Emergency Management News

Monday, March 31, 2014

April Weather Records for #AltusOK from @OKmesonet

SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
Periods of Record
Temps#1904-2010
Precip#1904-2012
Snow#1904-2012
# - large gaps in record
Key
* - Record since tied
Highlight = Apr record
All Temps in deg F
All Precip in inches
Sig Prcp Freq = Pct of
days with >= 0.1" precip
1T Avgs: 73/42
Sig Prcp Freq: 9%
Extremes:
High T98 (1946)
Low T27* (1948)
Precip0.98 (2000)
2T Avgs: 74/44
Sig Prcp Freq: 10%
Extremes:
High T91 (1913)
Low T22 (1936)
Precip1.13 (1919)
3T Avgs: 74/44
Sig Prcp Freq: 12%
Extremes:
High T97 (1950)
Low T23* (1936)
Precip1.22 (1957)
4T Avgs: 73/43
Sig Prcp Freq: 3%
Extremes:
High T95 (1943)
Low T26 (1920)
Precip0.66 (1997)
5T Avgs: 73/43
Sig Prcp Freq: 14%
Extremes:
High T94 (1954)
Low T26* (1920)
Precip1.51 (1921)
6T Avgs: 73/43
Sig Prcp Freq: 11%
Extremes:
High T99 (1954)
Low T23 (1971)
Precip0.71 (1940)
Snowtrace (1939)
7T Avgs: 75/44
Sig Prcp Freq: 9%
Extremes:
High T96 (1972)
Low T23 (2009)
Precip1.12 (1915)
8T Avgs: 72/44
Sig Prcp Freq: 10%
Extremes:
High T99 (1963)
Low T25 (1938)
Precip1.50 (1942)
Snow6.0 (1938)
9T Avgs: 73/43
Sig Prcp Freq: 10%
Extremes:
High T93 (1963)
Low T24 (2003)
Precip1.45 (1942)
10T Avgs: 74/45
Sig Prcp Freq: 11%
Extremes:
High T98 (1963)
Low T26 (1973)
Precip2.14 (2008)
11T Avgs: 74/45
Sig Prcp Freq: 14%
Extremes:
High T99 (1972)
Low T27 (1989)
Precip2.22 (1994)
12T Avgs: 74/45
Sig Prcp Freq: 11%
Extremes:
High T105 (1972)
Low T26* (1940)
Precip0.96 (1967)
Snowtrace (1940)
13T Avgs: 74/45
Sig Prcp Freq: 18%
Extremes:
High T98 (1936)
Low T25 (1957)
Precip0.60 (1973)
14T Avgs: 77/47
Sig Prcp Freq: 12%
Extremes:
High T96 (1936)
Low T29 (1980)
Precip2.26 (1916)
15T Avgs: 78/47
Sig Prcp Freq: 11%
Extremes:
High T100 (2006)
Low T27* (1928)
Precip1.96 (1945)
16T Avgs: 78/48
Sig Prcp Freq: 12%
Extremes:
High T98 (1913)
Low T34 (1945)
Precip1.50 (1976)
17T Avgs: 79/49
Sig Prcp Freq: 12%
Extremes:
High T101* (1955)
Low T28 (1921)
Precip2.34 (1995)
18T Avgs: 78/50
Sig Prcp Freq: 18%
Extremes:
High T101 (1925)
Low T31 (1921)
Precip2.20 (1917)
19T Avgs: 78/50
Sig Prcp Freq: 15%
Extremes:
High T95 (1987)
Low T32* (1939)
Precip1.91 (2003)
20T Avgs: 78/49
Sig Prcp Freq: 12%
Extremes:
High T99 (1925)
Low T32 (1953)
Precip1.61 (1952)
21T Avgs: 78/50
Sig Prcp Freq: 13%
Extremes:
High T97* (1925)
Low T34 (1918)
Precip1.82 (1957)
22T Avgs: 79/51
Sig Prcp Freq: 13%
Extremes:
High T98 (1955)
Low T31 (1931)
Precip1.68 (1952)
23T Avgs: 79/52
Sig Prcp Freq: 12%
Extremes:
High T101 (1989)
Low T34 (1996)
Precip1.05 (1957)
24T Avgs: 79/51
Sig Prcp Freq: 15%
Extremes:
High T98 (1996)
Low T34 (1968)
Precip2.14 (1925)
25T Avgs: 79/51
Sig Prcp Freq: 16%
Extremes:
High T96* (1967)
Low T39 (1995)
Precip1.93 (1997)
26T Avgs: 78/51
Sig Prcp Freq: 15%
Extremes:
High T95* (1956)
Low T38 (1945)
Precip1.63 (1928)
27T Avgs: 79/51
Sig Prcp Freq: 12%
Extremes:
High T96 (1955)
Low T35 (1920)
Precip1.50 (1985)
28T Avgs: 77/50
Sig Prcp Freq: 16%
Extremes:
High T94 (1927)
Low T36 (2008)
Precip2.30 (1940)
29T Avgs: 77/53
Sig Prcp Freq: 20%
Extremes:
High T98 (1936)
Low T39 (1968)
Precip4.06 (2009)
30T Avgs: 79/52
Sig Prcp Freq: 21%
Extremes:
High T95 (1947)
Low T36* (1984)
Precip1.35 (1974)
Apr. Averages
High Temp77 F
Low Temp48 F
Avg Temp62 F
Precip2.36"
Snow0.1"

