Disaster Prep

First Big Storm of the Season – You Prepared?

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It’s time for our first big storm. And you know what that means — wind and rain!
 
Here’s the alert from the National Weather Service
 
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a high wind warning, which is in eeffect from 8pm this evening to 6am Friday. Peak wind speeds are expected from late this evening through the overnight hours. Winds – south and southeast – from 25-35mph, with gusts from 45-50mph.
This will be the first wind even of this magnitude this season. Impacts such as tree damage are typically greater for an event of this magnitude when it is the first event of the season. Prepare for tree damage and scattered power outages.
 
So, make your preparations soonest:
 
– remove anything from your yards that might blow around
– make sure you know where your flashlights are, and that they work
– if you have a generator, make sure it is working and you have a fresh supply of gas (stored gas should be treated with a gas stabilizer so it doesn’t go ‘bad’)
– Stay home if possible.
– tie down small children and pets that are left outside (well, that’s not exactly right; I was just seeing if you were paying attention)
 
Check on your neighbors, especially during a power outage.
 
To get text alerts and emails from the Jefferson County Emergency operations (recommended), go to www.jeffcoeoc.org and click on the phone icon.
 
Stay safe out there !!

Proper Usage of the HELP and OK Signs

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(This is the first in a series of Disaster Preparedness Helpful Hints, brought to you by the Timberton Disaster Preparation Committee)

There is a proper way to use the HELP (red) and OK (green) window signs – they are only to be used in an emergency event, not displayed all the time in your front window. An “emergency event” can be an extended power outage, earthquake, windstorm, or other large-scale disaster. It is not an individual emergency, such as a medical problem. The emergency responders during these events could include your neighborhood emergency response team, other neighbors, or emergency personnel like firefighters or medical responders.

During an emergency event, the signs mean:

  • OK = it is an emergency situation, but all is well with you (you do not need any rescue help)
  • HELP = it is an emergency situation, and you need the responders to help.

Any other time, the signs should not be displayed.

The signs are not used for individual emergencies, like a medical event or other issue that needs a 911 call. Those responders will not pay attention to the signs.

Here’s some hints:

  • Only put up the sign during an emergency event.
  • Do not leave the sign in the window during other times.
  • When emergency responders see the OK sign during an emergency event, it means that they don’t need to help you, so they will continue to the next home.
  • Only display the OK sign during an emergency if all is OK with you. If things are not OK, display the HELP sign so that the responders will come to your door.
  • If you need a sign, they will be available from Tom Carter at the TVHA Annual Meeting in June. Block Captains also have a supply for new homeowners.

If you have any questions, comment below, or send a message to the Board.