Be prepared for summer’s severe weather
By U.S. Sen. Susan Collins
(R-Maine)
They say April showers bring May flowers. But a deluge in June doesn’t leave anything behind except a big mess to clean up. Recent storms dumped more than eight inches of rain across parts of our state. Small streams quickly became rushing rivers, and big rivers like the Androscoggin and the Kennebec roared, spilling their banks in some areas. While crews are still assessing the damage, fortunately, it appears to be relatively minor in most communities.
Staff photos/Scott Mitchell Johnson
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| CARRYING THE BANNER and leading their fellow Presque Isle Middle School sixth-graders along the Presque Isle Memorial Day parade route as they handed out severe weather brochures are, from left: Jared Kilcollins, Storm Bonato and Willie McGirt. |
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| FOLDING BROCHURES they helped create on topics such as blizzards, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods are, from left: RJ Gross, Cameron Lahey, Kasey Haley and Mckenzie Turner. One brochure was designed specifically for children, while a second one was geared toward adults. The brochures tell what the individual severe weather event is, when it typically occurs, what signs to look for, and what to do to keep safe during the event. Presque Isle Middle School sixth-graders handed the brochures out at the Memorial Day parade in Presque Isle. |
June 1st marked the official start of the 2012 hurricane season. As the top Republican on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, I have joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to help promote National Hurricane Preparedness Week.
While severe hurricanes are rare in Maine, unexpected storms like this most recent one are a stark reminder that we always need to be prepared for severe weather whenever, and wherever, it might strike.
During the month of June, FEMA and NOAA are working together to urge all Americans to know your risk. Think about how a hurricane, or heavy rain, might affect where you live and work, and how the weather could affect you and your family. Do you live in an area that’s prone to flooding? Have you thought about how and where you would evacuate if you were instructed to by your local emergency management officials? When you understand your risk, you are more likely to know how to prepare.
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| DEMONSTRATING THE IMPACT of severe winds on a farm setting are Presque Isle Middle School sixth-graders, from left: James Kinney, Austin Moreau and Carter Trombley. The fan was used to simulate a breeze (on the low setting), wind (medium setting) and severe wind (high setting). Sixth-graders in Erin Hoffses’ and Casey Johnson’s classes held the Severe Weather Fair May 31 at the school that was attended by fifth-graders at Zippel and Mapleton elementary schools as a way to educate the students about local severe weather situations. |
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| GREYSON SONNTAG, left, and Emily Wheaton, sixth-graders at Presque Isle Middle School, discuss tornadoes with local fifth-graders at a recent Severe Weather Fair they hosted as part of a service-learning project. Sonntag is shown creating a simulated tornado using a tornado tube connector and two 2-liter bottles. |
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and devastating storms like Hurricane Katrina in 2005, reinforced many of the lessons of preparedness and led to a law that I coauthored along with Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) to strengthen our nation’s capacity to respond to natural disasters as well as terrorist attacks.
The government has established protocols that will help our country through natural disasters, disease pandemics, catastrophic accidents or vicious acts of terrorism. And your household should have them too. We need all Americans to learn how best to respond to an emergency, whatever form it may take.
Don’t wait for something to happen to create a response plan. As we enter the summer months, now is a good time to decide what you and your family would do in case of an emergency. All members of your family might not be together when disaster strikes-where would you meet? Parents could be at work and children at a friend’s house for instance. Consider how you would contact one another.
Different circumstances and emergencies require an important first decision. Do you stay inside or evacuate? Family members should discuss both possibilities. You should understand and plan to get out or shelter in place, and listen to the advice of experts. In some cases, staying put is the safest course while in other disasters, evacuation is essential.
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| ALLISON GUERRETTE, right, demonstrates what a car traveling on a flooded road experiences as part of a Severe Weather Fair hosted by sixth-graders at Presque Isle Middle School as team members, from left, Gage Young and Isaac Madore look on. |
The importance of planning cannot be underestimated. Make an emergency kit for your home. It should include: water, one gallon per person, per day for at least three days; a three-day supply of non-perishable food; a battery operated or hand-crank radio; flashlight and extra batteries; first aid supplies; a whistle to signal for help; moist towelettes, garbage bags and ties; a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities; a can opener; local maps; cell phone with charger. Don’t forget your medications and glasses. If you have an infant, make sure all the proper supplies are in place. If you have a pet, make sure those supplies are included as well.
Knowledge is power so keep abreast of the news and learn about area-specific emergencies that could happen where you live. Contact your local emergency management teams, which have established emergency plans for natural disasters. More helpful information and ideas can be found at www.ready.gov.
Finally, be a good neighbor. Create the blueprint to care for your loved ones but also reach out to neighbors, colleagues, friends and strangers. Every hand will be a helping hand in a crisis.
Learn how to be prepared so that we are ready and our families and our communities are safe.