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Smokey Bear - Take the Pledge #OKfire

Can you do your part to prevent #wildfire?  Take the Smokey Bear Pledge:

It's free and you get a nice prize as a result.



Wednesday, March 19, 2014

March is Red Cross Month #AltusOK @RedCross #OKready

March is Red Cross Month

Did you know that March is Red Cross month?  It is one month of the year to take the time to recognize our country’s everyday heroes who give their time to help people in need. The American Red Cross, in addition to supplying about 40 percent of our nation’s blood, also provides shelter, food and emotional support during emergencies and disasters. The Red Cross relies on the heroic efforts of its workers and volunteers to get the job done. 
Here’s 5 ways that you can become a hero for the Red Cross:
1.      Become a Red Cross volunteer.  You can be a force and lend a hand in your community.
2.      Give blood.  Help a patient going through a hard time.
3.      Take a class.  Gain information and skills to help out in an emergency.
4.      Make a plan. Get your family involved and develop a preparedness plan for emergencies.
5.      Make a financial donation. Your generosity will help those in need.
March is a great month for you to join with other heroes and become a part of the Red Cross.  More information on how you can help is available on the Red Cross website.

Thanks to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for this information.


Friday, March 14, 2014

The first America’s #PrepareAthon is coming! #AltusOK #OKready


National Day of Action is scheduled for April 30, 2014.

America's PrepareAthon! is a nationwide, community-based campaign for action to increase emergency preparedness and resilience. The first America’s PrepareAthon! National Day of Action is scheduled for April 30, 2014 and you’re invited to participate!  The first National Day of Action will revolve around taking the actions to prepare for specific hazards:  tornadoes, wildfires, floods and hurricanes
Despite an increase in weather-related disasters, nearly 70 percent of Americans have not participated in a preparedness drill or exercise, aside from a fire drill, at their workplace, school, or home in the past 2 years.  
To move people to action, the President, through Presidential Policy Directive (PPD-8), has directed all federal agencies to work with their stakeholders across the country to “coordinate a comprehensive campaign to build and sustain national preparedness, including public outreach and community-based and private-sector programs to enhance national resilience…” In support of this effort, the federal family is launching America’s PrepareAthon!SM, a community-based campaign to increase emergency preparedness and resilience at the grassroots level. Twice yearly, in the spring and fall, America’s PrepareAthon! will provide a national focus for individuals, organizations, and communities to participate through drills, group discussions, and exercises to practice for local hazards.
Goals
Increase the number of individuals who:
·         Understand which disasters could happen in their community,
·         Know what to do to be safe and mitigate damage,
·         Take action to increase their preparedness, and
·         Participate in community resilience planning.
What can I do?
Plan your own local community or organizational preparedness event; participate in discussion forums with like-minded peers and colleagues; and not only learn the actions to take for disaster preparedness but alsopractice them!
A robust, interactive website and additional resources to help you plan your very own day of action will be made available online this spring.  Additionally, you’ll soon be able to register to participate in America’s PrepareAthon! and provide details about the activities you’re planning. 
In the meantime, please look at the following materials which provide a bit more information on why America’s PrepareAthon! is taking place and how you can play a role:
·         America's PrepareAthon! Disaster Survivor Video: Please click "Download" to view the video.
Stay in Touch
To stay in touch and receive updates on America’s PrepareAthon! please email  prepareathon@fema.dhs.gov.
Additionally, please follow us on Twitter @PrepareAthon and be sure to use the #PrepareAthon hashtag so you can join thousands of other Americans in the conversation about taking action for preparedness!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Social Media drill results in #OKwx #Skywarn #SMEM


In the social media drill a few months back, +Rick Smith and friends at the National Weather Service office in Norman discovered (again) where Social Media is weak.

It's good for getting the word out.  It shines in getting the word out fast.  It fails when people see the word late.

