Your September weather information from Oklahoma Mesonet #AltusOK

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Periods of Record Temps #1903-2010 Precip #1903-2012 Snow #1903-2012 # - large gaps in record	1 T Avgs: 92/67 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 108 (1951) Low T 51 (1915) Precip 1.93 (1932)	2 T Avgs: 93/67 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 107 (1947) Low T 53* (1915) Precip 0.68 (1989)	3 T Avgs: 92/66 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 109 (2000) Low T 48 (1974) Precip 1.95 (1959)	4 T Avgs: 91/66 Sig Prcp Freq: 20% Extremes: High T 108* (1947) Low T 50 (1974) Precip 2.69 (1996)	5 T Avgs: 91/65 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 108 (1998) Low T 50 (1974) Precip 5.85 (1971)	6 T Avgs: 92/66 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 104* (1963) Low T 53 (1974) Precip 0.92 (1973)
7 T Avgs: 92/66 Sig Prcp Freq: 10% Extremes: High T 105* (1936) Low T 50 (1943) Precip 2.46 (1942)	8 T Avgs: 91/65 Sig Prcp Freq: 10% Extremes: High T 104 (1930) Low T 51 (2004) Precip 2.15 (1949)	9 T Avgs: 91/64 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 103 (1936) Low T 48 (2004) Precip 1.20 (1941)	10 T Avgs: 90/64 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 104* (1963) Low T 47 (1962) Precip 1.24 (2007)	11 T Avgs: 89/63 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 106 (2000) Low T 50 (1976) Precip 1.20 (1969)	12 T Avgs: 89/64 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 108 (1930) Low T 49 (1940) Precip 3.55 (1933)	13 T Avgs: 89/63 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 105 (1930) Low T 48* (1975) Precip 3.50 (1989)
14 T Avgs: 88/62 Sig Prcp Freq: 21% Extremes: High T 104* (1918) Low T 46* (1945) Precip 3.60 (1925)	15 T Avgs: 87/63 Sig Prcp Freq: 13% Extremes: High T 104 (1943) Low T 41 (1993) Precip 1.51 (2005)	16 T Avgs: 87/62 Sig Prcp Freq: 23% Extremes: High T 104 (1956) Low T 45 (1993) Precip 2.43 (1964)	17 T Avgs: 88/62 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 102 (1997) Low T 41 (1981) Precip 1.14 (1976)	18 T Avgs: 88/62 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 103 (1952) Low T 40 (1981) Precip 1.96 (1971)	19 T Avgs: 87/62 Sig Prcp Freq: 16% Extremes: High T 102* (1930) Low T 47 (2003) Precip 4.38 (1965)	20 T Avgs: 87/61 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 103 (1953) Low T 44* (1918) Precip 2.15 (1965)
21 T Avgs: 86/60 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 102* (1977) Low T 35 (1983) Precip 1.79 (1974)	22 T Avgs: 86/59 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 101 (1977) Low T 40 (1983) Precip 1.92 (1969)	23 T Avgs: 85/59 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 100 (1926) Low T 40 (1994) Precip 5.26 (1997)	24 T Avgs: 84/58 Sig Prcp Freq: 13% Extremes: High T 100* (1930) Low T 35 (1989) Precip 1.97 (1916)	25 T Avgs: 83/58 Sig Prcp Freq: 19% Extremes: High T 99* (1998) Low T 40* (1975) Precip 2.77 (1974)	26 T Avgs: 84/56 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 106 (1953) Low T 38 (2000) Precip 3.71 (1936)	27 T Avgs: 84/55 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 104 (1953) Low T 38 (1942) Precip 1.96 (1973)
28 T Avgs: 84/56 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 105 (1953) Low T 38 (1967) Precip 0.70 (1926)	29 T Avgs: 83/55 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 100* (1928) Low T 40 (1916) Precip 3.00 (1986)	30 T Avgs: 83/54 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 105 (1977) Low T 28 (1984) Precip 1.22 (1941)	Key * - Record since tied Highlight = Sep record All Temps in deg F All Precip in inches Sig Prcp Freq = Pct of days with >= 0.1" precip	Sep. Averages High Temp 88 F Low Temp 62 F Avg Temp 75 F Precip 2.82" Snow 0.0"

Thunderclap Heard ‘Round the World #NPM14 #OKready #AltusOK

National Preparedness Month (NPM), which is celebrated every September, is almost here.  To show your support, share the NPM Thunderclap message today. Once you sign up, Thunderclap will sync your social media accounts to release an automatic Facebook post, Tweet or both on September 2, 2014 at 2:00 PM reminding your friends and followers to make a family emergency plan.

