Be prepared this hurricane season

Photo By Staff Sgt. Timi Jones | Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership captured this infrared imagery showing Hurricane Florence's massive eye. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the storm's center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.  

HORSHAM, PA, UNITED STATES

09.12.2018

Story by Senior Airman Timi Jones 

111th Attack Wing

HORSHAM AIR GUARD STATION, Pa. -- As Hurricane Florence moves toward the East Coast and is slated to start impacting the Carolina’s by Thursday, New Jersey, Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs are not predicted to be immediately affected.

However, storms are unpredictable and circumstances could change. Therefore, people should be prepared in the event of extreme circumstances such as possible flooding, power outages or strong winds.

At the Horsham Air Guard Station, the weather, along with the current storm, is being tracked, said Senior Master Sgt. Lamar Belton, the weather superintendent with the 111th Operation Support Squadron weather unit here.

The forecast is relayed to the 111th Attack Wing’s Emergency Management Office, which then determines if any precaution should be taken to ensure the safety of the base and its Airmen.

With potential hazards possible due to the storm, people should be aware that the biggest loss of life in Pennsylvania is due to flooding, said Senior Master Sgt. Jim Weller, the base emergency manager with the 111th Attack Wing at the Horsham Air Guard Station.

“We’ve had record amounts of rain and spot flooding since July in Pennsylvania,” he said. “People will look at a road and think they can make it. It might appear to just be several inches of water, but you just see the surface of the water and that’s hard to assess. Don’t even chance it.”

The 111th Attack Wing’s emergency management office offered a few tips during September’s National Emergency Preparedness Month and encourages people to be primed ahead of the hurricane:

1. Don’t refuel a hot generator -- Fueling a hot generator is a fire hazard. Shut down the generator and allow it to cool down before refueling.

2. Do not run a generator indoors/in attached garage – Running a generator indoors can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause death.

3. Do not run/install electric generators improperly -- Electric generators should be professionally installed if running through a home panel. Otherwise, run cords from the generator per instructions to avoid fire or electrocution.

4. If you cannot call, text! – Even if your cell phone isn’t allowing you to make calls, it may still be possible to reach someone by text. Have local contacts, as well as out-of-town contacts. Sometimes, it may be easier to reach someone outside of the immediate area who can relay information to your local emergency agencies if necessary.

5. Prepare an emergency go kit – Stock up at least three days’ worth of supplies in case of road closures or store closures. Also, pack a kit to go in the event evacuation is necessary. For tips on what to include in an emergency kit, visit: https://www.fema.gov/…/1390846764394-dc0…/checklist_2014.pdf
(Note: Consider including cash in case credit/debit systems are down, but stores are open).

6. Stay current on road conditions and know the area’s evacuation plan – Visit and register with www.Ready.gov to receive up-to-date information to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies.
7. Guardsmen may be activated – Members of the National Guard can potentially be activated during natural disasters. Make a plan that can still move forward in the event a guardsmen who lives with you gets activated.

For any additional information about preparing for natural disasters, the Emergency Management Office can be reached at [phone]/8233.

• Date Taken: 09.12.2018
• Date Posted: 09.13.2018 10:25
• Story ID: 292575
• Location: HORSHAM, PA, US