Please remember the average tornado warning is 14 minutes.  Only 46K might
have gotten a timely warning, in an actual event.



What to do about it?

1.  Have MORE than three ways to get weather information.  "NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information from the nearest National Weather Service office." http://1.usa.gov/1kAG7M0  There surely is a transmitter near you.  You may have to put an outdoor antenna up to hear it well but 98% of the Country is covered.

2.  If your community has a community alerting system, enroll in it.  The City of Altus uses Alert Altus.  There are others.  Many Television and Radio broadcasters offer their own brand of text and email alerts.

3.  Consider WeatherCall if you need a phone call.  This would notify you of warnings when your address is in a National Weather Service warning polygon.  This would be good for a backup to the weather service radio as it would alert you at night.

4.  Get an amateur radio license. Area hams, especially those involved in Skywarn and emergency management, talk about the weather a lot.  Many of them have direct ties to the Weather Service offices.

Have you three ways to get the message?


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Time to get #OKready #AltusOK

From Darryl Madden, Director of FEMA Ready Campaign:

For many, the New Year is a time for setting goals and making new resolutions for the year to come. If you are anything like me, each year you find yourself resolving to achieve a healthier lifestyle - eating right, exercising more, losing a few pounds.
Setting personal health goals in the New Year is great, but improving overall well-being involves taking actions to be prepared. Knowing what to do in an emergency is vital to the health and safety of you and your loved ones.

This year, the Ready Campaign is challenging you to be Prepared in 2014. Start the New Year by connecting with family and friends on the importance of preparedness. Not only can the information shared potentially save a life, connecting with those you love has an added benefit. People who have strong social connections tend to be healthier and more resilient.
I know the hardest part of keeping a resolution is sustaining it after those first few weeks of the year, but you don’t have to do it all at once.

First, start by simply having the conversation: who to call, where to meet and what to pack in an emergency.

Build your family’s emergency supply kit by picking up recommended emergency items over the first month or two of the year.

Create a preparedness checklist. This should include things such as emergency phone numbers and copies of important documents, and information on how to register for programs such as the American Red Cross Safe and Well website.

Set reminders throughout the year to talk about and update your family emergency communication plan. If you have children, include them in conversations and planning activities. 
The Ready Campaign has age-appropriate tools and resources you can use to introduce disaster preparedness to them. And you can learn more about talking with kids after disasters so you’re ready to help them through tough situations.

Have pets? Make sure they are a part of your planning process. Create a pet go-bag to help keep them safe during an emergency. Find helpful tips from FEMA on how to plan for your furry friends.

Older adults often have special needs in a disaster and may depend on medications or other special requirements. If older adults are a part of your social connection, be sure to include them in your preparedness planning efforts.

Emergencies can and will happen, but being ready can minimize the impact they have on the overall well-being of you and your family.

This year, make disaster preparedness part of your New Year’s resolution. On January 1st 2014, join the Resolve To Be Ready Thunderclap to promote a message of preparedness to your social connections on New Year’s Day. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #Prepared2014 whenever you discuss family preparedness on Twitter.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Weather records for #AltusOK from @OKMesonet

SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
Periods of Record
Temps#1904-2010
Precip#1904-2012
Snow#1904-2012
# - large gaps in record
Key
* - Record since tied
Highlight = Mar record
All Temps in deg F
All Precip in inches
Sig Prcp Freq = Pct of
days with >= 0.1" precip
Mar. Averages
High Temp67 F
Low Temp38 F
Avg Temp53 F
Precip1.55"
Snow0.7"
   
