Weather Changes

Thunderstorms, hail, blizzards, ice storms, hurricanes, storm surges, tornadoes and heavy rain can develop quickly and threaten life and property. These severe storms occur in all regions of Canada and in all seasons.

PREPARING for severe storms

Before
* Trim dead branches and cut down dead trees to reduce the danger of these falling onto your house during a storm.
* Clean gutters, drains and downpipes.
* Make sure your roof is in good repair.
* Prepare an emergency kit.
When a storm is imminent
* When a severe storm is on the horizon, Environment Canada will issue weather warnings through the Weatheroffice website, automated telephone information lines and its “Weatheradio” service. Radio and television stations will also broadcast Environment Canada weather statements. Pay attention to that information.
* Always check the weather forecast before heading out on the water. Do not go boating in a storm. If you are on the water and see bad weather approaching, head for shore immediately. Remember to file a sail plan with a responsible person, and frequently monitor the VHF marine or Weatheradio broadcast throughout your trip.
* Secure everything that might be blown around or torn loose – indoors and outdoors. Flying objects such as garbage cans and lawn furniture can injure people and damage property.
* Consider going to the sheltered area that you and your family identified in your emergency plan.
During a storm
* If you are indoors during a storm, stay away from windows, doors and fireplaces.
* If you are advised by officials to evacuate, do so. Delay may make later evacuation difficult or impossible. Take your emergency kit with you.
* If indoors, you can use a cellular or cordless telephone during a severe storm, but it is not safe to use a corded telephone.
* If you are in a car, stop the car away from trees or power lines that might fall on you. Avoid the base of steep or unstable slopes and low areas prone to flooding. Stay inside the car.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes are violent tropical storms. These extreme storms occur when winds revolve around a centre of low pressure. In the centre, called the eye, there is often a calm area of blue sky.
Hurricanes:
* Occasionally hit eastern Canada, usually between June and November (September is the peak month).
* Are bigger and cause more widespread damage than tornadoes (a very large system can be up to 1,000 kilometers wide).
* Wield very strong winds – of at least 120 kilometers per hour – around the “eye” accompanied by torrential rains.
* Can bring heavy rain and cause significant flooding.
* Can often be tracked several days in advance of landfall.
* Usually move slowly and can batter communities for several hours.
What to do
* During hurricane season, pay attention to weather forecasts and warnings.
* If you live on the coast or in a low-lying area near the coast, move inland and to higher ground. The high winds create huge waves at sea which can be very damaging when combined with a storm surge (see Storm Surges section).
* Do not go down to the water to watch the storm. Most fatalities during hurricanes occur as a result of being caught in large waves, storm surges or flood waters.
* If the eye of the hurricane passes over, there will be a lull in the wind lasting from several minutes to half an hour. Stay in a safe place. Make emergency repairs only and remember that once the eye has passed, the winds will return from the opposite direction with possibly even greater force.
* Listen for reports from authorities on your crank or battery powered radio.
* On a farm, it may be better to leave livestock unsheltered. During past hurricanes some animals left outside suffered less injury than those in shelters, which were injured by collapsing structures and flying objects that may have been avoided outside.

Ice storms

Freezing rain occurs when raindrops fall from a warm layer of air into air that is below freezing and become supercooled. When the supercooled droplets strike a surface below 0°C they instantly freeze, forming a layer of ice.
Ice storms:

* Freezing rain can occur anywhere in the country, but is particularly common in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.

* Remember that ice, branches or power lines can continue to break and fall for several hours after the end of the precipitation.

What to do

* Ice from freezing rain accumulates on branches, power lines and buildings. If you must go outside when a significant amount of ice has accumulated, pay attention to branches or wires that could break due to the weight of the ice and fall on you.

* Never approach power lines. A hanging power line could be charged (live) and you could be electrocuted. Stay back at least 10 meters (33 feet) from wires or anything in contact with them.

* When freezing rain is forecast, avoid driving if possible. Even a small amount of freezing rain can make roads extremely slippery. Wait several hours after freezing rain ends so that road maintenance crews have enough time to spread sand or salt on icy roads.

* Rapid onsets of freezing rain combined with strong winds increase the chances for hypothermia. If you live on a farm, move livestock promptly to shelter where feed is available. Forage is often temporarily inaccessible during and immediately after ice storms.
What to do in case of . . . Winter Storm

The Pittsburgh region can expect a severe winter storm at least once every winter season. These types of winter storms (ice or wet, heavy and sticky snow) can grind the whole city to a halt shutting down transportation systems, and placing demands on the power systems. During these types of storms accidents rise among those who try to drive, and can trap people at home or work.

Before:
Stay Informed. Listen to the radio or television for latest weather information. Winter Storm Watches and Warnings A winter storm watch indicates that severe winter weather may affect your area. A
winter storm warning indicates that severe winter weather conditions are definitely on the way or have already begun. A blizzard warning means that large amounts of falling or blowing snow and sustained winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for several hours.
During:
* Stay safe, warm, dry and calm.
* Do not drive unnecessarily. Of deaths related to ice and snow, 70 percent occur when people are stranded in cars or involved in accidents. If you must drive, bring necessary supplies.
* Dress warmly enough to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
* Do not go outside if you don't have to.

In a Car or Truck

* In extreme cold or in heavy snow, stay with your car until you can be rescued.
* Run the motor about ten minutes each hour for heat.
* Open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
* Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked, which would cause dangerous fumes to backup inside the car.
* Make yourself visible to rescuers. Tie a bright cloth to you antenna or door to alert rescuers.
* Turn on your dome light, at night, when running the engine.
* Raise the hood indicating trouble after snow stops falling.
* Exercise from time to time by vigorously moving arms, legs, fingers and toes to keep blood circulating and to keep warm.

Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold
To prepare for a winter storm you should do the following: * Before winter approaches, add the following supplies to your emergency kit:
o Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency for a complete list of recommended products.
o Sand to improve traction.
o Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
o Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in your home and regular fuel sources may be cut off. Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
o Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm. * Make a Family Communications Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.

* A NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts alerts and warnings directly from the NWS for all hazards. You may also sign up in advance to receive notifications from your local emergency services. Download FEMA’s Be Smart. Know Your Alerts and Warnings for a summary of notifications at: www.ready.gov/prepare. Free smart phone apps, such as those available from FEMA and the American Red Cross, provide information about finding shelters, providing first aid, and seeking assistance for recovery.

* Minimize travel. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.
* Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.

By. Alina Espinoza 3A