Emergency Management News

Monday, February 29, 2016

Your #AltusOK March weather information from @OKMesonet

Shown as March 2016
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
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)
Mar. Averages
High Temp67 F
Low Temp38 F
Avg Temp53 F
Precip1.55"
Snow0.7"

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Do you have what it takes to be a Weather Ready Nation Ambassador? #WRN #Skywarn

The WeatherReady Nation (WRN) Ambassador initiative is an NWS effort to formally recognize our partners who are working with us to help improve the readiness, responsiveness, and overall resilience of people in our area against all the extreme weather that we experience.

The duties of a WRN Ambassador are pretty much what most of you do anyway - keep in touch with NWS Norman(maintain current point-of-contact and contact information), use NWS-generated information such as preparedness messages, and look for opportunities to work together on local preparedness events.

Any organization across all levels of government, businesses large and small, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, and academia can become a WRN Ambassador. Here are just a few examples of potential WeatherReady Nation Ambassadors in our area:

- city/county emergency management 
- city/county/state law enforcement
- city/county government
- fire departments and EMS
- tribes
- hospitals and medical facilities
- insurance agents/companies
- technology centers
- universities and colleges
- K-12 schools or school districts, public or private
- malls, stores, businesses
- TV and radio stations
- Skywarn storm spotter groups
- amateur radio clubs, ARES, RACES
- volunteer organizations, non-profit organizations
- faith-based organizations
- state government agencies
- zoos, amusement parks, recreational centers
- LEPC's
- military installations
- electric cooperatives, energy companies
- etc

The application process is quick and easy. Here's a link to the application, and here's a link to an FAQ list that will hopefully answer any questions you have about the program.

Thanks for your consideration and let me know if you have any questions!

Rick


Rick Smith - Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service - Norman Forecast Office
120 David L. Boren Blvd., Suite 2400
Norman, OK 73072 

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Portable Fireplaces: Tips for Staying Cozy and Safe #AltusOK

Portable fuel-burning fireplaces have become a popular way for people to heat their homes during winter months. However, if not used properly, these devices can be dangerous and pose a serious fire hazard.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February. Learn how to “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires.” Before you snuggle up to a portable fireplace, keep these NFPA safety tips in mind:
  • Make sure the fireplace has an Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) listing. This ensures the product has been tested for safety;
  • Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely; 
  • Keep the area where you're using the fireplace well ventilated;
  • Do not use the fireplace in sleeping areas; and
  • Light the fireplace using a utility lighter or long match.

As with all heating equipment, space is important! Create a “safe zone” around the device by keeping children, pets, and anything that can burn at least three feet away.
To find out more information and protection tips on portable fireplaces, go to the NFPA website. 

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

How will El Nino impact you? #ELNino #ClimateChange #WRN

The United States experiences extreme and dangerous weather, and this winter, parts of the U.S. face a particularly severe threat. Forecasts are showing a soon-to-peak El Niño that could deliver drenching conditions to California and throughout the South. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed fact sheets on El Niño available at NOAA El Niño Impacts by region and the Winter Outlook is available at NOAA El Niño Winter Outlook. These predicted conditions come with an enhanced flood threat and an increase in tornado activity through the spring.

For the next several months, many areas in the United States are at an increased flood risk from El Niño as a direct result of drought and wildfires. Disasters don’t always occur when families are together in one place. Now is the time to put together a family communication plan and talk with your family about ways to contact each other during an emergency, and designate a safe meeting spot. You can also plan ahead by knowing official evacuation routes, and keeping important papers in a safe, waterproof place. Additional tips and resources on how to stay safe and prepare are available at www.ready.gov.

More information is available about El Niño at www.fema.gov/el-Niño. The tab labeled Additional Resourcesinclude links to resources from various federal agencies including NOAA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of the Interior, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Here are some key federal agency links:
NOAA
FEMA
 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Winter Weather Mistakes to Avoid #OKwx #AltusOK #WRN

You may have to take extra precautions to keep your family safe or to prevent property damage. The Weather Channel highlights 22 things to avoid as you prepare for winter, including:

  • Failing to Clean the Gutters Before Freezing Weather Arrives.Cleaning gutters is important when protecting and preparing your home for the winter months. Gutters help keep icicles from forming along the roofline. Icicles may damage shingles, which can cause water to leak into your home. 
  • Going to Bed Before Heating Sources Have Cooled. Before you go to bed or leave the house, ensure that space heaters have cooled and are powered off.  If you have built a fire in the fireplace, be sure that the embers are no longer burning.
  • Forgetting to Develop a Fire Escape Plan.  According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the risk of home fires increases with the use of alternative heating sources, so it's important to develop and rehearse an escape plan.
To see the full list of winter weather don’ts, visit the Weather Channel website.

Weather Safety from @NWSNorman coming to #AltusOK #Skywarn #WRN

The National Weather Service Office in Norman is presenting Skywarn information to area residents February 9 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of Altus City Hall, according to area emergency management officials.

The training is free.  The public is encouraged to attend, according to Steve Grayson, KE5BPL, the Altus Skywarn Association president.

"This is NOT a storm chaser program," said Wayne Cain, Jackson County Emergency Management director.  "This is information for the public to learn what to report, how to report it, and to whom to report it."

To volunteer as a “community storm spotter” area residents should visit http://bit.ly/1QxDhF9 to obtain additional information, according to Lloyd Colston, City of Altus Emergency Management director.

For more information about the Norman Office, http://weather.gov/norman is the link while http://altusem.blogspot.com is the link for local emergency management information.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Would @FEMA really predict #AltusOK area weather? #WRN #Skywarn @OUNwcm @NWSNorman

Rumor has it that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has predicted a terrible storm for February 20.  

FEMA does not predict the weather.  The National Weather Service office in Norman forecasts the weather for the area.

IF one would want to know what FEMA is saying, subscribe to an email list.  It's a daily update for all across the USA.   .  

Weather Ready Nation folks rely on reliable sources, rather than rumor, to get the facts.  Speaking of Weather Ready Nation, the program turned two this week.  

Are you a Weather Ready Nation Ambassador?