Your #AltusOK April Climate data from @OKMesonet

Shown as April 2016
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
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	Apr. Averages High Temp 77 F Low Temp 48 F Avg Temp 62 F Precip 2.36" Snow 0.1"			1 T Avgs: 73/42 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 98 (1946) Low T 27* (1948) Precip 0.98 (2000)	2 T Avgs: 74/44 Sig Prcp Freq: 10% Extremes: High T 91 (1913) Low T 22 (1936) Precip 1.13 (1919)
3 T Avgs: 74/44 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 97 (1950) Low T 23* (1936) Precip 1.22 (1957)	4 T Avgs: 73/43 Sig Prcp Freq: 3% Extremes: High T 95 (1943) Low T 26 (1920) Precip 0.66 (1997)	5 T Avgs: 73/43 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 94 (1954) Low T 26* (1920) Precip 1.51 (1921)	6 T Avgs: 73/43 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 99 (1954) Low T 23 (1971) Precip 0.71 (1940) Snow trace (1939)	7 T Avgs: 75/44 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 96 (1972) Low T 23 (2009) Precip 1.12 (1915)	8 T Avgs: 72/44 Sig Prcp Freq: 10% Extremes: High T 99 (1963) Low T 25 (1938) Precip 1.50 (1942) Snow 6.0 (1938)	9 T Avgs: 73/43 Sig Prcp Freq: 10% Extremes: High T 93 (1963) Low T 24 (2003) Precip 1.45 (1942)
10 T Avgs: 74/45 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 98 (1963) Low T 26 (1973) Precip 2.14 (2008)	11 T Avgs: 74/45 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 99 (1972) Low T 27 (1989) Precip 2.22 (1994)	12 T Avgs: 74/45 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 105 (1972) Low T 26* (1940) Precip 0.96 (1967) Snow trace (1940)	13 T Avgs: 74/45 Sig Prcp Freq: 18% Extremes: High T 98 (1936) Low T 25 (1957) Precip 0.60 (1973)	14 T Avgs: 77/47 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 96 (1936) Low T 29 (1980) Precip 2.26 (1916)	15 T Avgs: 78/47 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 100 (2006) Low T 27* (1928) Precip 1.96 (1945)	16 T Avgs: 78/48 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 98 (1913) Low T 34 (1945) Precip 1.50 (1976)
17 T Avgs: 79/49 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 101* (1955) Low T 28 (1921) Precip 2.34 (1995)	18 T Avgs: 78/50 Sig Prcp Freq: 18% Extremes: High T 101 (1925) Low T 31 (1921) Precip 2.20 (1917)	19 T Avgs: 78/50 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 95 (1987) Low T 32* (1939) Precip 1.91 (2003)	20 T Avgs: 78/49 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 99 (1925) Low T 32 (1953) Precip 1.61 (1952)	21 T Avgs: 78/50 Sig Prcp Freq: 13% Extremes: High T 97* (1925) Low T 34 (1918) Precip 1.82 (1957)	22 T Avgs: 79/51 Sig Prcp Freq: 13% Extremes: High T 98 (1955) Low T 31 (1931) Precip 1.68 (1952)	23 T Avgs: 79/52 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 101 (1989) Low T 34 (1996) Precip 1.05 (1957)
24 T Avgs: 79/51 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 98 (1996) Low T 34 (1968) Precip 2.14 (1925)	25 T Avgs: 79/51 Sig Prcp Freq: 16% Extremes: High T 96* (1967) Low T 39 (1995) Precip 1.93 (1997)	26 T Avgs: 78/51 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 95* (1956) Low T 38 (1945) Precip 1.63 (1928)	27 T Avgs: 79/51 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 96 (1955) Low T 35 (1920) Precip 1.50 (1985)	28 T Avgs: 77/50 Sig Prcp Freq: 16% Extremes: High T 94 (1927) Low T 36 (2008) Precip 2.30 (1940)	29 T Avgs: 77/53 Sig Prcp Freq: 20% Extremes: High T 98 (1936) Low T 39 (1968) Precip 4.06 (2009)	30 T Avgs: 79/52 Sig Prcp Freq: 21% Extremes: High T 95 (1947) Low T 36* (1984) Precip 1.35 (1974)

Preparing Your Car for an Emergency When Traveling Long Distances #AltusOK #OKready #OKstrong

Are you prepared for a sudden emergency when traveling? Is your car fit for long trips no matter the natural disaster?

