April Climate Data is provided by @OKmesonet

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)

Are you Storm Ready?

Four Steps to Tornado Preparedness

Tornadoes develop so rapidly that little, if any, advance warning is possible. Every state has some risk of this hazard. Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Make sure you’re ready for a tornado with the How to Prepare for a Tornado Guide from Prepareathon  (formerly America’s PrepareAthon!) that explains how to protect yourself and details the steps to take now so that you can act quickly at a time when every second counts. Learn more tips from Ready.gov: Build an emergency kit. Make a family communications plan. Sign up for local emergency alerts and warnings. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.  Please enroll in the Alert Altus process offered free of charge by the City of Altus. Look for danger signs including: dark, often greenish sky; large hail; a large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating); and, a loud roar, similar to a freight train. If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately. For more information, watch the When the Storm Comes preparedness video and visit the Prepareathon Tornado page.

Sunday Open Streets coming March 26 from 11 am to 4 p.m.

Please come out and support OPEN STREETS!  

Jackson County Memorial Hospital will be doing Yard Domino's at booth #14

If you look on the map attached Jackson County Health Department is located at booth #13

 

The booth will be Building with FOAM BLOCKS – it will be easy.

 Encourage participants to be creative and have fun while playing.

 ·        This will be a fun day!  Invite your friends and family.

·        Remember to bring a bicycle if you want to  J

·        If other co-workers would like to come and help – we are also looking for help with the bike valet

·        Be sure and drop by the CARING VAN and say hello (booth # 17)

Look Before You Lock

Area emergency managers are calling on parents to "Look Before You Lock" your child in a car.

"There have already been two deaths in Florida this year," explained Lloyd Colston, Altus Emergency Management Director.

"It does not take much heat to cause a child to have heat stroke in a car," said Wayne Cain, Jackson County Emergency Management Director.

A YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWcgwBJGrnc shows how uncomfortable a car can be to a meteorologist in 90 degree outdoor heat.

Safety tips from http://www.kidsandcars.org/userfiles/dangers/heat-stroke-safety-tips.pdf include:

• Never leave children alone in or around cars; not even for a minute. 
• "Look Before You Lock" - Get in the habit of always opening the back door to check the back seat before leaving your vehicle. Make sure no child has been left behind. 
• Create a reminder to check the back seat. Put something you'll need like your cell phone, handbag, employee ID or brief case, etc., in the back seat so that you have to open the back door to retrieve that item every time you park. Keep a large stuffed animal in the child's car seat. When the child is placed in the car seat, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat. It's a visual reminder that the child is in the back seat. 
• Make sure you have a strict policy in place with your childcare provider about daycare drop-off. Everyone involved in the care of your child should always be aware of their whereabouts. If your child will not be attending daycare as scheduled, it is the parent's responsibility to call and inform the childcare provider. If your child does not show up as scheduled; and they have not received a call from the parent, the childcare provider pledges to contact you immediately to ensure the safety of your child. (this is very similar to the 'absence-line' used by most elementary, middle and high schools) 
• Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in driveways or garages. Ask home visitors, child care providers and neighbors to do the same.  Keep car keys and remote openers out of reach of children. 
• If a child goes missing, immediately check the inside passenger compartments and trunks of all vehicles in the area very carefully, even if they are locked. A child may lock the car doors after entering a vehicle on their own, but may not be able to unlock them. 
• If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. Call 911 immediately. If the child seems hot or sick, get them out of the vehicle as quickly as possible. 
• Be especially careful during busy times, schedule changes and periods of crisis or holidays. This is when many tragedies occur. 
• Use drive-thru services when available (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, etc.) and pay for gas at the pump.

This can happen to anyone, stated Colston.  From parents, to grandparents, to caregivers, no one is immune to this accident.  

He added these are the same tips to use for pets.

"Please follow the tips," said Cain, "so an accident does not become a tragedy."

Follow #LOOKB4ULock on Twitter and Facebook for more information. 

For more information about emergency management, visit http://altusem.blogspot.com.  Can can be reached at 5804820229 while 5804812260 is the number for Colston.

#SafePlaceSelfie coming to #OKwx April 3-6 #WRN

Do you know where your "safe place" is while you are at work, at home, or traveling?   In early April we will be launching a 4-day #safeplaceselfie campaign over social media to encourage everyone across the country to take the #1 preparedness action when extreme weather threatens.  Below are images we encourage our WRN Ambassadors to promote over the next month as we draw closer to April.  Participate using your organization social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) or even your personal accounts.  Below are some talking points that provide more details on how you and your organization can contribute. It is fun. It is free. And it will go a long way to building a Weather-Ready Nation!

