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1. What should I do after a natural disaster strikes?

Although each disaster situation is unique, there are some general guidelines you should follow:

• Check your food and water supplies before using them. Foods that require refrigeration may be spoiled if electrical power has been off for an extended period of time. Also, do not eat food that has come into contact with flood waters.
• Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
• Do not spread rumors about the disaster situation.
• Do not take lanterns, torches or lighted cigarettes into buildings that have been flooded or otherwise damaged since there may be leaking gas lines or flammable material present.
• Follow the advice and instructions of your local government authorities on ways to help yourself and your community recover from disaster.
• If any of your electrical appliances are wet, first turn off the main power switch in your house, then unplug the wet appliance. Allow the wet appliance to fully dry, and then plug in the appliance, and then turn on the main power switch. (never perform these steps if you are wet or in standing water.) If the fuses blow when the electrical power is restored, turn off the main power switch and contact your utility company.
• If you smell gas in your house, immediately exit the house and notify the gas company and the fire department from a neighbor's house. Do not re-enter the home until you are told it's safe.
• Stay away from disaster areas. Sightseeing will only interfere with first aid or rescue work.
• Stay away from fallen or damaged electrical wires, which may still be dangerous. (Consider all wires to be dangerous, including telephone wires.)
• Use extreme caution when entering or working in buildings that may have been damaged or weakened by a disaster, as they may collapse without warning. Also, there may be gas leaks or electrical short circuits in the building.

For questions, contact Emergency Management.

2. What do the various weather watches and warnings mean that are issued by the National Weather Service?

The National Weather Service (NWS) disseminates watches and warnings to help citizens, businesses, and visitors prepare for severe weather. The following are several weather statements released by the NWS:

• Blizzard Warning - This means the NWS expects considerable snowfall with temperatures below freezing, and winds of at least 35 miles per hour. Expect potentially life threatening wind chill, deep drifts, and blinding snow.
• Flash Flood or Flood Warning - This means flooding has been reported or is imminent. Take precautions now.
• Flash flood or Flood Watch - This means flooding is possible in the designated area. If you live in this area, remain on alert and monitor the weather.
• Freezing Rain / Drizzle - This means rain is likely to freeze as soon as it strikes the ground, putting a coating of ice or glaze on highways.
• Thunderstorm Warning - This means severe thunderstorms are occurring. The dangers that can accompany a severe thunderstorm include: flash floods, lightning, straight-line winds and large hail.
• Thunderstorm Watch - This means a storm of significant strength may develop producing large hail or damaging winds.
• Tornado Warning - This means a tornado has been either visually sighted or spotted on weather radar. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, take shelter immediately.
• Tornado Watch - This means that tornadoes are possible in the watch area. If you live in this area you should remain alert for approaching storms and monitor the weather situation.
• Urban and Small Stream Advisory - This means flooding of small streams, streets, and low-lying areas such as railroad underpasses and urban storm drains, is occurring. In flood situations, know where high ground is, abandon stalled cars, never attempt to outrun a flood in your vehicle, and do not drive through flooded areas.
• Winter Storm Warning- - This means severe winter conditions have begun or are about to begin in the warning area. A winter storm usually means snowfall of 6 inches or more in a 12 hour period, or 8 inches or more in a 24 hour period. Stay indoors!
• Winter Storm Watch - This means severe winter conditions such as heavy snow or ice are possible within the next day or two in the watch area. Start to prepare now.

For questions, contact Emergency Management.

3. What should I do if threatened by a tornado?

Windblown debris poses the greatest risk of injury or death from tornadoes. Stay away from windows and avoid the inside corners of a building. Do not open windows because this causes deadly debris to enter! You can be safe by following these tips:

• In a High Rise Building - Go to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Do not use elevators.
• In a Mobile Home - Seek shelter in a sturdy building. If one is not available, crouch low in a dry ditch, ravine, or culvert and cover your head with your hands.
• In schools, nursing homes, shopping centers, and hospitals--Stay away from open spaces with wide, free-span roofs such as dining halls, gymnasiums, and auditoriums. Go to predesignated shelter areas.
• In Your Home - The safest location is in a basement. If you do not have a basement, seek shelter on the lowest floor in an interior small room or hallway (e.g., a closet or bathroom without windows).

For questions, contact Emergency Management.

4. What is a NOAA weather radio?

A NOAA weather radio is a dedicated radio enabling the listener to receive real time weather information provided by the National Weather Service. The information provided includes current weather conditions, local forecasts, travel and recreational forecasts, as well as climatology data. Weather messages are repeated every 4 to 6 minutes and are updated every 1 to 3 hours. (Note: updates occur more frequently in rapidly changing or hazardous weather conditions.)

During severe weather, live broadcasts are made to notify listeners of potential hail, flooding, tornadoes, blizzard conditions, and other weather warnings. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts can usually be heard as far as 40 miles from a transmitter. The latest feature added to the NOAA Weather Radio allows a listener the option of hearing warnings for specific areas, typically a county-area. These tone-alert radios can be purchased at many electronic stores, however it is a good idea to "call around" to confirm which stores actually sell the NOAA radios.

If you are surrounded by tall buildings in a city or you are located in a mountain valley, a good quality antenna may be required for reliable reception. For questions, please contact Emergency Management.

5. How should I dispose of Household Hazardous Waste?

Please visit our resources page for a list of documents pertaining to common household hazardous waste. Veolia's Port Washington facility will also accept some household hazardous waste. For more information, please visit their website.