Public Storm Shelter Being Closed

MIDWEST CITY — Public storm shelters in Midwest City will be closed when a resolution takes effect Jan. 1.
Members of the city council voted Dec. 11 to close the shelters. Midwest City's public storm shelters are located in the lower floor of the Reed Conference Center, the basement of city hall and in the basement of Fire Station No. 5.

Officials cited concern for public safety as the reason for the closures. Emergency Management Director Mike Bower said traveling to a public storm shelter immediately before or during a severe weather event exposes people to the hazards they are attempting to avoid.
“Sheltering in place affords our citizens the quickest and best protection during a tornado event,” Bower said.
City spokeswoman Kay Hunt said there has been a high demand for the shelters in recent years.
“They were well-used and used beyond capacity,” Hunt said. “Our policy had been not to open the shelters until the sirens blew, but in the past people would begin showing up as soon as there was talk about severe weather on TV.”
Edmond Public Schools decided this year against allowing people to use its buildings as shelters. During a May 24 tornado, about 8,000 people were allowed into school buildings.
Tuttle has gone the other way. Its new city hall that opened this year has a storm shelter in the basement that can accommodate 985 people.
Midwest City officials said building a shelter that would accommodate a large portion of the city's population would not be cost-effective. They said better options are for people to build shelters in their homes and develop a family plan for weather emergencies.

Tornadoes Second Season

By Peter N. Spotts, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor / November 12, 2002

Residents across a huge swath of the South and Midwest are beginning the arduous task of picking up their lives after a bizarre coil of autumn tornadoes ripped across the region, wreaking some of the worst damage in decades. The cluster of storms left dozens dead and hundreds of others missing across at least 13 states. The devastation is raising enduring questions about the effectiveness of local early-warning systems – and is a painful reminder that tornadoes don't just strike in the spring. There's also an often-overlooked second storm season in the fall.

Preparedness, particularly at a time of year that many people don't associate with tornadoes, remains key, according to Daniel McCarthy, warning- coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.

"Every year we get an outbreak of some kind in November," typically from the Tennessee Valley to the Southeastern US, says Daniel McCarthy. It's a region that in the past few years has become known as "Dixie Alley."

People in that area "have to be prepared; they need to know where to go for safety," and be as alert to the possibility of fall tornadoes as residents of "Tornado Alley" – the storm-prone Midwest and middle South, from Texas north to Nebraska and Iowa – are to storms in the spring, Mr. McCarthy says.
The number of twisters and the reasons for the high death toll – which at press time stood at 33, with more than 100 injured – may not emerge for a few days. Meteorologists will be reviewing weather-radar data and reports from human "spotters," while local emergency-management officials look at the types and ages of damaged structures.

But they do have a clear idea of the unusual conditions that spawned the storms. A strong storm front running from the Mississippi Valley to the southern plains was moving east. Drawing energy from the warm, moist air that the system was pulling north from the Gulf of Mexico, the storm front intensified as it moved into the Ohio Valley, according to McCarthy. Jet-stream winds at 18,000 feet were clipping along at 110 miles an hour along a line from Arkansas to western New York, while 13,000 feet below, more southerly winds blew at a respectable 62 miles an hour.

Those conditions, dubbed vertical shear, "were the strongest we've seen in many years," McCarthy says. Like a pair of hands rolling Play-Doh, high winds running in different directions at two altitudes set up a broad rolling motion in the layers of air in between that translated into the worst tornadoes since May 1999, when a series of twisters tore through parts of Oklahoma and Kansas, killing 40 people and inflicting $1.2 billion in damage.

Though fall tornadoes are rare in the Midwest, they're not unheard of, according to the National Weather Service, and the Great Lakes' warmth makes weather less predictable. In Ohio, the tornado drew comparisons to a 1999 spring storm in Cincinnati and 1985 twisters that killed 10 and injured 250.
The storms blew in on the tail of Sunday's record highs: Nashville's balmy 81-degree afternoon broke a century-old record.

Typically, Dixie Alley's tornado season runs from the first of October to mid-November. "The abnormality of this particular outbreak was how far north it carried, into Indiana and northwest Ohio," McCarthy says. "Usually second-season tornadoes concentrate no farther north than Tennessee, and mostly in Mississippi and Alabama."