#SafePlaceSelfie is a grass roots campaign as part of NOAA's Weather-Ready Nation to get individuals, businesses, and all organizations ready, responsive, and resilient to extreme weather events.  

Knowing your "safe place" when extreme weather threatens is the #1 preparedness action anyone can take.  To this end, a social media campaign will be launched the week of April 3, culminating in a TweetChat on Thursday, April 6.  

This action can be fun, is free, and doesn't require a lot of time commitment, but can open the door to greater preparedness actions (creating a family emergency plan, emergency kit, etc.)

Encourage other accounts on social media by tagging them and asking "Where is your safe place?"

Focus is broad across the spectrum of hazards, and not just tornadoes.  Hazards to consider: lightning, severe (tornadoes, high winds), extreme heat/cold, flooding, rip currents, wildfires, hurricanes, tsunamis...

And your safe place may be very different for the various hazards.  For instance, a car may be a safe place from lightning, but is a dangerous place during flash flooding.  

Get creative!  Is there a beach nearby or are locals planning vacations to warmer climates?  Help spread rip current awareness by focusing on where your safe place would be (hint: between the lifeguard flags).

Thank you.

And if you aren't already...

Follow us on Twitter @WRNAmbassadors

  

Spring Flooding Safety Tips #WRN #Skywarn

When spring hits, whether it’s “official” or feels like spring, many of us are eager to get out of the office and into the fresh air. However, too much rain or thawing snow after a long winter from mountains can bring severe flooding. Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States. Here are some things to keep in mind as the spring flood season draws near. Never drive or walk through flooded streets. It only takes six inches of moving water to sweep a person off their feet (and not in the romantic way) and 12 inches to move a car. Remember, if a street is flooded, Turn Around; Don’t Drown. Floods are expensive. A few inches of water in a 1,000-square foot home could cost more than $10,000 in repairs and replacement of personal possessions. Visits FEMA’s data visualization website to learn more about the costs and impacts of floods in your state Most insurance does not cover flood damage. Only flood insurance will cover the damage from floods. Speak with your insurance agent to learn more and remember flood insurance takes 30 days to take effect, so purchase now to protect your family! Talk with your family and make an emergency plan for you and your pets. No matter the disaster, it’s always a good idea to have emergency supplies ready at home, at work, and in the car. You can learn more about the dangers of flooding and find information about flood insurance at Ready.gov/floods and Floodsmart.gov. We also have prepared a Flood Safety Social Media Toolkit so you can share tips with your friends and family prepare at www.ready.gov/flood-toolkit.

Five Ways to Participate in Red Cross Month @RedCrossOK

Did you know that March is Red Cross Month? Every March, the American Red Cross recognizes our country’s everyday heroes who give their time to help people in need. In addition to supplying about 40 percent of our nation’s blood, the Red Cross relies on the heroic efforts of its workers and volunteers to provide shelter, food, and emotional support during emergencies and disasters. Here’s five ways you can become a hero for the Red Cross: Become a Red Cross volunteer. Lend a hand in your community. Give blood. Help a patient going through a hard time. Take a class. Gain information and skills to help out in an emergency. Make a plan. Get your family involved and develop a preparedness plan for emergencies. Make a financial donation. Your generosity will help people  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.

Apply to Join FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council @OKem #OKready

Youth across the Nation have the opportunity to make a difference and transform the resilience and preparedness of their communities and beyond. Students in the 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th grades who have engaged in community service or are interested in emergency preparedness, are encouraged to apply to serve on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Youth Preparedness Council. Formed in 2012, the Council engages members in local and national emergency preparedness projects. Members are selected to serve two-year terms. Members represent the youth perspective on emergency preparedness and share information with their communities. They also meet with FEMA on a regular basis to provide ongoing input on strategies, initiatives, and projects throughout the duration of their term. Adults working with youth or emergency management are encouraged to share the application with youth who might be interested in applying. Applicants must submit a completed application form, two letters of recommendation, and academic records. Applications are due March 31, 2017. For more information and to see the projects current members are working on, visit the Youth Preparedness Council website. To submit an application, visit the application website.

