Don’t forget this weekend, Daylight Saving Time begins. We spring forward (turn the clock ahead 1 Hour) at 2:00 am Sunday morning, going from 1:59am to 3:00am in just 60 seconds. The closest thing to time-travel this side of the century!
Spring Has Arrived! (At Least Meteorologically Speaking)
March 1st marks the beginning of meteorological spring. Spring is a time of transition, when late-season snowstorms, early thunderstorms and overflowing rivers have each been known to visit Richland County and the surrounding areas.
Tornadoes, lightning, and floods – spring can be three months of danger that will imperil the unprepared. It roars in like a lion, rampaging across the United States throughout March, April and May. Spring hazards include:
- Severe Weather/Tornadoes
- Floods
- Lightning
Here are a few simple steps to help you be prepared in case severe weather springs into action in this transitioning season:
+ Know Your Risk
Check the weather every morning. It is a simple action that will ensure that you’re ready for the day’s weather. Don’t leave home without knowing the forecast.
+ Take Action!
Assemble an emergency supplies kit with 72 hours worth of food and water. In an emergency (such as after a tornado or some other hazard event), you may be stuck at home without electricity for three days or more. Make sure that you’re prepared. Also, ensure that everyone in your life knows how to stay in touch with an emergency communication plan. This plan lists meeting places and alternate ways of communicating in case of emergency.
+ Be A Force of Nature
Inspire others by sharing your weather-ready story on social media with the hashtag #SpringSafety. It can be a simple as posting a photo of your emergency supplies kit or letting your friends know how to reach you during an emergency. Together, we can build a Weather-Ready Nation, one that is ready for any extreme weather, water, or climate event.
+ SPRING HAZARDS
You are not powerless in the face of extreme weather and water events. Learn about the hazards most common to spring – and some that are threats year-round – and what you can do about them.
+ Severe Weather/Tornadoes
Spring is a time when severe weather and tornadoes are a threat for much of the Southeast and Great Plains. Since 2005, 49 states have come under a tornado warning; all 50 states have come under severe thunderstorm warnings; and lightning strikes occur in every state.What to Do: You may have only minutes to find shelter before a tornado strikes. Practice a family tornado drill at least once a year.
+ Floods
Due to snowmelt and heavy rain from thunderstorms, flooding is common across much of the U.S. in the spring. In May of last year, widespread flooding in Texas left 17 dead. Flash flooding is the number one killer associated with severe weather. A mere six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.What to Do: It’s simple: Turn Around Don’t Drown®. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.
+ Lightning
In 2015, there were 26 lightning fatalities – five in Florida alone. 62% of fatalities were men. Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Although most lightning occurs in the summer, people can be struck at any time of year.What to Do: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! No place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area.
Adapted from: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/spring_safety.html
Community Preparedness Survey
Richland County Emergency Management is seeking community input about preparedness and how to ensure our county could survive whatever may lie ahead. Please fill out this Community Preparedness Survey, or print off a copy and return to the Richland County Emergency Management. You can mail it to 181 W. Seminary Street, Richland Center, WI 53581 or fax it to 608-647-7151.
Storm Spotter
We’re one month away! Are you ready?
Richland County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service are partnering together to bring you storm spotter training class at the Richland Center Community Center (1050 N Orange Street) on March 14 from 6:30-8:30pm. This free training opportunity will feature training on recognizing severe weather and how to report it. This interactive multimedia presentation is given by a meteorologist, including various images and video loops from past storms in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
Richland County typically calls upon Pine Valley Repeaters ARES/RACES members to be dispatched to specified locations due to their abilities to communicate real-time information via radio. However, you are still encouraged to attend even if you are not a trained radio operator. Contact information will be provided so any trained spotter may call in and report severe weather from their location. As a trained spotter, you would be able to watch the weather in the comfort of your home, knowing you have the knowledge on how to recognize a significant weather event, to quickly and accurately report it, to keep your family and neighbors safe.
This short training is recommended for anyone who regularly spends time outside, who are responsible for the safety of a group of people, or who enjoy learning about the weather. Because of the complexity of severe thunderstorms and the potential dangers involved, spotting is recommended for adults (18 yrs or older). High school and Middle school students are welcome to attend the class with a parent or other adult. The La Crosse NWS recommends spotters attend a training session at least every other year. For more information, please visit http://www.weather.gov/arx/skywarn_schedule or call 647-8187.
Safer Internet Day
This week, we celebrate Safer Internet Day. Safer Internet Day gained official recognition in the U.S. in late 2012, with a joint agreement between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the European Commission to work together to build a better Internet for youth.
Our plan is to make each Safer Internet Day U.S. (SID U.S.) a highly collaborative project that promotes the efforts of Internet users of all ages, interests and backgrounds to make the Internet a better place and the world a better place with the help of the Internet. This year we are featuring the good deeds and leadership of young people in “playing your part for a better Internet,” the EC’s theme for SID 2016.
Please join us in celebrating Safer Internet Day and each user’s efforts, big and small, to make the Internet a better place and the world a better place using the Internet and connected media!
This year, a special live event will take place at Universal Studios Hollywood with 350+ youth leaders, educators, policy makers, parents, Internet safety experts and executives from the leading tech companies to focus not just on problems but solutions for a better Internet. You can watch the livestream here!