Indeed, during the past few years, the country's second tornado season appears to have intensified. "We started to see it in the late 80s. Northern Alabama had tornado outbreaks on Nov. 15 for three straight years," McCarthy says.

• Material from wire services was used in this report

School Safety and Childrens Survival Kits

School Safety

You may have your emergency preparedness supplies at home, but what if something happens when your child is at school? Is the school prepared for situations that pose imminent danger to your child, like an active gunman or a natural disaster? What if the school must stay in a lockdown situation for an extended period of time? Such incidents are not common, but as with any other emergency, it is important to be prepared for them.

 

What Parents Can Do

 

Parents can ask to review the emergency procedures of their child’s school—many school districts have made these procedures available online. Parents can also emphasize the importance of following these procedures to their children and paying attention during lockdown drills.

 

What Teachers and Administrators Can Do

 

Prepare and practice emergency procedures. Though incidents that require lockdown are rare and the nature of each one is different, having an action plan can make a difference in lives saved. Provide training in lockdown procedures to faculty members and have lockdown drills periodically. Establish clear routes for communication, which is key in any emergency situation.

Provide emergency supplies for each classroom. At the very least, a first aid kit should be supplied. The Guardian Classroom Lockdown Kit includes everything a class of 30 would need to survive a 72-hour emergency. In Stillwater, Oklahoma on September 26, 2012, an eighth-grade student at Stillwater Junior High took his own life with a shotgun. The student was the only one harmed, but until the nature of the situation was determined, the school was in lockdown for four hours. In this and other situations, students and teachers would benefit from the extra food, water, and sanitation supplies provided in one of Guardian’s survival kits sold through Providence Safe Rooms.com.

School emergency preparedness is a team effort, and with procedures, practice, and emergency supplies, many lives can be saved.

 

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajari/3896236143/”>ajari</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>cc</a>www.ProvidenceSafeRooms.comwww.ProvidenceSafeRooms.com

Hunters Survival Kit

PRICED:  Today’s  Special   $  89.00  plus s/h

All items are packed securely in our Deluxe Camo Backpack which contains extra space available for your personal items, a Bright Orange Pull-Out Flag when necessary, and gun straps to free your hands as you travel

This kit contains the following: 

Food and Water: The food and water in this kit will comfortably provide you with adequate nutrition for 72-hours without access to additional supplies. These products have a 5 year shelf life.
6 Boxes of Aqua Blox Water Boxes
6 - 400 Calorie Food Bars (2400 Calories)
10 Water Purification Tablets - each tablet purifies 1 liter of water

Light and Communications: In the event of a power outage caused by you’ll have independent access to your own means of lighting and communication with the outside world.
Dynamo 4-in-1 Flashlight (Flashlight, Radio, Siren, Charger)
30 Hour Emergency Candle
12 Hour Green Emergency Glow Stick
Box of Waterproof Matches

Shelter and Warmth: These supplies will provide protection from outside weather forces. They will protect you from wind, sun, rain, and many other conditions you may encounter.
Emergency Survival Sleeping Bag
16-20 Hour Body Warmer
Orange Poncho with Hood

Tools: These items are designed to be useful in disaster situations. They will be a valuable resource when you find yourself faced with navigation, transport, personal protection, or shelter troubles.
N95 NIOSH Dust Mask
Roll of Duct Tape
50 ft. of Nylon Rope
16 Function Swiss Army Style Knife
6' x 8' Blue Tarp
Waste Bag
Multi-Function Shovel (nail puller, hatchet edge, saw edge, hammer, wrench with 3 different sizes, a bottle opener, a water filled compass, a waterproof container. Inside the waterproof container you will find a box of matches, 2 nails, a sharp razor blade, fishing line, bobbers, and hooks)

Hygiene and Sanitation: When in a disaster situation it is useful to have access to hygiene products. Staying clean can protect against infection, disease, and depression.
24 Piece Deluxe Hygiene Kit
3 Pocket Tissue Packs

First Aid: These first aid items can assist with minor injuries and protect against serious health concerns in disaster circumstances.
Guardian 65 Piece Deluxe First Aid Kit

Other: These items are useful for stress relief and activity in strenuous or challenging circumstances.
Deck of Standard Playing Cards
Note Pad
Pencil

Emergency Survival Kit Information:
This survival kit was designed using advice from experts in the emergency preparedness and hunting industry. It follows guidelines given by government agencies and non-profit preparedness organizations. This deluxe hunters’ survival kit has a retail value of $120.

