Austin Preparedness Guide
By City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Copyright 2011 Austin HSEM
Smashwords Edition
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although this is a free book, it remains the copyrighted property of the City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial purposes.
Table of Contents
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
The City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) coordinates the citywide response to large-scale emergencies and disasters. This includes planning and activities for preparedness, response, and recovery phases of a disaster.
HSEM's Mission
The mission of the city of Austin Office Of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) is to plan and prepare for emergencies, educate the public about preparedness, manage grant funding to improve homeland security and public safety capabilities, coordinate emergency response and recovery, and work with public and partner organizations to protect our community when it needs us the most.
Austin HSEM’s Community Preparedness programs, “Disaster Ready Austin" and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) works to train volunteers on disaster preparedness.
Austin HSEM’s website, AustinHSEM.com, provides up to the minute emergency conditions and community preparedness information during disasters, as well as in-depth disaster preparedness information. “Disaster Ready Austin” on facebook posts emergency information and updates for the Austin area.
Homeland security begins with Hometown security
One of the important lessons that we've learned over the years is that confronting violence in our communities works best when local law enforcement works in close collaboration with the communities and citizens they serve, as well as their partners in the federal government.
It's a simple idea, but a powerful one: that homeland security begins with hometown security. And when we equip local law enforcement, citizens, and communities to understand and combat violent extremism, we make our home towns – and our nation – safer.
Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or say something say something in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom.
Terrorists often use threats to:
Create fear among the public.
Try to convince citizens that their government is powerless to prevent terrorism.
Get immediate publicity for their causes
Acts of terrorism include threats of terrorism; assassinations; kidnappings; hijackings; bomb scares and bombings; cyber attacks (computer-based); and the use of chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological weapons.
High-risk targets for acts of terrorism include military and civilian government facilities, international airports, large cities, and high-profile landmarks. Terrorists might also target large public gatherings, water and food supplies, utilities, and corporate centers.
Further, terrorists are capable of spreading fear by sending explosives or chemical and biological agents through the mail.
Terrorist event, you would need to rely on police, fire, and other officials for instructions. However, you can prepare in much the same way you would prepare for other crisis events.
The following are general guidelines:
Be aware of your surroundings.
Move or leave if you feel uncomfortable or if something does not seem right.
Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage unattended. You should promptly report unusual behavior, suspicious or unattended packages, and strange devices to the police or security personnel.
Learn where emergency exits are located in buildings you frequent.
Plan how to get out in the event of an emergency.
Be prepared to do without services you normally depend on—electricity, telephone, natural gas, gasoline pumps, cash registers, ATMs, and Internet transactions.
Austin is at risk for wildfire year-round. The recent growth explosion has increased the threat from wildfire, especially on the edges of the city where homes border grassland and wooded areas, called the "urban/wildland interface.
Emergency response is not as fast and water supplies are not as readily available in these outskirt areas, so advanced preparation is crucial. The highest wildfire risk is in west Austin where houses mix with wooded, hilly areas.
The following factors will put your home at higher risk:
Situated along or within a preserve area
Thick tree canopy and/or brush understory
On a ridgeline or cliff (a fire traveling up a slope will move faster and have longer flames than a fire traveling on flat terrain
Have only one escape road
Windows that overlook slopes or vegetation (heat can cause them to break leaving an opening for flames)
Steep access roads that may slow down heavy response vehicles
Extensions that overhang slopes, like eaves, room pushouts, or bay windows
Wooden structures attached or nearby such as decks, porches, fences, and playscapes Windy updrafts along a ridge (soaring vultures are tell-tale signs)
The Austin Fire Department has determined that the conditions in west Austin and Travis County are similar to those that were present before the 1991 Oakland, California disaster. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the Oakland wildfire caused the largest dollar fire loss in United States history.
Approximately 90% of wildfires in Texas are caused by people. Seemingly harmless things like outdoor grilling, dragging safety chains behind a trailer, welding and building campfires can accidentally start a dangerous wildfire.
Use caution when:
Burning debris
Obey all local burn bans and restrictions.
Postpone burning when conditions are dry or windy.
Establish wide control lines down to bare mineral soil.
Never leave fire unattended.
Keep water and hand tools nearby.
Note: Escaped debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires in the State of Texas. Firefighters across the state cite inadequate fire breaks and failure to stay with outdoor fires as the two most common reasons for escaped fires.