1T Avgs: 60/33
Sig Prcp Freq: 9%
Extremes:
High T92 (2006)
Low T8 (1962)
Precip0.88 (1942)
Snow8.5 (1942)
2T Avgs: 62/34
Sig Prcp Freq: 11%
Extremes:
High T90 (1974)
Low T6 (1922)
Precip1.56 (1918)
Snow2.0 (1995)
3T Avgs: 63/34
Sig Prcp Freq: 14%
Extremes:
High T89 (1955)
Low T6 (1943)
Precip1.35 (1988)
Snow0.5 (1917)
4T Avgs: 63/32
Sig Prcp Freq: 5%
Extremes:
High T83 (1938)
Low T8 (2002)
Precip0.64 (1992)
5T Avgs: 64/34
Sig Prcp Freq: 4%
Extremes:
High T93 (1991)
Low T13 (2002)
Precip1.56 (2004)
Snow0.8 (1954)
6T Avgs: 64/34
Sig Prcp Freq: 9%
Extremes:
High T92 (2009)
Low T11 (1943)
Precip0.73 (1970)
Snow1.5 (1948)
7T Avgs: 63/34
Sig Prcp Freq: 5%
Extremes:
High T88 (2006)
Low T10 (1920)
Precip0.71 (1970)
Snowtrace (1995)
8T Avgs: 63/34
Sig Prcp Freq: 9%
Extremes:
High T83* (1925)
Low T10 (1967)
Precip1.25 (1919)
Snow3.8 (1919)
9T Avgs: 65/35
Sig Prcp Freq: 9%
Extremes:
High T89 (1955)
Low T14 (1996)
Precip0.57 (1994)
Snow1.3 (1915)
10T Avgs: 66/36
Sig Prcp Freq: 9%
Extremes:
High T91 (1955)
Low T14 (1932)
Precip1.48 (1973)
Snow0.5 (1948)
11T Avgs: 66/38
Sig Prcp Freq: 11%
Extremes:
High T95 (1967)
Low T19* (1932)
Precip2.80 (1990)
Snow2.5 (1948)
12T Avgs: 66/38
Sig Prcp Freq: 14%
Extremes:
High T95 (1989)
Low T18 (1998)
Precip0.80 (1929)
Snow4.5 (1958)
13T Avgs: 66/37
Sig Prcp Freq: 9%
Extremes:
High T95 (1916)
Low T8 (1948)
Precip0.88 (1922)
Snow3.6 (1924)
14T Avgs: 68/36
Sig Prcp Freq: 6%
Extremes:
High T91 (1971)
Low T19 (1954)
Precip1.50 (1982)
15T Avgs: 67/39
Sig Prcp Freq: 9%
Extremes:
High T88 (1932)
Low T16 (1947)
Precip1.10 (1981)
Snow2.0 (1947)
16T Avgs: 66/37
Sig Prcp Freq: 7%
Extremes:
High T85 (1916)
Low T21 (1956)
Precip2.42 (1998)
17T Avgs: 69/38
Sig Prcp Freq: 11%
Extremes:
High T94 (1989)
Low T22* (1928)
Precip2.35 (1961)
18T Avgs: 68/39
Sig Prcp Freq: 14%
Extremes:
High T92 (1916)
Low T11 (1923)
Precip1.39 (2008)
19T Avgs: 67/39
Sig Prcp Freq: 15%
Extremes:
High T93 (1994)
Low T20 (1965)
Precip1.73 (2006)
Snow2.5 (1924)
20T Avgs: 69/38
Sig Prcp Freq: 13%
Extremes:
High T92 (1916)
Low T10 (1965)
Precip1.50 (1985)
Snow2.0 (2010)
21T Avgs: 69/38
Sig Prcp Freq: 9%
Extremes:
High T98 (1997)
Low T20 (1955)
Precip1.25 (1921)
Snow1.0 (2010)
22T Avgs: 70/40
Sig Prcp Freq: 7%
Extremes:
High T95 (1997)
Low T18 (1914)
Precip1.68 (1935)
Snow0.9 (1955)
23T Avgs: 71/40
Sig Prcp Freq: 12%
Extremes:
High T90 (1929)
Low T20 (1952)
Precip3.22 (2000)
Snow0.5 (2006)
24T Avgs: 71/41
Sig Prcp Freq: 12%
Extremes:
High T91 (1954)
Low T23* (1965)
Precip1.26 (1920)
Snowtrace (1974)
25T Avgs: 69/41
Sig Prcp Freq: 8%
Extremes:
High T92 (1932)
Low T23* (1940)
Precip1.23 (1960)
Snowtrace (1965)
26T Avgs: 69/40
Sig Prcp Freq: 14%
Extremes:
High T95 (1956)
Low T18 (1955)
Precip1.51 (1929)
Snow1.0 (2001)
27T Avgs: 70/40
Sig Prcp Freq: 16%
Extremes:
High T103 (1971)
Low T15 (1931)
Precip1.80 (1929)
Snow2.0 (1931)
28T Avgs: 72/42
Sig Prcp Freq: 22%
Extremes:
High T100 (1971)
Low T20* (1931)
Precip1.40 (1938)
Snow6.0 (1937)
29T Avgs: 69/41
Sig Prcp Freq: 11%
Extremes:
High T96 (1967)
Low T14 (1944)
Precip1.10 (1926)
Snow3.0 (1944)
30T Avgs: 69/41
Sig Prcp Freq: 12%
Extremes:
High T91* (1917)
Low T21 (1987)
Precip1.41 (1993)
Snow2.0 (1926)
31T Avgs: 72/41
Sig Prcp Freq: 11%
Extremes:
High T97* (1940)
Low T24 (1926)
Precip0.95 (1916)