                       Call Providence Safe Rooms toll free at 855-758-8038
                                             www.ProvidenceSafeRooms.com

Auto Guardian   -  This emergency flashlight is a must have for every automobile. It has 3 bright LED lights with 5 LED warning lights on the side which can flash to attract attention. It has a loud siren to call help to an emergency situation, a seatbelt cutter to help cut out of a jammed seatbelt, and can be used as a hammer to break through glass to escape a car when windows do not work. The built-in magnet can allow an individual to keep the flashlight within arms reach whenever they are driving. This 5-in-1 flashlight is also water-resistant.   Price  $ 17.00

 

State of the art dynamo 4 in 1 flashlight  with 3 bright LEDs, Am/Fm radio, emergency siren, and cell phone charging capabilities with an adapter. The high efficiency dynamo system allows one minute of winding to create enough power for 1 LED to last an hour and a half or 3 LEDs to last for 30 minutes. Winding for 3 minutes will give your cell phone 2-8 minutes of talk time. Great tool for every  home,  automobile,  RV, boat, office, and school. Never needs batteries. Dimensions: 7.5" x 2.3" x 2.3"   Price  $ 19.99

 

This candle is a must in all survival kits. It lasts for 30 hours  and has an adjustable wick. The wick can be drawn up and used as a mini stove.                                                                                                                                     

Price   $ 3.99 ea

                                            Call Providence Safe Rooms at 855-758-8038 

                       

 www.ProvidenceSafeRooms.com

October Tornadoes

Two weak tornadoes touched down in Tennessee on Monday, October 1. It's a reminder that autumn is considered the "second" tornado season.
According to Tornado Expert Dr. Greg Forbes, the second half of October and November can be ripe for severe storms and tornadoes.

 

September's Tornado Tally

 

"In many ways, this is the counterpart to spring, when strong fronts and upper air systems march across the United States," says Dr. Forbes. "When enough warm, moist air accompanies these weather systems, the unstable conditions yield severe thunderstorms and sometimes tornadoes."

(More: Storm Watch | Tornado Safety)
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down near Grant in Smith County, Tenn. Monday, Oct. 1. Another EF-0 touched down in Statesville in Wilson County, Tenn. on the same day. They were part of a system that drenched much of the South on Monday.
The storms downed multiple trees, ripped siding off homes, and overturned lawn sheds. There were no reports of injuries.
Other Monday Tornadoes

• North Carolina: 3 confirmed EF-0 tornadoes
• Alabama: 1 confirmed EF-0 tornado
• South Carolina: 1 preliminary tornado report

Average Monthly Tornadoes

"With 7 preliminary tornadoes on Oct, 1 2012 the question is whether this will be the second month in a row with the most tornadoes on the first day," says Dr. Forbes. "September 1, 2012 was the most active day last month. Most of those tornadoes were from the remnants of Hurricane Isaac."
While most of the largest tornado outbreaks still occur in spring, autumn has its share of storms as well. Dr. Forbes examined the storm statistics from 1967-2012 and found 6 of the 50 largest outbreaks occurred in October and November.
Most of September's tornado outbreaks are due to landfalling tropical systems. October and November's tornadoes are caused by strong cold fronts and lwo pressure systems affecting the South and sometimes the Midwest.

Don't Be Caught Unprepared

AUTO GUARDIAN KIT                                                                                $39.00 plus shipping

Never be stranded without these essential items in the trunk of your car. All of the items in this Auto Kit are packaged safely in our durable auto bag that includes a foldable floor mat.

