# 5526
Yesterday’s tornado and severe weather outbreak across the Mississippi Valley and Southland may well go into the record books, but as of now the full extent of the losses (human and property) haven’t been surveyed.
But what we do know is that it was – as predicted – very bad; scores are dead, hundreds injured, and hundreds of thousands affected by power outages.
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma lists nearly 160 tornado reports, almost 300 wind reports, and 178 hail reports for yesterday. These are preliminary numbers, and each must be verified.
The record was set on April 3rd, 1974 when over a 16 hour period 138 tornadoes swept across the Midwest killing more than 300 people.
April, 2011 – with more than 600 tornado sightings (preliminary) though Monday the 25th, is stacking up to be one of the worst months on record.
The previous (confirmed) highest number was 267 confirmed – again during the infamous 1974 Super Outbreak.
But today is a day for cleanup and recovery, amid large scale power outages. This is a dangerous time, during which additional deaths and injuries may occur.
So today, a review of some safety information for after the storm passes.
Perhaps not something that people in the tornado damage zone will be reading today, but hopefully of use for those who may be hit tomorrow, or next month, or later in Hurricane season.
The Peachtree City, Georgia NOAA weather page has some useful information on after-storm cleanup, including dealing with repair contractors.
This is just an excerpt, follow the link for a lot more:
Here are just a few safety tips...
- Be aware of hazards from exposed nails and broken glass.
- Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report electrical hazards to the police and the utility company.
- If it is dark when you are inspecting your home, use a flashlight rather than a candle or torch to avoid the risk of fire or explosion in a damaged home.
- If you see frayed wiring or sparks, or if there is an odor of something burning, you should immediately shut off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker if you have not done so already.
- If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave the house immediately. Notify the gas company, the police or fire departments, or State Fire Marshal's office, and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to your house until you are told it is safe to do so.
- For more information, visit the Centers for Disease and Prevention. They have a wealth of information about what to do in the aftermath of all sorts of events - like tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and many more.
The use of generators, and improvised cooking or heating indoors, often results in (preventable) Carbon Monoxide poisonings. Each year hundreds of Americans are killed, and thousands affected, by CO poisoning.
In Carbon Monoxide: A Stealthy Killer I wrote in depth on the issue, but a few tips from the CDC include:
Prevention Guidelines
You Can Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure
- Do have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
- Do install a battery-operated CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. If the detector sounds leave your home immediately and call 911.
- Do seek prompt medical attention if you suspect CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseous.
- Don't use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window.
- Don't run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open.
- Don't burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn't vented.
- Don't heat your house with a gas oven.
You’ll also find this useful CDC TV also has an excellent 3 minute video on CO poisoning from CDC TV , which you can watch here (dbl click image to view on Youtube).
Food safety after a power outage is another concern after the storm, something I covered last year in USDA: Food Safety When The Power Goes Out.
A few excerpts include:
The USDA maintains a Food Safety and Inspection website with a great deal of consumer information about how to protect your food supplies during an emergency, and how to tell when to discard food that may no longer be safe to consume.
First, an audio podcast (5 minutes).
Surviving a Power Outage: Don't Be in the Dark When it Comes to Food Safety (Jun 2, 2010; 4:45) | Script
FSIS Food Safety staff discusses tips on how to be food safe during a power outage.
The USDA also maintains a large repository of food safety information available to be read online, or downloaded as a pdf.
A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes
Note: This text-only version of the Guide has been optimized for accessibility. The illustrated PDF version (2.1MB) is recommended for printing.
Chainsaw accidents figure prominently after many weather-related disasters. The CDC maintains a chainsaw safety webpage. Excerpts follow:
Preventing Chain Saw Injuries During Tree Removal After a Disaster
Be aware of the risk of chain saw injury during tree removal
Each year, approximately 36,000 people are treated in hospital emergency departments for injuries from using chain saws. The potential risk of injury increases after hurricanes and other natural disasters, when chain saws are widely used to remove fallen or partially fallen trees and tree branches.
May and June are the peak months for Tornadoes in this country, and September is the peak of the Hurricane season. Spring floods are sweeping downstream right now, affecting many communities.
While it may seem as if the danger has passed once the clouds part, and the sun comes out, the truth is quite the opposite.
Now is a good time to follow these links and print out the information you may need - before the next big storm hits.
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