Your Community

Emergency Preparedness

Guide Book

SEVERE STORMS

     A thunderstorm develops in an unstable atmosphere when warm moist air near the earth's surface rises quickly and cools.

     The moisture condenses to form rain droplets and dark thunder clouds called cumulonimbus clouds.

     These storms are often accompanied by hail, lightning, high winds, heavy rain and tornadoes.  Thunderstorms are usually over in an hour, although a series of thunderstorms can last for several hours.

Lightning

     To estimate how far away the lightning is, count the seconds between the flash of lightning and the thunderclap.  Each second is about 300 metres.

     If you count fewer than five seconds, take shelter immediately.  Lightning is near and you do not want to be the tallest object in the area.

At the office or house

• If indoors, stay there but away from windows, doors, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, sinks, bathtubs, appliances, metal pipes, telephones and other materials which conduct electricity.  (You can use a cellular phone.)

• Unplug radios and televisions.

• Do not go out to rescue laundry on the clothesline as it conducts electricity.

Outside

• Take shelter in a building or a depressed area such as a ditch or culvert but never under a tree.

• Do not ride bicycles, motorcycles or golf carts or use metal shovels, or golf clubs as they conduct electricity.

• If swimming or in a boat, get back to shore immediately.

• If caught in the open, do not lie flat but crouch in the leap frog position and lower your head.

• If you are in a car, stay there but pull away from trees that might fall on you.

Blizzards

     In Canada, blizzards are most common in the southern prairies, the maritimes and the eastern arctic.

     On average, the storms and cold winter kill more than 100 people every year.  That is more than the total number of people killed by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, lightning and extreme heat.

At Home

     If you live in a rural community located in one of the areas where blizzards are frequent, you may want to consider stocking up on heating fuel, ready-to-eat food as well as battery-powered flashlights and radios - and extra batteries.

• When a blizzard is forecast, leave your radio on.  If you are on a farm with livestock, bring the animals into the barn.  Make sure they have plenty of water and food.  You may also want to string a lifeline between your house and any out-buildings which you may have to go to during the storm.

• When a blizzard hits, stay indoors.  If you must go to the out-buildings, dress for the weather.  Outer clothing should be tightly woven and water-repellent.  The jacket should have a hood.  Wear mittens - they are better at keeping your hands warm than gloves.  Do not try to walk to another building unless you have a lifeline to guide you.

In your car

     As a rule, it is a good idea to keep your gas tank almost full during the winter and to have extra windshield washer fluid and anti-freeze on hand.

     You may want to put together an emergency kit.

     If you do not already have a cellular phone - and if they work in your area - you may want to consider having one in your car in case of emergencies.

     If you must travel during a snow storm, do so during the day and let someone know your route and arrival time.

     If your car gets stuck in a blizzard, remain calm and stay in your car.

     Keep fresh air in your car by opening the window slightly on the sheltered side.  You can run the car engine about 10 minutes every half hour if the exhaust system is working well.

     Beware of exhaust fumes and check the exhaust pipe periodically to make sure it is not blocked with snow.  (Remember, you can't smell potentially fatal carbon monoxide fumes.)

     Finally, to keep your hands and feet warm, exercise them periodically.

     In general, it is a good idea to keep moving to avoid falling asleep.  If you do try to shovel the snow from around your car avoid over-exerting yourself as shoveling and bitter cold can kill.

     Keep watch for traffic and searchers.