 It takes just a few steps to join:

1. First, click the link to this year’s Thunderclap message “Get involved in National Preparedness Month! Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare. #NatlPrep http://thndr.it/1lf73mC.”
2.  Once you click the Thunderclap message, you can choose how you will support it; for instance, if you plan to share the message on Twitter, you can click the “support with TWITTER” button.
3. After you select how you will share the Thunderclap message, you will have the opportunity to customize it (i.e. add #PrepareAthon at the end of the message).
4. Next, you will have the opportunity to schedule the message by selecting the “Add my Support” button.
5. Finally, you will be prompted to log in to the social media account (i.e. Twitter, Facebook) you chose use to share the Thunderclap message. Once you enter your accounts credentials, you will select“Authorize App.”

Check out other ways, you can get active on social media for NPM by visiting www.ready.gov/september. There you will find the NPM 2014 Digital Engagement Toolkit filled with tweets and Facebook messages to promote NPM and its weekly themes.

Citizen Corps Partner Programs Unite! #OKready #OKstrong #AltusOK

The Program Offices of the National Citizen Corps Partner Programs are pleased to announce a can’t-miss event! On August 28 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. (EDT), for the first time ever, we will be hosting a joint webinar. In addition to updates on all six programs, we will also be discussing ongoing collaboration and communications efforts, as well as online resources for local programs, chapters, and organizations, and promising practices. We will also be taking questions following the webinar. We hope that this presentation will mark the beginning of a renewed commitment to working together with one another’s programs, and that you will be able to join us next Thursday!

Date/Time

• August 28, 2014
• 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)/12:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

Join the Webinar

• Adobe Connect Registration Web Link: bit.ly/VD5VNq
• Please register for the event.  Be sure to test your Adobe Connect connection prior to the meeting by clicking here.
• This webinar will offer closed captioning.

Presenters include representatives from:

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Fire Corps
• National Neighborhood Watch
• Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
• Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS)
• Citizen Corps 

Don’t be Left in the Dark #AltusOK #OKready

Blackouts are always a possibility, even when severe storms or other disasters haven't found their way into your area, and power outages are not uncommon during the summer months.  Here are a few helpful tips on what you can do before and during a blackout:

• Make sure you have an emergency toolkit and a family communications plan! Your toolkit should contain basic short-term survival materials, like bottled water and non-perishable goods.
• Tape the refrigerator and freezer door to prevent opening and keep your perishable food fresh for as long as possible. Throw away any food that has been exposed to 40° F temperatures for more than two hours.
• If the blackout isn't storm related, make use of this time outdoors with family and friends!
• Keep non-electrical entertainment on hand, such as board games and charades to make time pass more quickly (this is especially helpful with children).
• Make sure to keep a camp stove and a stockpile of flashlights handy in case the blackout runs longer than expected.
• Be prepared for extended outages and keep a full tank of gas and a full cellphone battery.
• Maintain a positive attitude! This is essential in any emergency situation. 

For more information on how to prepare for blackouts, you can visit the American Red Cross, and also check out these other useful blackout tips!

Thanks to FEMA for this information.

What can you learn from a movie? #OKready #Prepared2014 #AltusOK

Into the Storm is a popular movie now showing in the Altus Area.

From an emergency management standpoint, there are some educational moments in the movie.

1.  During a large disaster, traditional responders, i.e. Police, Fire, Emergency Medical, are overwhelmed.  If there's only one fire truck for 50 fires, for example, your closest help may be your neighbor.  This played out in real life during Hurricane Iselle when folks noted the sound of sirens was replaced, almost overnight, by the sound of chain saws.

If your neighbor or classmate has a mother who was a nurse and they paid attention, that's magnificent.  Otherwise, you AND your neighbor should take Community Emergency Response Team training so you can help one another.  A First Aid and CPR class from the American Red Cross.

2.  Communications will fail.  This was portrayed time and time and time again in the movie.  The movie, however, did not show how Amateur Radio could have helped.  When the cell phone towers crumple from the storm or become overloaded with use from people who really did have foresight to have multiple ways to get their batteries charged, amateur radio operators will be able to talk to one another.  

Check out a local club and study materials from the American Radio Relay League.

There was NO mention of SMS text messaging in the movie.  It seems that the text side of cellular service is less congested in disasters.  Those messages may go through when a phone call can't.

Do you know how to text?

3.  Would you really evacuate a school in school buses and then evacuate those students into a storm drain?  Schools are getting better and better at the severe weather game.  A better plan would have been to be weather aware and adjust events to days when the killer of all tornadoes is not on the table.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers templates and training for school districts nationwide.  It's free.  Your taxdollars are working here.

How is your school, daycare, church applying FEMA information?  What is their plan?

