Cedar Rapids Today

City of Cedar Rapids recently issued the following announcement.

High winds are in the forecast today. Emergency preparedness is the responsibility of all of us. The City's Neighborhood P.A.C.T. (Prepare, Act, Communicate, Train) emergency-preparedness initiative has tips to keep safe during emergencies of all types.

Being ready for an emergency includes staying informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses, developing a family emergency plan, building an emergency supply kit, and getting involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies. Download a resources and information sheet. | Download the High Winds Emergency Info Sheet.

Prepare your home before a high wind weather event.

• Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
• Secure loose gutters and shutters.
• Identify an interior room of your house, such as a basement or interior bathroom, that you can take shelter in during high wind warnings.
• If you live in a mobile home, identify a sturdy building you can go to if the National Weather Service issues a high wind or severe thunderstorm warning.
• Charge batteries of all essential items such as cell phones and booster packs, weather radios and power tools such as a reciprocating saw, which you might need to clear debris.
• Update your emergency kit and be sure to include enough food and water to last for 3 days for each person in your home.
• Make a list of items outside your home you will need to tie down or put away so that they don’t blow away or fly through a window. When the National Weather Service issues a high wind or severe thunderstorm watch, immediately secure these items to avoid damage or injury once the wind starts picking up.

During High Winds

• Take Shelter
  • Immediately go inside a sturdy building during a high wind warning or severe thunderstorm warning and move to an interior room or basement.
  • If you are in a mobile home, move to a sturdy building before the winds pick up or the storm system reaches your location.
  • Listen to the local news or NOAA Weather Radio for updates.
• If Caught Outside or Driving
  • Take shelter in your vehicle if you are not near a sturdy building. If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building. Otherwise, move your vehicle to a location where it is less likely to be hit by falling trees or power lines.
  • If no shelter is available avoid trees, power lines, and the side of the road. Keep in mind that power lines that are laying on the ground may be live. Do not go near them! Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
  • If you are driving and aren’t near a sturdy building, hold the steering wheel with both hands and slow down.
  • Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers. One strong gust of wind can be enough to flip one of these trailers onto its side.

After Strong Winds

• Do not go near downed power lines. Report downed power lines by calling 911.
• Continue to listen to the local news and NOAA Weather Radio for updates following the storm.
• Sign up for text alerts through CRNewsNow.com. The designated Emergency Alert System radio stations are WMT AM 600 and KKSY FM 96.5.
• If you lose power and are using a generator, be sure to review generator safety tips.
• Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.

Original source can be found here.