Negligently allowing your fire to escape onto a neighbor's property is a Class C misdemeanor offense that is punishable by a fine up to $500.
Welding/grinding/cutting
Remove vegetation from the work area.
Where vegetation cannot be removed, use a sprayer to wet down the work area prior to starting welding operations. Wet a wider area on the down-wind side from the welding location. If working in the same area for an extended period, re-wet the vegetation surrounding the work site.
Keep water handy.
Have someone with you to spot any fires that the sparks ignite so that they can be caught while small.
Avoid parking vehicles in dry, tall grass.
NOTE: During extreme dry, hot and windy conditions, fire may appear to be out but will re-ignite when temperatures and wind increase. Be sure to stir and wet down areas of grass that have burned dowsing with plenty of water before leaving site.
Baling Hay
Check bearing frequently and stop use if they get too hot.
Remove any loose hay trapped around rollers-the friction can build up and start a fire.
Keep a fire extinguisher and field sprayer nearby in case a fire breaks out.
During extreme dry, hot and windy conditions, have someone with you to watch for smoking balers.
Camping
Check local restrictions on campfires.
Build and burn campfires in a metal box or fire pit only.
Do not build a fire in dry, windy conditions.
Make sure the campfire is at least 15 feet from surroundings and low hanging branches.
Use an approved gas stove as an alternative for heating and cooking.
If charcoal grills are permitted, use them only over fire proof surfaces such as asphalt or bare mineral soil.
Fireworks
Using fireworks
Follow all county and city laws regarding fireworks use.
Only use fireworks outdoors and away from dry grass and buildings.
Read the labels and use only as directed, with adult supervision.
Keep water, wet towels an d a garden hose nearby.
Allow fireworks to cool completely before handling, and discard used fireworks into a bucket of water.
Using lawn equipment and motor vehicles
Keep mufflers and spark arresters on lawn care equipment in proper working order and watch out for rocks and metal when mowing
Dragging chains can start a grass fire along the road without your knowledge. A small piece of hot metal rips off the chain when it comes in contact with the pavement. When in contact with dry vegetation it can ignite a wildfire. Check to make sure your chains are secure and short enough not to drag.
Prerpare your home and family for a wildfire
Ready, set, go
Prepare for the possibility of a wildland fire before the threat occurs. Take preventive actions to make your home safer from the threat of wildfire by using Firewise and similar principles (firewise.org).
Remove combustible materials from around your home. Keep grass mowed short.
SET. Elevate your family’s awareness when fire weather occurs or when wildland fire activity increases. Form a family disaster plan.
Agree on an evacuation plan that includes what to do if you get separated and where you’ll go in case of evacuation.
Pack critical medicines, important documents, family heirlooms to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
GO. This is the simplest step: Execute your disaster plan by leaving early, well before the fire arrives.
If instructed to evacuate, do so! Your “stuff” isn’t more important than your LIFE.
Each year, more than 4,000 Americans die and more than 25,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented. Direct property loss due to fires is estimated at $8.6 billion annually.
To protect yourself, it is important to understand the basic characteristics of fire. Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.
Heat and smoke from fire can be more dangerous than the flames. Inhaling the super-hot air can sear your lungs. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Instead of being awakened by a fire, you may fall into a deeper sleep. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.
Smoke Alarms
Install smoke alarms. Properly working smoke alarms decrease your chances of dying in a fire by half.
Place smoke alarms on every level of your residence. Place them outside bedrooms on the ceiling or high on the wall (4 to 12 inches from ceiling), at the top of open stairways, or at the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in) the kitchen.
Test and clean smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries at least once a year. Replace smoke alarms once every 10 years.
Escaping the Fire
Review escape routes with your family. Practice escaping from each room.
Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut. Make sure security gratings on windows have a fire safety opening feature so they can be easily opened from the inside.
Consider escape ladders if your residence has more than one level, and ensure that burglar bars and other antitheft mechanisms that block outside window entry are easily opened from the inside.
Teach family members to stay low to the floor (where the air is safer in a fire) when escaping from a fire.
Clean out storage areas. Do not let trash, such as old newspapers and magazines, pile up.
Flammable items
Never use gasoline or similar flammable liquids indoors.
Store flammable liquids in approved containers and in well-ventilated storage areas.
Never smoke near flammable liquids.