This kit contains the following:

Light and Communications: In the event of a power outage caused by you’ll have independent access to your own means of lighting and communication with the outside world.
Rechargeable Squeeze Flashlight

Shelter and Warmth: These supplies will provide protection from outside weather forces. They will protect you from wind, sun, rain, and many other conditions you may encounter.
Rechargeable Squeeze Flashlight
Emergency Survival Blanket
Full Body Warmer
Emergency Poncho with Hood

Tools: These items are designed to be useful in disaster situations. They will be a valuable resource when you find yourself faced with navigation, transport, personal protection, or shelter troubles.
Tow Rope - 10 ft.
Car Battery Jumper Cables
Reflective Triangle
Tire Puncture Seal
Oil Funnel

First Aid: These first aid items can assist with minor injuries and protect against serious health concerns in disaster circumstances.
37 Piece Pocket First Aid Kit

Order through  Providence Safe Rooms, Inc.  855-758-8038             http://www.ProvidenceSafeRooms.com

Food Storage Survival Kits Available

This Long Term Food Storage Essentials Kit has all of the food and supplies you will need to keep you safe for an extended period of time. There are 44 Long Term Food Storage Meals in this kit that will feed 1 Person for 14 days or 2 People for 1 Week. It is all packaged in our large Hikers Backpack.

This kit contains the following:

Food and Water: The food and water in this kit will comfortably provide you with adequate nutrition for 72-hours without access to additional supplies. These products have a 5 year shelf life.
11 Cook in the Pouch Meals with a total of 44 meals:

• 28 - Lunch/Dinner Servings
o Stroganoff - 4 Servings (1 Pouch)
o Creamy Chicken Pasty - 4 Servings (1 Pouch)
o Cheesy Lasagna - 4 Servings (1 Pouch)
o Chicken Teriyaki - 4 Servings (1 Pouch)
o Chicken Ala King - 4 Servings (1 Pouch)
o Southwest Bean & Rice (1 Pouch)
o Beef Teriyaki - 4 Servings (1 Pouch)
• 16 - Breakfast Servings
o Honey Glazed Granola - 8 Servings (2 Pouches)
o Multi-Grain Cereal - 4 Servings (1 Pouch)
o Brown Sugar Oatmeal - 4 Servings (1 Pouch)

24 oz. Water Filtration bottle

Light and Communications:In the event of a power outage caused by you’ll have independent access to your own means of lighting and communication with the outside world.
Dynamo 4-in-1 Radio Flashlight
Waterproof Matches

Shelter and Warmth:These supplies will provide protection from outside weather forces. They will protect you from wind, sun, rain, and many other conditions you may encounter.
2 Mylar Emergency Sleeping Bags

Tools:These items are designed to be useful in disaster situations. They will be a valuable resource when you find yourself faced with navigation, transport, personal protection, or shelter troubles.
Portable Cooking Stove (includes 8 Fuel Tablets)
Steel Fork, Knife, & Spoon Chow Kit
16 oz Steel Cup
Pair of Leather Palm Work Gloves
2 Infectious Waste Bags

Hygiene and Sanitation: When in a disaster situation it is useful to have access to hygiene products. Staying clean can protect against infection, disease, and depression.
3 Packs of Pocket Tissues

First Aid: These first aid items can assist with minor injuries and protect against serious health concerns in disaster circumstances.
37 Piece Pocket First Aid Kit

Other: These items are useful for stress relief and activity in strenuous or challenging circumstances.
Deck of Standard Playing Cards
Note Pad
Golf Pencil

Emergency Survival Kit Information:
This Long Term Food Storage Essentials Survival Kit was designed using advice from experts in the emergency preparedness industry. It follows guidelines given by government agencies and non-profit preparedness organizations. This survival kit has a retail value of $250 but you can order now through Providence Safe Rooms for $170.00 with Free Shipping            Preparedness is Keywww.ProvidenceSafeRooms.com

Tennessee Tornadoes: More Deadly than Tornado Alley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHTWKl9ZFLI

Get Started on Your Business Continuity Plan

Get Started on Your Business Continuity Plan

Be Prepared

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Tornado Storm Shelters

When a deadly tornado hits, moving into an interior room or closet of your home – as many guidelines recommend – might not offer enough protection. That's why some homeowners choose to build or buy a family storm shelter.

What kinds of storm shelters are there?

