumbing.
• If you are driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. However, avoid low-lying areas prone to flash flooding in heavy rain. Stay in the vehicle, and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle.
• If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground; water; tall, isolated trees; and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are NOT safe.

preparedness · safety · weather

Safe America President Len Pagano participated recently in a CDC program to prepare business, non-profit and governmental leaders for the possibility of a terrorist strike in a city like Atlanta.

The one-day program focused on how the public and private sectors would react to any emergency – not only in dealing with the immediate casualties on-the-scene but the entire population impacted by the psychological effect of a first-of-its kind domestic terrorist event.

“We know that suicide bombers are being trained – but what’s even more frightening is evidence that some of them are home-grown Americans… from places like Alabama,” noted CDC Foundation President Charles Stokes. “We need to recognize the threat and be ready to handle it.”

The conference comes in the wake of discussions that suggest a growing amount of chatter in the intelligence community about possible domestic terrorist strikes. Safe America – which has been a leader in individual resiliency with its ‘Drill Down for Safety’ program – is looking at ways to increase readiness with a first-ever national texting drill this September 2010. Discussions have begun with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile about involving millions of Americans and families in what to do in an emergency.

A focus on texting comes amid growing reports that in Haiti, people were able to stay in touch via texting even when voice communications was ‘shut down.’ SafeAmerica will meet with volunteer leaders in Chicago in late February to discuss how to organize a national media campaign around texting… while also conducting a 9/11 day of drills – both personal, community and corporate.

“9/11 Drill Down for Safety” has been supported by corporate grants from the Motorola and UPS Foundations, along with additional support from CNA, Roche/Genentech, Travelers Insurance and State Farm.

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On September 1, 2009, the Safe America Foundation held a great event to help kick off the 9/11 Drill Down for Safety program at USA Today headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Associated Press issued a story that day regarding Drill Down and the goals of the project. This article had wide distribution throughout the United States, including newspapers, television & radio stations, and blogs. The article was even seen as far away as Brisbane, Australia.

The article was great and helped spread the message and goals of the 9/11 Drill Down for Safety, especially focusing in on one important part of an overall disaster plan: the use of text messaging and social networking (i.e., Facebook, Twitter).  Safe America is encouraging these elements be part of a broader preparedness plan. As part of the Drill Down program, Safe America offers toolkits for families and businesses to help them develop preparedness kits at the home and workplace. Different types of drills, including ones for the family, business, and special needs community help provide the necessary information to prepare for emergency situations.

Safe America is also giving families the option of a drill involving the evacutation of a home. This plan includes important details as to where your family would meet if there was an emergency at home. Another drill option is to conduct a “shelter in place” to find the location your family would meet in case of an emergency such as a tornado or hurricane. Businesses can also participate in drills ranging from what they would do in case of a natural disaster, energy disruption, or medical emergency. Safe America also provides drill options for those with disabilities, including how to evacuate or shelter those that need assistance.

These different drill options help cover a wide variety of scenarios to help build a more prepared and ready America. This September 11, help us Drill Down for Safety.

For more information please visit our website at www.safeamericaprepared.org

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Text messaging, also known as Short Message Service (SMS), is a new enhancement to communication. Not only can you use text messages to stay in contact with colleagues, family, and friends, but “texting” can be useful in an emergency when wireless and hard phone lines are unavailable.

In situations where you are unable to use the phone to call for help—learning to send text messages can help save your life. There is a time and place for texting. Using your phone to text in a classroom or working environment may be considered disorderly, but if you are in danger or need assistance, texting can work as an immediate cry for help because it works on an analog system which is different than the wireless or hard phone line connections. Set up a texting plan with your family for emergencies:

1.    First, check with your service provider to verify your text messaging plan—or standard text messaging rates may apply.
2.    Meet with your family members to come up with messages to send in cases of emergency —make up your own abbreviations for specific events or disasters.
3.    Arrange emergency messages in your phone’s template folder for immediate access— helps to cut out time texting entire message.
4.    Set up “distribution lists” on your phone—add your emergency contact persons, including family and friends, to alert all at once when you send out messages.

HELP Saves Time
–(incorporate Texting video podcast)–

Learning to text can be challenge for some—but here are some tips to assist in text messaging. To create a new message to send, using your cell phone:

• Go to the “MENU”
• Find the option “TEXT MESSAGES” or “INBOX” (options may vary depending on the phone)
• Select  option to “Create / Compose / or Send New Message”
• In the empty box—use the keypad to type your message

Most people have a difficult time typing in the messages for a text, but it is recommended to keep messages short.