Discard all rags or materials that have been soaked in flammable liquids after you have used them. Safely discard them outdoors in a metal container.
Insulate chimneys and place spark arresters on top. The chimney should be at least three feet higher than the roof. Remove branches hanging above and around the chimney.
Heating Sources
Be careful when using alternative heating sources.
Check with your local fire department on the legality of using kerosene heaters in your community. Be sure to fill kerosene heaters outside, and be sure they have cooled.
Place heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials. Make sure the floor and nearby walls are properly insulated.
Use only the type of fuel designated for your unit and follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Store ashes in a metal containers outside and away from your residence.
Keep open flames away from walls, furniture, drapery, and flammable items.
Keep a screen in front of the fireplace.
Have heating units inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist.
Matches and Smoking
Keep matches and lighter, away from children, and, if possible, in a locked cabinet.
Never smoke in bed or when drowsy or medicated.
Provide smokers with deep, sturdy ashtrays.
Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before disposal.
Electrical Wiring
Have the electrical wiring in your residence checked by an electrician.
Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs.
Make sure outlets have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
Make sure wiring does not run under rugs, over nails, or across high-traffic areas.
Do not overload extension cords or outlets. If you need to plug in two or three appliances, get a UL-approved unit with built-in circuit breakers to prevent sparks and short circuits.
Make sure insulation does not touch bare electrical wiring.
During a Fire
Check closed doors for heat before you open them. If you are escaping through a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and door frame before you open it. Never use the palm of your hand or fingers to test for heat - burning those areas could impair your ability to escape a fire (i.e., ladders and crawling).
If your clothes catch on fire, you should stop, drop, and roll - until the fire is extinguished. Running only makes the fire burn faster.
Home Fire Safety Tips
Sleep with your door closed.
Install A-B-C-type fire extinguishers in your residence, and teach family members how to use them.
Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your residence.
Ask your local fire department to inspect your residence for fire safety and prevention.
Flooding is the most serious hazard for the Austin area and is a threat across the entire city year-round. A common myth is that flooding only occurs in creek or river floodplains. Many do not realize that flooding can occur anywhere in Austin.
75% of Greater Austin Area flood fatalities are automobile related!
Never drive around a barricade. Two feet of water will carry away most automobiles and SUVs. As little as six inches of moving water can be dangerous.
It’s the combination of these factors that can cause large, violent storms here in “Flash Flood Alley”:
Big sources of moisture from both the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean; The jet stream that crosses the state from the Rocky Mountains; Closeness to the unstable West Texas “dry line” separating the dry desert air from the moist Gulf air; An uplift created along the Balcones Escarpment that runs across Central Texas; Storms northwest of us on the Edwards Plateau send flood waters downstream into Austin area creeks and rivers.
Limestone and thin soils do not absorb much rain water.
Violent weather creates cell storms that release heavy rains in any size area from a small neighborhood to a whole region. When a cell storm pours, it causes instant “flash flooding”, making it almost impossible to predict in advance where flooding will occur.
Creeks
Urban and rural creeks run through all areas of Austin creating the beautiful greenbelt and parks system. Unfortunately, this means we live in and near their floodplains. A floodplain is the land area these bodies of water will spill over into when it rains heavily. We can’t control a floodplain-- nature wins eventually.
Colorado River
The Colorado River bisects the city, and a series of dams provides us with the Highland Lakes and Town Lake for recreation, drinking water and power. As with creeks, many people have built in the floodplain of the river. The dams along the river do not prevent flooding, but can help reduce the intensity of the flow of floodwaters. The Colorado River crosses the entire state of Texas, so flooding in any area of the river’s watershed may affect Austin as well as many communities upstream and downstream of us. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) regulates the dams in the Austin area.
Urban Flooding
Developed areas cannot absorb as much rainfall as a natural area.
Water runoff in urban areas is faster and there is much more of it, creating very dangerous conditions for people, especially drivers. Also, drainage systems can be overwhelmed, causing flooding in areas outside of floodplains.
Before a Flood
To prepare for a flood:
Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.
Construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the building.
Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
During a Flood
If a flood is likely in your area, you should:
Listen to the radio or television for information.
Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.
If you must prepare to evacuate:
Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture.
Move essential items to an upper floor.
Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances.
Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
If you have to leave your home:
Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall.
If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving.
Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.
Driving Flood Facts
Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
A foot of water will float many vehicles.
Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.
After a Flood
Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
Avoid moving water.
Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
All thunderstorms are dangerous. Every thunderstorm produces lightning. In the United States, an average of 300 people are injured, and 80 people are killed each year by lightning. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms. Other associated dangers of thunderstorms include tornadoes, strong winds, hail, and flash flooding. Flash flooding is responsible for more fatalities—more than 140 annually—than any other thunderstorm-associated hazard.
Dry thunderstorms that do not produce rain that reaches the ground are most prevalent in the western United States. Falling raindrops evaporate, but lightning can still reach the ground and can start wildfires
No place outside is safe when lightning is in the area. Stay indoors until 30 minutes have passed after you hear the last clap of thunder.
Lightning Safety Tips for Inside the Home
Avoid contact with corded phones
Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.
Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.
Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.
If a Thunderstorm is Likely in Your Area
Postpone outdoor activities.
Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile (not a convertible). Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.
Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades, or curtains.
Avoid showering or bathing. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
Use a corded telephone only for emergencies. Cordless and cellular telephones are safe to use.
Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
Use a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.
Stay away from:
Natural lightning rods such as a tall, isolated tree in an open area.
Hilltops, open fields, the beach, or a boat on the water.
Isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.
Anything metal—tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles, golf carts, golf clubs, and bicycles.
Lightning’s unpredictability increases the risk to individuals and property.
Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.
"Heat lightning" is actually lightning from a thunderstorm too far away for thunder to be heard. However, the storm may be moving in your direction!
Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evening.
Your chances of being struck by lightning are estimated to be 1 in 600,000, but could be reduced even further by following safety precautions.
Lightning strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately.
Facts About Thunderstorms
They may occur singly, in clusters, or in lines.
Some of the most severe occur when a single thunderstorm affects one location for an extended time.
Thunderstorms typically produce heavy rain for a brief period, anywhere from 3 0 minutes to an hour.
Warm, humid conditions are highly favorable for thunderstorm development.
About 10 percent of thunderstorms are classified as severe—one that produces hail at least three-quarters of an inch in diameter, has winds of 58 miles per hour or higher, or produces a tornado.
Extreme cold often accompanies a winter storm or is left in its wake. Prolonged exposure to the cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and become life-threatening. Infants and elderly people are most susceptible. What constitutes extreme cold and its effect varies across different areas of the United States. In areas unaccustomed to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are considered "extreme cold." Pipes may freeze and burst in homes that are poorly insulated or without heat. In the north, below zero temperatures may be considered as "extreme cold."
Heavy accumulations of ice can bring down trees, electrical wires, telephone poles and lines, and communication towers. Communications and power can be disrupted for days while utility companies work to repair the extensive damage. Even small accumulations of ice may cause extreme hazards to motorists and pedestrians.
During a Winter Storm
Listen to your radio (KLBJ 590AM) television, or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information.
Eat regularly and drink ample fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Avoid overexertion. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter.
Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.
Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, get the victim to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body first, and give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious. Get medical help as soon as possible.
Know the Terms
Freezing Rain: Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees, and power lines.
Sleet: Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.
Winter Storm Watch: A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information.
Winter Storm Warning: A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area.
Frost/Freeze Warning: Below freezing temperatures are expected.
Heat kills by pushing the human body beyond its limits. In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature.
Most heat disorders occur because the victim has been overexposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her age and physical condition. Older adults, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to succumb to extreme heat.
Conditions that can induce heat-related illnesses include stagnant atmospheric conditions and poor air quality. Consequently, people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than those living in rural areas. Also, asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually release heat at night, which can produce higher nighttime temperatures known as the “urban heat island effect.”
To prepare for extreme heat, you should:
Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.
Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
Install temporary window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.
Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)
Keep storm windows up all year.
During a Heat Emergency
Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.
Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
Drink plenty of water. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.
First Aid for Heat-Induced Illnesses
Extreme heat brings with it the possibility of heat-induced illnesses:
Sunburn
Symptoms: Skin redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever, headaches.
First aid: Take a shower using soap to remove oils that may block pores, preventing the body from cooling naturally. Apply dry, sterile dressings to any blisters, and get medical attention.
Heat Cramps
Symptoms: Painful spasms, usually in leg and abdominal muscles; heavy sweating.
First aid: Get the victim to a cooler location.
Lightly stretch and gently massage affected muscles to relieve spasms.