What did you learn from the movie?  What will you do different because of the thinking it caused?

Calling All Faith-Based and Community Organizations #AltusOK #OKchurch

The White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships, the Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the Small Business Administration Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, August 19 at 3:00PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)  to share information about local, state  and national preparedness resources. In addition, subject matter experts will provide information on preparedness activities you can host in your community.  Presentations will:

• Explain how faith-based and community-based organizations can engage in National Preparedness Month 2014;
• Offer ideas to take part in National PrepareAthon! Day activities; and
• Highlight smart engagement practices at the state and local level between faith-based and community leaders as well as emergency managers.

With National Preparedness Month and the next National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30 around the corner, it is a perfect time to start your preparedness planning.  Register for this webinar today!

WHEN IS THE WEBINAR?    

• August 19, 2014 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)/12:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time
• Note: Please note that captioning will be provided during the webinar.

HOW DO I JOIN THE WEBINAR?

• Adobe Connect Web Link: https://icpd.adobeconnect.com/faithtoolsa/event/registration.html
• Please sign in as a guest.  Be sure to test your Adobe Connect connection prior to the meeting by clicking here.

PRESENTERS

•  Georgia Emergency Management Agency
•  County of Los Angeles Office of Emergency Management
• Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department’s Office of Emergency Management
• Small Business Administration Center for Faith-based & Community Initiatives
• Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships

What is in your Back-to-School #OKready kit?

Preparedness Backpack

School bells are ringing for many students across the nation. As your child heads back to class, are they ready for emergency situations that can arise?  Prepare yourself and children now to be disaster-ready throughout the school year.  In addition to keeping your emergency contact information up-to-date at your child’s school, follow these steps:

• Find out where children will be taken if they have to evacuate the school;
• Ask if they store enough food, water and other supplies in case they have to “shelter-in-place;”
• Designate a friend or relative to pick up your children in an emergency and make sure the school knows who that person is; and
• Ask how they will communicate with families during a crisis.

Remember, back-to-school preparedness means more than buying notebooks and pencils!  Visit the new Ready Kids site for valuable tools to help kids, parents and teachers prepare for emergencies.

Follow #AltusOK on Twitter to get other information ... http://twubs.com/AltusOK

Better Safe than Sorry!

In the event of a natural disaster, do you know your local evacuation routes? Have you practiced what to do in an emergency at home? Do you know how to find the emergency-broadcasting channel on the radio? Do you have a battery-operated radio? If you answered anything other than YES! to any of these questions, then the time to get prepared is now!

One of the best ways you can prepare is by knowing what hazards are common to your region. Do you live in a coastal community, a flood plain, an earthquake zone or a tornado alley? It's important to know your local hazards and to always have a plan. There are many ways America’s PrepareAthon! recommends to get prepared:

• Get an emergency preparedness app on your smartphone;
• Have a family communication plan; and
• Build an emergency supply kit!

Additionally, with America’s PrepareAthon! you can become part of the National Preparedness Community to connect with emergency preparedness peers and will receive new preparedness information on a regular basis. It’s simple to join! Visit the American’s PrepareAthon! new user’s registration page to join the community. Currently, there are 17 Communities of Practice including, but not limited to, Faith Based Organizations, Private Sector, First Responders, K-12 Schools and Military.

Thanks to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for this information.

Rain Barrels in #AltusOK

Altus --- "People in Jackson County are thirsty for rain barrels," said Lloyd Colston, Emergency Manager for the City, after the partnership with Coca-Cola to give away 100 rain barrels to Jackson County residents.

The 100 free barrels that were available were distributed in a very short time.

"Obviously, had there been 250 more barrels, the volunteers could have moved them," said Wayne Cain, Jackson County Emergency Management director.

People have been asking where to buy barrels, said Colston.  As well as recommending local stores such as Atwoods and Fox Lumber, two online vendors are:

Coca-Cola and local emergency
management volunteers distributed
100 rain barrels to residents of
Jackson County Tuesday.

*  The Rain Barrel Depot (404) 829-2647 therainbarreldepot.com

*  UpCycle Products (815) 735-9583  http://www.upcycle-products.com/

"There may be future availability for another Coca-Cola barrel project," said Colston, "but I encourage people who NEED a rain barrel to obtain one from the vendor of their choice."

Thanks to Elizabeth Gray, Altus City Administrator, who developed the idea of obtaining rain barrels, as well as the Coca-Cola Company for providing the RainRecycle Kits with their free barrels.

For more information about emergency management, please call Cain at (580) 482-0229 or Colston at (580) 481-2260 or visit http://altusem.blogspot.com on the Internet.


Additional Rain Barrel information 

ow.ly/d/2nhW ow.ly/d/2nhX