There are three main methods to use for typing in text messages: ABC, T9 and QWERTY keypad. Most standard phones use either “ABC” or “T9.” Most smart, technologically enhanced phones (i.e., iPhone, Blackberry) use QWERTY keypads.

• In ABC mode- to insert letters, hit each key up to three times to get your desired letter. For example, to text “HELP”:

o    press number 4 (2 times)
o    press number 3 (2 times)
o    press number 5 (3 times)
o    press number 7 (one time)

• T9 is a text method that predicts your desired word with a single tap of a key. T9 can predict almost any word in the dictionary. For example, To text “HELP”- type 4357- and T9 will automatically predict the word “HELP”)

o    In some cases, T9 may predict an undesired word—For example: To text “SAVE” – type 7283 – and you will see T9 also predicts the word “RATE” – depending on your particular phone- to change the word, type either #, 0, or *. Check with your phone manual for further assistance with word change in T9.

• QWERTY keypad is an easy-to-use method that resembles the letters on a computer keyboard. To type “HELP” – simply use the keys to find the letters, H-E-L-P.

For more information please visit Safe America Prepared.

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The Safe America Foundation is presenting a series of webinars for our upcoming 9/11 Drill Down for Safety. These programs help provide information to individuals and businesses regarding the steps they should take during an emergency. Webinars will be held weekly and will cover a variety of topics including:

• Personal Emergency Planning and Preparation
• Critical Messages: How to Communicate
• Protecting Special Need Populations
• Measuring Success:  Grading Yourself

This week’s topic will cover limiting employer liability for and to employees during emergency situations. For more information regarding this and other webinars, including a full schedule and how you can participate, please visit our website and this September 11th, let’s Drill Down for Safety!

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FEMA director Craig Fugate has announced the creation of the Children’s Working Group, a new way for kids to be prepared in the event of an emergency. Fugate made the announcement today during a Senate Subcommittee hearing on Disaster Recovery and laid out the details of his plan, which FEMA later outlined on their website:

From FEMA:

Areas of focus of the Children’s Working Group will include:

• Child-specific guidance as to evacuation, sheltering, and relocation;
• Tracking and reunification of families;
• Coordinated case management supports;
• Enhanced preparedness for child care centers and schools as well as for children in child welfare and juvenile justice systems;
• Enhanced national planning, including incorporation of children into national planning scenarios and exercises;
• Incorporation of children’s needs into grant guidance;
• Improved recovery coordination across the federal family and with state and local partners in support of children’s education, health and housing;
• Consideration as to how the federal family can help ensure child care centers are able rebuild and restore services more quickly following a disaster, and;
• Increased public awareness efforts to educate families and protect children during disasters.

Fugate went on to say, “It is time for special needs populations, whether children or any other segment of our communities who have traditionally been underserved, to be more fully and consistently integrated into preparedness and planning efforts at every level of government,” Administer Fugate said.  “Children are a part of every community.  We must understand and address their needs from the outset, recognizing that they are not simply small adults. That means not putting the considerations specific to children in a separate box, but incorporating them into our planning on the front end.”

For more information on this and other FEMA programs, please visit their website at www.fema.gov

UPDATE: Testimony from FEMA Administrator and others now available online via the U.S. Senate. Webcast is also available.

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From FEMA: ” The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today released a Web video message highlighting the need for the public to be prepared for any emergency.

“Our entire emergency management team has a role to play when it comes to preparing for and responding to the next disaster,” said Administrator Fugate. “One of the most important parts of that team is the public. The more prepared the public is now, by getting an emergency response kit, making an emergency action plan, and getting a skill, like CPR, the stronger our emergency response team will be.”"

For more information on preparedness from FEMA, check out the following links:

FEMA’s Multimedia Website- www.fema.gov/medialibrary
Youtube- www.youtube.com/fema
Facebook- www.facebook.com/fema

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Secretary Norman Y. Mineta hosted a joint press conference at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with Lt. General Mac Armstrong (USAF Ret) on Friday, June 19, 2009. They joined Len Pagano, President and CEO of the Safe America Foundation, and several corporate and government leaders in launching the 9/11 Drill Down for Safety—a national campaign to assist businesses and families in practicing recommended guidelines to prepare for anticipated and unanticipated disasters.
(more…)

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All of us at the Safe America Foundation would like to welcome you to our new blog. Updates will occur regularly with a focus on all of our programs, news, and information that is important to all Americans. Feel free to browse our website and keep checking back to this blog for all the up-to-date news from the Safe America Foundation

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