1. Hurricane, Severe Thunderstorms, Tornado, Tsunami

2. Hurricanes and Coastal Storms
CERT Basic Training
Hazards

3. Hurricanes and Coastal Storms
Violent areas of low pressure forming in tropics
Have winds of 75 mph or more
Accompanied by torrential rains
Coastal Storms
Typically form along East Coast
Produce similar damage to hurricanes
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Hurricane

4. Hurricane and Coastal Storm Risks
Strong winds and storm surge can:
Damage or destroy structures
Lift and move unstable structures and objects
Damage utility and sewage lines
Give rise to tornadoes
Make roads impassable
Disrupt communication lines
Cause coastal erosion
Cause floods
Threaten lives
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Hurricane

5. Saffir-Simpson Scale Measures wind speed Has five categories
I: mph
II: mph
III: mph
IV: mph
V: More than 155 mph
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Hurricane 4

6. Statistics 100 million Americans are at risk for hurricanes
Almost 14 million live in an area where winds greater than 125 mph have been recorded (i.e., tip of Florida to North Carolina coast)
More than 6 million live in storm surge areas
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Hurricane 5

7. Preparing for a Hurricane
Know risk and evacuation routes
Develop action plan
Secure needed supplies
Floodproof property
Create personal disaster supply kit for your family
Secure mobile homes
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Hurricane 6

8. Before a Hurricane Board up all windows and glass doors
Check batteries
Stock up on nonperishable food
Listen to EAS
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Hurricane 7

9. Stay or Go? If in evacuation zone, leave immediately
Determine where you will go
Leave as early as possible
If not in evacuation zone:
Follow sheltering guidelines
Determine safe room in home
Fortify house
Assist those with special needs
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Hurricane 8

10. During a Hurricane Stay indoors Stay away from flood waters
Be aware of the “eye”
Be alert for tornadoes
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Hurricane 9

11. After a Hurricane Do not reenter area until it is declared safe
Use flashlight to inspect for damage
Wear protective clothing, sunscreen, and bug repellant
Check on neighbors
If you use a generator, take safety precautions
Stay away from downed power lines
Turn off utilities, if necessary
Listen to EAS
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Hurricane 10

12. CERT Basic Training Hazards
Severe Thunderstorms
CERT Basic Training
Hazards

13. Emergency Alert System
What is the Emergency Alert System?
CERT Basic Training, Search and Rescue Operations

14. A Severe Thunderstorm …
Produces hail at least ¾ inch in diameter
Has winds of 58 miles per hour or higher
Produces a tornado
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Thunderstorms

15. Thunderstorm Risks Lightning Hail Downbursts and straight-line winds
Flash floods
Tornadoes
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Thunderstorms

16. Thunderstorm Preparedness
Understand the risk
Learn to make a small target
Pay attention to warnings
Check for hazards in your yard
Bring outdoor furniture inside
Remove dead or overhanging limbs
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Thunderstorms 15

17. During a Thunderstorm Things to avoid Water sources Telephone
Being outdoors
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Thunderstorms 16

18. If You Are Outdoors Get away from water sources
Seek shelter in substantial building
If necessary:
Take shelter in car or
Go to low-lying area and make small target
Avoid natural lightning rods
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Thunderstorms 17

19. CERT Basic Training Hazards
Tornadoes
CERT Basic Training
Hazards

20. A Tornado Is… Violently rotating column of air:
Extending between, and in contact with, cloud and earth’s surface
May be accompanied by winds in excess of 200 miles per hour
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tornadoes

21. Tornado Risks Rip trees apart Destroy buildings
Uproot structures and objects
Send debris and glass flying
Overturn cars and mobile homes
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tornadoes

22. Tornado Facts Occur in every state About 800 reported every year
About 180 people killed every year
Season runs March – August, but tornadoes can occur any time of year
Can occur any time of day but most likely to occur 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Annual damage can be hundreds of millions
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tornadoes 21

23. Fujita Wind-Damage Scale
Measures tornado strength
Six levels:
F0: mph, Light damage
F1: mph, Moderate damage
F2: mph, Considerable damage
F3: mph, Severe damage
F4: mph, Devastating damage
F5: mph, Incredible damage
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tornadoes 22

24. Tornado Preparedness Know the risk Identify potential shelter areas
Learn the community’s warning system
Conduct family tornado drills
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tornadoes 23

25. Tornado Warning Signs High winds Very large hail CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tornadoes 24

26. During a Tornado Keep windows and doors closed and stay away from them
Use shielding and protective clothing
Furniture
Blankets
Bike helmets
Listen to EAS or NOAA Weather Radio
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tornadoes 25

27. After a Tornado Avoid fallen power lines or broken utility lines
Stay out of damaged areas
Stay out of damaged buildings
Use a flashlight to look for damage
Turn off utilities
Reserve telephone for emergencies
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tornadoes 26

28. CERT Basic Training Hazards
Tsunamis
CERT Basic Training
Hazards

29. A Tsunami Is…
An ocean wave produced by underwater earthquakes or landslides
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tsunamis

30. Tsunami Risks Flooding Contamination of drinking water
Fires from ruptured tanks or gas lines
Loss of vital community infrastructure
Complete devastation of coastal areas
Death
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tsunamis

31. Tsunami Facts
24 tsunamis have caused damage in U.S. and territories during past 224 years
Wave height ranges: inches to 100+ feet
Tsunamis can travel upstream in coastal estuaries and rivers
Damaging waves as high as 60 feet extending inland from immediate coast
First wave of tsunami is usually not largest
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tsunamis 30

32. Tsunami Preparedness Know risk and “coastal clues”
Plan and practice evacuation routes
Discuss tsunamis with your family
Talk to your insurance agent
Use NOAA Weather Radio
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tsunamis 31

33. Tsunami Preparedness If strong, coastal earthquake occurs:
Drop, cover, and hold
When shaking stops, evacuate quickly to higher ground away from coast, up to two miles inland
Gather your family
Leave everything else behind
Avoid downed power lines, buildings, and bridges
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tsunamis 32

34. If a Warning is Issued If in tsunami risk area, evacuate immediately
Follow instructions issued by local authorities
Get to higher ground as far inland as possible
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or Coast Guard emergency frequency station
Return home only after local officials tell you that it is safe
If already out on ocean, be sure to get as far from coast as possible
CERT Basic Training
Unit 1: Tsunamis 33 33

35. CERT Basic Training, Search and Rescue Operations
Indian Ocean tsunami
December 26, 2004
Undersea earthquake of 9.1
A series of large tsunamis up to 30 metres (100 ft) high were created by the underwater seismic activity.
Communities along the surrounding coasts of the Indian Ocean were seriously affected, and the tsunamis killed an estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries.
CERT Basic Training, Search and Rescue Operations

36. CERT Basic Training, Search and Rescue Operations
CERT Basic Training, Search and Rescue Operations