Give sips of up to a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. (Do not give liquids with caffeine or alcohol.)
Discontinue liquids if victim is nauseated.
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms: Heavy sweating but skin may be cool, pale, or flushed. Weak pulse. Normal body temperature is possible, but temperature will likely rise. Fainting or dizziness, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, and headaches are possible.
First aid: Get victim to lie down in a cool place. Loosen or remove clothing. Apply cool, wet clothes. Fan or move victim to a place that is air-conditioned. Give sips of water if victim is conscious. Be sure water is consumed slowly. Give half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Discontinue water if victim is nauseated. Seek immediate medical attention if vomiting occurs.
Heat Stroke (a severe medical emergency)
Symptoms: High body temperature (105+); hot, red, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid shallow breathing. Victim will probably not sweat unless victim was sweating from recent strenuous activity. Possible unconsciousness.
First aid: Call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services, or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal. Move victim to a cooler environment. Removing clothing Try a cool bath, sponging, or wet sheet to reduce body temperature. Watch for breathing problems. Use extreme caution. Use fans and air conditioners
Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Every state is at some risk from this hazard.
Some tornadoes are clearly visible, while rain or nearby low-hanging clouds obscure others. Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that little, if any, advance warning is possible.
Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still. A cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible. Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.
Before a Tornado
Be alert to changing weather conditions.
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information.
Look for approaching storms.
Look for the following danger signs:
Dark, often greenish sky
Large hail
A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
Loud roar, similar to a freight train.
If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.
During a Tornado
If you are under a tornado WARNING, seek shelter immediately!
Preparing a Safe Room
Extreme windstorms in many parts of the country pose a serious threat to buildings and their occupants. Your residence may be built “to code,” but that does not mean it can withstand winds from extreme events such as tornadoes and major hurricanes. The purpose of a safe room or a wind shelter is to provide a space where you and your family can seek refuge that provides a high level of protection. You can build a safe room in one of several places in your home.
Safe rooms built below ground level provide the greatest protection, but a safe room built in a first-floor interior room also can provide the necessary protection. Below-ground safe rooms must be designed to avoid accumulating water during the heavy rains that often accompany severe windstorms.
To protect its occupants, a safe room must be built to withstand high winds and flying debris, even if the rest of the residence is severely damaged or destroyed. Consider the following when building a safe room:
The safe room must be adequately anchored to resist overturning and uplift.
The walls, ceiling, and door of the shelter must withstand wind pressure and resist penetration by windborne objects and falling debris.
The connections between all parts of the safe room must be strong enough to resist the wind.
Sections of either interior or exterior residence walls that are used as walls of the safe room, must be separated from the structure of the residence so that damage to the residence will not cause damage to the safe room.
Know the Terms
Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.
Facts About Tornadoes
They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
They may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 MPH, but may vary from stationary to 70 MPH.
Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land.
Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water.
Tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer months.
Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring through early summer.
Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.
Nearly every household uses products containing hazardous materials or chemicals.
Guidelines for buying and storing hazardous household chemicals safely:
Buy only as much of a chemical as you think you will use. Leftover material can be shared with neighbors or donated to a business, charity, or government agency. For example, excess pesticide could be offered to a greenhouse or garden center, and theater groups often need surplus paint. Some communities have organized waste exchanges where household hazardous chemicals and waste can be swapped or given away.
Keep products containing hazardous materials in their original containers and never remove the labels unless the container is corroding. Corroding containers should be repackaged and clearly labeled.
Never store hazardous products in food containers.
Never mix household hazardous chemicals or waste with other products. Incompatibles, such as chlorine bleach and ammonia, may react, ignite, or explode.
To prevent and respond to accidents:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructors for the proper use of the household chemical.
Never smoke while using household chemicals.
Never use hair spray, cleaning solutions, paint products, or pesticides near an open flame (e.g., pilot light, lighted candle, fireplace, wood burning stove, etc.) Although you may not be able to see or smell them, vapor particles in the air could catch fire or explode.
Clean up any chemical spill immediately. Use rags to clean up the spill. Wear gloves and eye protection. Allow the fumes in the rags to evaporate outdoors, then dispose of the rags by wrapping them in a newspaper and placing them in a sealed plastic bag in your trash can.
Dispose of hazardous materials correctly. Take household hazardous waste to a local collection program. Check with your county or state environmental or solid waste agency to learn if there is a household hazardous waste collection program in your area.
