JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
A large storm system, spawning multiple tornadoes, recently descended upon the Midwest, killing two and leaving 16 in critical condition in the town of Pilger, Neb. All reports indicate the storm is on the move towards the east coast of the United States.
Atlantic hurricane season officially kicked off on June 1. While awareness of hurricane indicators and overall preparedness is a must during the season, residents of the Joint Base Langley-Eustis communities should also be alert to the possibility of tornadoes, thunderstorms and flooding .
According to the National Weather Service website, that same storm system that decimated Pilger is likely headed toward the Hampton Roads region, slated to arrive over the weekend. While tornadoes are not as likely in Virginia, they do occur.
"Unfortunately, this trend will persist as a quasi-stationary front will stretch from the central Plains eastward to the Mid-Atlantic region," according to the National Weather Service web site. "With the convective activity moving eastward, so too will the severe weather and flash flooding."
With summer storms moving into the peninsula, preparedness is key.
Ready.gov, a national website created with the goal of increasing the level of basic preparedness across the nation in the face of natural and man-made disasters, gives the following tips for tornado and flood survival:
· Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
· Listen to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio, commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
· Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.
· Look for the following danger signs:
- Dark, often greenish sky
- Large hail
- A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
- Loud roar, similar to a freight train.
- If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.
Flooding is more common risk, particularly following intense thunderstorms with heavy rain. Ready.gov provides a series of tips to be prepared in the case of a sudden flood.
Flood-hazard maps have been created to show the flood risk for your communities, which help determine the type of flood insurance coverage needed since standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding.
Take these steps to prepare for a flood:
· Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
· Avoid building in a floodplain.
· Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home if you live in an area that has a high flood risk.
· Consider installing "check valves" to prevent flood water from backing up into the home's drains.
· If feasible, construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering the building and seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, preparedness should be a year-round effort to ensure safety during the summer storm season. Several resources are available to track the weather, including web sites, television and mobile phone apps.
More information is available at www.weather.gov, www.ready.gov/prepared2014, and www.noaa.gov. Additionally, weather alerts are made available through www.jble.af.mil and the JBLE mobile phone app.
- Flood-hazard maps have been created to show the flood risk for your community, which helps determine the type of flood insurance coverage you will need since standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding. The lower the degree of risk, the lower the flood insurance premium.
In addition to having flood insurance, knowing following flood hazard terms will help you recognize and prepare for a flood.
To prepare for a flood, you should:
· Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
· Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
· Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home if you live in an area that has a high flood risk.
· Consider installing "check valves" to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.
· If feasible, construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering the building and seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, preparedness should be a year-round effort to ensure safety during the summer storm season. Several resources are available to track the weather, including web sites, television and mobile phone apps.
More information is available at www.weather.gov, www.ready.gov/prepared2014, and www.noaa.gov. Additionally, weather alerts are made available through www.jble.af.mil and the JBLE mobile phone app.