National Weather Service Columbia, South Carolina

Thunderstorms/Damaging Winds/Hail Lightning Tornado Flooding/Flash Flood Winter Weather Summertime Heat Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Fog NOAA Weather Radio Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS)

Courtesy Andrew Barbitta Courtesy Augusta Chronicle Tornado Hail 1 inch in diameter or larger Wind gusts of 58 mph or greater (50 kts)

If you are inside: Stay away from windows Do not talk on the phone Do not take a bath or shower If you hear a warning or see a tornado Go to an interior room on the lowest floor of your house right away! Do not park vehicles under trees. Large branches falling can crush the cab. If you are outside: Go inside right away! Stay inside for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder Before the Storm... Know your risk, Have a plan, Be prepared and Practice and maintain your plan!

NO PLACE is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!! If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you Get indoors and stay there until 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder Stay off “corded” phones, computers and other corded electrical devices Stay away from windows, doors and stay off porches Immediately get off lakes, beaches, golf courses Never shelter under a tree Nearly 1800 thunderstorms are occurring at any time around the world. That's nearly 16 million a year! Nearly 1800 thunderstorms are occurring at any time around the world. That's nearly 16 million a year!

Have a plan for a “safe room” or place to meet Ideal places – basement, interior room on the lowest floor of home (no windows) or a storm cellar If you have access to a sturdy shelter (neighbors – brick/stick built house), then leave your mobile home

Never try to drive through a water covered or flooded roadway Move to higher ground if necessary Don’t let children play near storm drains Be especially cautious at night, it’s harder to recognize flooding Just 6 inches of fast moving water can knock over an adult inches can carry away most vehicles.

Injuries Due To Ice and Snow: -About 70% result from vehicle accidents -About 25% occur in people caught out in a storm -Most happen to males over 40 years old Heavy accumulations of ice can bring down trees and topple utility poles and communication towers Can disrupt communications and power for days while utility companies repair extensive damage Even small accumulations can be extremely dangerous to motorists and pedestrians Bridges and overpasses are particularly dangerous because they freeze before other surfaces

Insulate exposed pipes and allow at least one faucet to drip a little to avoid freezing Even a trickle of water helps prevent pipes from freezing. Keep heating devices away from flammable materials, and never leave them unattended. Dress accordingly and keep warm with plenty of clothing layers, gloves, hats, scarves, blankets. Remember to check on those whom are elderly, disabled, and young. If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home set to a temperature no lower than 55 o F.

 Drink plenty of water. Your body needs water to keep cool.  Wear sunscreen. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.  Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day.  Dress for summer. Lightweight, light colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.  Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat.  Do not leave your children or pets alone inside automobiles. The temperature inside vehicles can climb rapidly and may exceed 100 degrees.

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are a threat within 48 hrs. Review your hurricane plans, keep informed and be ready to act if a warning is issued. Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hrs. Complete your storm preparations and leave the area if directed to do so by authorities. Hurricanes are strong storms that cause life and property threatening hazards such as: -Coastal and inland flooding -Damaging winds -Tornadoes Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane.

Inland Flooding from Hurricane Floyd ‘99Coastal Flooding from Hurricane Isabel ‘03 Damaging Winds from Hurricane Frances ‘04Tornado spawned by Hurricane Frances ‘04

SLOW DOWN Drive with lights on low beam Listen for traffic you cannot see Use wipers and defrosters as necessary for maximum visibility Do not pass lines of traffic Do not stop on a freeway or heavily traveled road Consider delaying your trip until the fog clears. Usually by late morning or during the afternoon, visibilities improve. What is fog? A cloud on the ground

What does the weather radio do? Broadcasts official warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Schools, hospitals and other public places, even your home, should have one Like a smoke detector, but for weather

Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) Alert Categories Presidential Imminent threat to life and property (e.g. tornado, flash flood hurricane warnings) AMBER Alert/child abduction Alert Message Content (only if located within alert area) What is happening Area affected Til time Recommended action Alert originator

CMAS Messages Originated by NWS Warning Type CMAS Message Tsunami Warning Tsunami danger on the coast. Go to high ground or move inland. Check local media. –NWS Tornado Warning Tornado Warning in this area til hh:mm tzT. Take shelter now. Check local media. –NWS Extreme Wind Warning Extreme Wind Warning this area til hh:mm tzT ddd. Take shelter. –NWS Flash Flood Warning Flash Flood Warning this area til hh:mm tzT. Avoid flooded areas. Check local media. -NWS Hurricane Warning Hurricane Warning this area til hh:mm tzT ddd. Check local media and authorities. -NWS Typhoon Warning Typhoon Warning this area til hh:mm tzT ddd. Check local media and authorities. -NWS Blizzard Warning Blizzard Warning this area til hh:mm tzT ddd. Prepare. Avoid Travel. Check media. -NWS Dust Storm Warning Dust Storm Warning in this area til hh:mm tzT ddd. Avoid travel. Check local media. -NWS tzT = timezone ddd= three letter abbreviation for day of the week *When new alert or correction issued or time/area extended*