March Climate Data is supplied by @OKMesonet

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	1 T Avgs: 60/33 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 92 (2006) Low T 8 (1962) Precip 0.88 (1942) Snow 8.5 (1942)	2 T Avgs: 62/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 90 (1974) Low T 6 (1922) Precip 1.56 (1918) Snow 2.0 (1995)	3 T Avgs: 63/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 89 (1955) Low T 6 (1943) Precip 1.35 (1988) Snow 0.5 (1917)	4 T Avgs: 63/32 Sig Prcp Freq: 5% Extremes: High T 83 (1938) Low T 8 (2002) Precip 0.64 (1992)	5 T Avgs: 64/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 4% Extremes: High T 93 (1991) Low T 13 (2002) Precip 1.56 (2004) Snow 0.8 (1954)
6 T Avgs: 64/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 92 (2009) Low T 11 (1943) Precip 0.73 (1970) Snow 1.5 (1948)	7 T Avgs: 63/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 5% Extremes: High T 88 (2006) Low T 10 (1920) Precip 0.71 (1970) Snow trace (1995)	8 T Avgs: 63/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 83* (1925) Low T 10 (1967) Precip 1.25 (1919) Snow 3.8 (1919)	9 T Avgs: 65/35 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 89 (1955) Low T 14 (1996) Precip 0.57 (1994) Snow 1.3 (1915)	10 T Avgs: 66/36 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 91 (1955) Low T 14 (1932) Precip 1.48 (1973) Snow 0.5 (1948)	11 T Avgs: 66/38 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 95 (1967) Low T 19* (1932) Precip 2.80 (1990) Snow 2.5 (1948)	12 T Avgs: 66/38 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 95 (1989) Low T 18 (1998) Precip 0.80 (1929) Snow 4.5 (1958)
13 T Avgs: 66/37 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 95 (1916) Low T 8 (1948) Precip 0.88 (1922) Snow 3.6 (1924)	14 T Avgs: 68/36 Sig Prcp Freq: 6% Extremes: High T 91 (1971) Low T 19 (1954) Precip 1.50 (1982)	15 T Avgs: 67/39 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 88 (1932) Low T 16 (1947) Precip 1.10 (1981) Snow 2.0 (1947)	16 T Avgs: 66/37 Sig Prcp Freq: 7% Extremes: High T 85 (1916) Low T 21 (1956) Precip 2.42 (1998)	17 T Avgs: 69/38 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 94 (1989) Low T 22* (1928) Precip 2.35 (1961)	18 T Avgs: 68/39 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 92 (1916) Low T 11 (1923) Precip 1.39 (2008)	19 T Avgs: 67/39 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 93 (1994) Low T 20 (1965) Precip 1.73 (2006) Snow 2.5 (1924)
20 T Avgs: 69/38 Sig Prcp Freq: 13% Extremes: High T 92 (1916) Low T 10 (1965) Precip 1.50 (1985) Snow 2.0 (2010)	21 T Avgs: 69/38 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 98 (1997) Low T 20 (1955) Precip 1.25 (1921) Snow 1.0 (2010)	22 T Avgs: 70/40 Sig Prcp Freq: 7% Extremes: High T 95 (1997) Low T 18 (1914) Precip 1.68 (1935) Snow 0.9 (1955)	23 T Avgs: 71/40 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 90 (1929) Low T 20 (1952) Precip 3.22 (2000) Snow 0.5 (2006)	24 T Avgs: 71/41 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 91 (1954) Low T 23* (1965) Precip 1.26 (1920) Snow trace (1974)	25 T Avgs: 69/41 Sig Prcp Freq: 8% Extremes: High T 92 (1932) Low T 23* (1940) Precip 1.23 (1960) Snow trace (1965)	26 T Avgs: 69/40 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 95 (1956) Low T 18 (1955) Precip 1.51 (1929) Snow 1.0 (2001)
27 T Avgs: 70/40 Sig Prcp Freq: 16% Extremes: High T 103 (1971) Low T 15 (1931) Precip 1.80 (1929) Snow 2.0 (1931)	28 T Avgs: 72/42 Sig Prcp Freq: 22% Extremes: High T 100 (1971) Low T 20* (1931) Precip 1.40 (1938) Snow 6.0 (1937)	29 T Avgs: 69/41 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 96 (1967) Low T 14 (1944) Precip 1.10 (1926) Snow 3.0 (1944)	30 T Avgs: 69/41 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 91* (1917) Low T 21 (1987) Precip 1.41 (1993) Snow 2.0 (1926)	31 T Avgs: 72/41 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 97* (1940) Low T 24 (1926) Precip 0.95 (1916)	Mar. Averages High Temp 67 F Low Temp 38 F Avg Temp 53 F Precip 1.55" Snow 0.7"