Check the label and take the necessary steps to ensure that you are using, storing, and disposing of the material according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Store household chemicals in places where children cannot access them.
Products such as aerosol cans of hair spray and deodorant, nail polish and nail polish remover, toilet bowl cleaners, and furniture polishes all fall into the category of hazardous materials.
Chemicals are found everywhere. They purify drinking water, increase crop production, and simplify household chores. But chemicals also can be hazardous to humans or the environment if used or released improperly. Hazards can occur during production, storage, transportation, use, or disposal. You and your community are at risk if a chemical is used unsafely or released in harmful amounts into the environment where you live, work, or play.
Chemical manufacturers are one source of hazardous materials, but there are many others, including service stations, hospitals, and hazardous materials waste sites.
During a Hazardous Materials Incident
Listen to local radio station - KLBJ (590AM); or television stations for detailed information and instructions. Follow the instructions carefully. You should stay away from the area to minimize the risk of contamination. Remember that some toxic chemicals are odorless.
A pandemic is the worldwide spread of a new disease. It’s important to note that the term pandemic refers to the geographic spread of a disease and not necessarily the severity of the disease.
An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges and spreads around the world, and most people do not have immunity.
Viruses that have caused past influenza pandemics typically originated from animal influenza viruses.
Some aspects of influenza pandemics can appear similar to seasonal influenza while other characteristics may be quite different. For example, both seasonal and pandemic influenza can cause infections in all age groups, and most cases will result in self-limited illness in which the person recovers fully without treatment or hospitalization.
However, typical seasonal influenza causes most of its deaths among the elderly while other severe cases occur most commonly in people with a variety of medical conditions.
By contrast, the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic caused most of its severe or fatal disease in younger people, both those with chronic conditions as well as healthy persons, and caused many more cases of viral pneumonia than is normally seen with seasonal influenza.
For both seasonal and pandemic influenza, the total number of people who get severely ill can vary. However, the impact or severity tends to be higher in pandemics in part because of the much larger number of people in the population who lack pre-existing immunity to the new virus. When a large portion of the population is infected, even if the proportion of those infected that go on to develop severe disease is small, the total number of severe cases can be quite large.
When is flu season?
Influenza activity usually lasts from October to May in the United States.
What can I do to stay well?
Get an annual flu vaccine.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.
Identify an out-of town contact.
It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.
Teach family members how to use text messaging (also knows as SMS or Short Message Service). Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
Subscribe to Emergency Notification Alert Services.
Join our mailing list to receive e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. Join by visiting your www.austinhsem.com.
Planning to Stay or Go
Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first important decision is whether you stay where you are or evacuate. You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and available information, including what you are learning here, to determine if there is an immediate danger. In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for information or official instruction as it becomes available.
Emergency Information
Find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and man-made, are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified. One common method is to broadcast via emergency radio 590 KLBJ AM and TV broadcasts. You might hear a special siren, or get a telephone call, or emergency workers may go door-to-door.
Use the Quick Share application to help your family in assembling a quick reference list of contact information for your family, and a meeting place for emergency situations.
You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together in the event of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance.
You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer.
Basic emergency kit:
Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
Additional Items:
Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
Cash or traveler's checks and change
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov.
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Before, during and after a disaster, it is critical that you listen for the most local, up-to-date information from emergency officials. Local media will convey instructions from local, state and federal government partners, such as:
Orders to evacuate
Details about evacuation routes
Locations of evacuation shelters
How to safely stay where you are
Where to find assistance
Weather warnings and watches
Make sure your battery-powered radio is working in case the electricity goes out. Have extra batteries on hand.
Important Numbers:
Dial 911-for Emergency help
Dial 311-call for non-emergency help
Dial 211-social service information line. The Official State-wide information line for general public to get updates in an emergency. Translation services are available.
More Ways to be Informed:
Listen to emergency radio stations
KLBJ 590AM is the official emergency information station.
Join the Austin HSEM mailing list
Follow us on facebook, search Disaster Ready Austin
Visit the Emergency Conditions page for Road Closures etc…
Always visit www.austinhsem.com during emergencies
Get to know your neighbors. It is the most significant step you can take to improve your safety. In an emergency, your neighbors can respond faster than anyone else.
Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together during a disaster until help arrives. If you’re a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness as a new activity.