You can avoid many dangerous weather problems by planning ahead. Plan long trips carefully, listening to the radio or television for the latest weather forecasts and road conditions. You can also download the FEMA mobile application to receive severe weather alerts for up to five locations across the U.S.  

If bad weather is forecasted, drive only if necessary. Additionally, have a mechanic check the following items on your car:

• Antifreeze levels to ensure they are sufficient enough to avoid freezing;
• The wear on your vehicle’s brakes and the brake fluid level; and
• Adequate tire tread.

Plus, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car in case of an emergency. 

March is Red Cross Month @RedCross @FEMA

Red Cross Month provides an opportunity to honor and celebrate the everyday heroes who help the organization fulfill its mission – to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. 

Opportunities to be a “hero” include volunteering for a worthy cause, making a donation to a charity, donating blood, or taking a safety class.  

The American Red Cross offers safety training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and even how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Courses are available across the nation. Find a Red Cross safety course closest to you.

You can also volunteer for your local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Volunteers assist others in their community following a disaster when professional responders are not immediately available to help. Find a local CERT near you.

Learn more about Red Cross Month and how you can help support your community. 

Twitter Chat: Debunking Preparedness Myths #SafetyFacts

Have you ever heard a preparedness myth like, “In an emergency, only first responders need to know what to do” or during an earthquake, “Stand in the doorway to protect yourself”?

America’s PrepareAthon! will host a Twitter chat, using its Twitter handle –@PrepareAthon, on Wednesday, March 30 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Emergency professionals across the country will discuss common preparedness myths, provide facts on preparing for and staying safe during emergencies.

To follow the Twitter chat use #SafetyFacts.

Helpful Reminders: FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards

Are you submitting an application for the 2016 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards? If so, we want to highlight a few reminders as you prepare your application, which can now be completed online:   Read the Awards Application Guidance prior to starting your application; it provides the application instructions. You’re ineligible for an award if you won a 2015 Individual and Community Preparedness Award. However, 2015 honorable mention winners are welcome to apply. Apply for up to two award categories, but only submit oneapplication package (including one description of achievement). Complete the Awards Application Form and Checklist. The Application Form also includes a “Description of Achievement,” which should be 2-5 pages in length, using size 12 Arial font. Write the name of the individual or organization name in the “Nominee Name” field of the application, exactly as you want it to appear on the awards certificate. Save your Application Form using the required file name format, Nominee Name –Category Code (1)–Category Code (2). Submit an application for achievements occurring between January 1, 2015 and March 28, 2016. Email your Application Form and supporting materials to citizencorps@fema.dhs.gov with the subject line: 2016 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Award Application, by Monday, March 28 11:59 p.m. EDT. Apply today! The awards are a great way to highlight all of the work you did to make your community safer, better prepared, and more resilient.  If you have questions about the awards, take a look at the list of FAQs for more information.

Are you ready for an #OKflood around #AltusOK?

Getting Prepared for a Flood

There are many easy and affordable ways for individuals, families, and communities to take action to be prepared for a flood emergency.  America’s PrepareAthon! How to Prepare for a Flood offers recommendations to help you protect your loved ones and valuables: Sign up for local alerts and warnings, download apps, and/or check access for wireless emergency alerts; Create and test your family emergency communication plan; Assemble or update emergency supplies; Conduct a drill to practice emergency response actions; and Participate in a preparedness discussion, training, or class (FEMA offers a Citizen Preparedness Course). When people prepare and practice for an emergency event such as a flood, it can make a real difference in their ability to take an immediate and well-informed action. Get started by accessing flood resources on America’s PrepareAthon! website.

Is your business open during disasters? #AltusOK

Small Business: Preparing for Spring Weather Risks Webinar

Join the U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery on Tuesday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m. EDT for a free webinar on best practices to prepare for spring weather threats. There are many inexpensive, efficient steps you can take now to make sure your company, clients and employees are safe in the months to come.