Three main types of shelters are designed to help protect you from severe weather. While each is intended to keep you and your family safe, each has its pros and cons.
Underground: A modern version of the old "storm cellars," these shelters are usually safe from flying debris and high winds. If you have to go outdoors (however briefly) to get inside, it can be difficult to access them if conditions outside are hazardous. Installation can be a problem, depending on the type of rock and the water table in your area.
In-residence: These act more like fortified closets, so they are more accessible when a tornado is imminent. They are usually built into a new house using reinforced concrete, reinforced masonry or wood/steel combinations. Building one into an existing house can be difficult and costly. Alternatives include pre-built metal shelters that are not only easier to install, but can be placed almost anywhere in the house.
Community: If a family shelter isn't an option, community shelters can hold multiple families (from as few as a dozen people to several hundred). Commonly used in manufactured housing areas, these shelters are usually above ground – which exposes them to flying debris – but many more lives can be saved.

What's the best storm shelter?

There's no one authority to tell you what the best storm shelter is, nor can the federal government endorse a specific type of storm shelter as being "the best." However, safety standards for storm shelters and shelter components have been established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that you will be protected in most tornadoes, while the National Storm Shelter Association has also established a shelter standard.
The Wind Science and Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University performs tests on shelters and various shelter components to see if they meet both sets of guidelines. Researchers use high-powered air cannon to shoot wooden two-by-fours at shelter walls and doors to simulate flying debris, while another test uses a wind tunnel to simulate the high winds and stress that walls would encounter. These tests and guidelines can help you choose the shelter that can best protect your family when a real tornado hits.

FEMA guidelines

The following rules are only a few of the federal guidelines established by FEMA. More information, including building plans, materials and more is available either by calling 1-888-565-3896 and requesting publication FEMA 320 ("Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your House").
High winds: Tested with a 3-second gust of 250 mph.

• Walls, doors and ceilings must be able to withstand the peak wind velocity without buckling or separating.
• The shelter cannot overturn or slide.

Debris: Tested with a 15 lb. two-by-four wooden board propelled at 100 mph (250 mph wind equivalent)

• The walls and ceiling of a shelter must resist penetration by a test object.

Other requirements:

• Shelters must have a protected ventilation system.
• Shelters should have at least one fire extinguisher, flashlights, a first-aid kit, 8 hours' supply of drinking water, and a NOAA weather radio.

Additional requirements for underground shelters:

• Shelters must be watertight and resist flotation due to saturated soil.
• Shelters must contain a transmitter of some sort to signal the location of the shelter to emergency personnel, should debris trap shelter occupants.

Where can I find more information?

The National Storm Shelter Industry standard is available at: http://www.nssa.cc
Texas Tech's Wind Science and Engineering Research Center explains the testing process and has a number of links: http://www.wind.ttu.edu

Source: National Weather Service, Huntsville, Ala.www.ProvidenceSafeRooms.com

Attitude is Everything!

Check this out, friends.  In a time where things are tough and we are all experiencing worries, sadness, financial woes or insecurities, this gives a new perspective.  Enjoy!

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2V8KwU/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4HGQHgeFE

Dealers Wanted

Dealers Wanted - Dealerships Available in AL, IO, IL, IN, KS, KY, MS

Elephant Sanctuary to honor memory of dog | WLAC Local News

Elephant Sanctuary to honor memory of dog | WLAC Local News: The Elephant Sanctuary will honor the memory of a stray dog who befriended the site's founding elephant Tarra.

Texas Tech Storm Shelter Testing / Providence Safe Rooms

Rutherford County Registers Safe Rooms and Storm Shelters - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

Rutherford County Registers Safe Rooms and Storm Shelters - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

http://youtu.be/EtyFGi6Tk-w

FEMA Specialists Offer Rebuilding Advice

Athens, LaFollette and McMinnville displays open Sunday, April 8

Release Date: April 5, 2012
Release Number: 4060-017
» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in Athens, LaFollette and McMinnville to provide free rebuilding information Sunday, April 8, through Saturday, April 14.
FEMA mitigation advisors will be available at the Athens and McMinnville locations Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will be available at the LaFollette location Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours for all three locations Monday through Friday are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1751 South Congress Parkway
Athens, TN 37303
Lowe’s Home Improvement
2444 Jacksboro Pike
LaFollette, TN 37766
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1339 Smithville Hwy - Suite 10
McMinnville, TN 37110

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20120223/US.SCI.Tornado.Prediction/?cid=hero_media

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20120223/US.SCI.Tornado.Prediction/?cid=hero_media