Know your neighbor’s special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can’t get home.
Neighborhood Tips:
Start or join a Neighborhood Watch Program. This helps you and your family to feel safer at night and build a sense of community at the same time.
Join your Neighborhood Association
Walk door-to-door and introduce yourself and your family to your neighbor.
Get a map of your neighborhood.
Talk with your neighborhood’s local Emergency Personnel.
Develop a list of neighbor’s skills and special equipment that could be used in an emergency.
Prepare a back up plan for neighborhood children, elderly and other special needs.
These neighborhood tips will help reduce anxiety, injures and property damage during emergencies. Moreover help reduce secondary hazards such as fires and greatly improve neighborhood recovery.
These neighborhood tips will help reduce anxiety, injures and property damage during emergencies. Moreover help reduce secondary hazards such as fires and greatly improve neighborhood recovery.
Store emergency supplies in a pack or backpack attached to a walker, wheelchair, scooter, etc.
Store needed mobility aids (canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs) close to you in a consistent, convenient and secured location. Keep extra aids in several locations, if possible.
Emergency Supply Kit
Keep a pair of heavy gloves in your supply kit to use when wheeling or making your way over glass and debris.
If you use a motorized scooter, consider having an extra battery available.
Check with your vendor to see if you will be able to charge batteries by either connecting jumper cables to a vehicle battery or by connecting batteries to a specific type of converter that plugs into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter in the event of electricity outages.
If your chair does not have puncture proof tires, keep a patch kit, an extra supply of inner tubes or a can of “seal in air product” to repair flat tires.
Store a lightweight manual wheelchair, if available.
Evacuation
Arrange and secure furniture and other items to provide paths of travel and barrier-free passages.
If you spend time above the first floor of a building with an elevator, plan and practice using alternative evacuation methods. If needed, establish a personal support network.
If you cannot use the stairs, discuss lifting and carrying techniques that will work for you. There will be instances when wheelchair users will have to leave their chairs behind in order to safely evacuate a structure.
Transporting someone down stairs may not be practical without sufficient help available. Persons using a wheelchair should instruct any volunteers on the safest way to transport them and advise regarding areas of vulnerability. For example, the traditional "firefighter's carry" might be hazardous for some people with respiratory weakness.
Transporting someone down stairs may not be practical without sufficient help available. Persons using a wheelchair should instruct any volunteers on the safest way to transport them and advise regarding areas of vulnerability. For example, the traditional "firefighter's carry" might be hazardous for some people with respiratory weakness.
Checklist
Store needed aids in a consistent, convenient and secured location.
Compile emergency kit extras.
Arrange and secure furniture and other items to create barrier-free passages.
Practice using alternate methods of evacuation.
Texas has pet friendly emergency/evacuation shelters so you can bring your pet with you if you have to evacuate your home and stay in a shelter
If you and your pet get separated, proper identification may be the only way to be reunited. Make sure your pet has a properly fitted collar that includes current identification and rabies tag.
Your pet’s disaster kit
Your pet’s disaster kit must contain the essentials, which may vary, depending upon whether your best friend is a dog, cat, gecko, or mouse. But there are a few things that are relatively common to all animals. It’s up to you to make sure you have the supplies on hand to keep your pets healthy and safe.
Crate or carrier (one for each animal)
Food, water, and feeding dishes
Emergency contact information
Medications, prescriptions, flea, and heartworm treatments
Favorite toys, treats, and bedding
Leash, collar or harness, and spare identification tags
Kitty litter, pan, and scoop
Muzzles (if pet uses a muzzle)
Newspaper
Paper towels and cleaning supplies
Sealable bags for disposing of solid waste (picking up poop)
Stakes and tie-outs
Trash bags
Instructions (information about diet and medications)
Documentation (vaccination and ownership records)
Optional-but-useful items (flashlight, batteries, radio, and wipes)
The City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Austin/Travis County Health and Human Service Department's Animal Emergency
Preparedness Plan addresses temporary sheltering during evacuations.
Animals brought with evacuees will be placed in the same temporary human shelters and provided necessary care.
Animals that need special care or are found without owners will be placed at Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC).
If TLAC shelter is full, animals will be placed in shelters such as the Humane Society and similar organization's sites, makeshift tents, trailers, warehouses, parking garages, etc., with appropriate climate control.
It's important to observe your pets closely after a disaster and give them extra attention.
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