Title: Small Business: Preparing for Severe Spring Weather
Date: Tuesday, March 15
Time: 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. EDT

These preparedness tips are based on real-life recovery experiences from business owners. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

The SBA partners with Agility to offer business continuity strategies through its “Prepare My Business” website. Visit http://www.preparemybusiness.org/ to access previous webinars and for additional preparedness tips.

The SBA provides disaster recovery assistance in the form of low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

Fire Safety for Older Adults #OKfire #AltusOK

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), older adults – ages 65 and older – are more likely to be injured during a fire. It is important that older adults and their caregivers take steps to protect themselves from a fire in their home. USFA has safety recommendations for older adults and their caregivers, which may include: Have a smoke alarm that works for you and the functional needs that you have.  For example, many smoke alarms have lower decibel ranges for those who are hard of hearing. Others may have smoke alarms with strobes or separate bed shaker. There are also smoke alarms with long-lasting batteries for someone with a mobility disability or vision loss. Have conversations with household members, caregivers and friends about your fire safety plan.  Develop and test an escape plan that works for you and your household if you live in a single family home.  If you live in multi-level housing such as an apartment or high-rise building, know your evacuation plan. Take in consideration any additional items you may need to take with you quickly. For example, keep any devices such as wheelchairs, canes, eyeglasses and hearing aids in a consistent place so you can get out quickly; For more information about how to protect older adults in your family or community, visit the USFA website.

National Consumer Protection Week is March 6-12 #AltusOK

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Please add contact@midfirst.com to your address book to ensure our emails reach your inbox. March 6-12, 2016, is National Consumer Protection Week, which means it's time to revisit the precautions you're taking in both your digital and non-digital life to keep your personal information safe. The average number of U.S. identity fraud victims annually is over 12 million.* Help keep your identity safe by being S.M.A.R.T. SHRED personal information. Identity thieves are known to go "dumpster diving" to find papers with personal information. Shredding papers that contain your name, address, Social Security number, bank account, or other personal information helps keep it safe. MAKE sure you have updated anti-virus software. Viruses and malware are common ways for identity thieves to obtain personal information stored on your computer. AVOID disclosing personal information on social media. Social media is great for keeping our friends informed, but identity thieves can use that information to piece together your identity. REPORT any unsolicited emails that are suspicious. Don't download or click on links that ask you for personal information. These fraudulent emails are called "phishing" scams. Help shut them down by reporting to FTCComplaintAssistant.gov. THINK before you shop. Make sure you shop online only at reputable websites. Look for websites that begin with https://, which indicates a secure connection. For more information about protecting your identity, visit midfirst.com/information-security or view our short tutorial at moneymoments.com/identity-theft *U.S. Department of Justice, Javalin Strategy & Research.

Winning with Wildfire Preparation #OKfire #AltusOK

For National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, gather your family and friends together to create a wildfire preparedness project in your community, and win with wildfire preparation – and possibly a funding award. State Farm is offering funding awards of $500 for wildfire preparedness projects.

As part of National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, America’s PrepareAthon! is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA) to encourage all to host a wildfire preparedness project in their communities for the wildfire preparedness day – occurring on Saturday, May 7. State Farm will provide the funding award for 125 wildfire projects nationwide.

To be considered for the award, apply by Sunday, February 28. Include a brief description of the project you or your group will complete for the National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. Any project that brings people together to take action and be prepared for wildfire counts. Some activities could include:

• Remove excess pine needles or downed tree limbs;
• Collaborate with your neighbors to develop an evacuation plan;
• Build pet evacuation kits and donate them to local animal shelters for use during disasters; and
• Help elderly neighbors put emergency contacts in their phone.

Get family and friends to vote for your project as a way to demonstrate local support for what you’re doing. Activities can be coordinated by anyone (individuals, small group, an entire neighborhood, or community-based organization) working to reduce wildfire risk and advance general wildfire preparedness, or minimize post-fire impacts from a recent wildfire.

You can find additional activities and the official rules on the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day section of the NFPA website. There’s additional wildfire information and preparedness resources on America’s PrepareAthon!