Emergency Weather Preparedness

• Severe Thunderstorm: A thunderstorm producing hail that is at least quarter size, 1 inch in diameter or larger, and/or wind gusts to 58 mph or greater, and/or a tornado.
• Severe Thunderstorm Watch:  Outlines an area where an organized episode of hail 1 inch diameter or larger and/or damaging thunderstorm winds are expected during a three to eight-hour period.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning:  This is issued when either a severe thunderstorm is indicated by the radar or a spotter reports a thunderstorm producing hail one inch or larger in diameter and/or winds equal or exceed 58 miles an hour; therefore, people in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately. Severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no warning. They are usually issued for duration of one hour. They can be issued without a Severe Thunderstorm Watch being already in effect. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings will include where the storm was located, what towns will be affected by the severe thunderstorm, and the primary threat associated with the severe thunderstorm warning.
• Tornado Watch: Outlines an area where an organized episode of hail 1 inch diameter or larger and/or damaging thunderstorm winds as well as the possibility of multiple tornadoes is expected during a three to eight-hour period.
• Tornado Warning: Issued when a tornado is indicated by the radar or sighted by spotters; therefore, people in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately. They can be issued without a Tornado Watch being already in effect. They are usually issued for duration of around 30 minutes. A Tornado Warning is issued by your local National Weather Service office. It will include where the tornado was located and what towns will be in its path.
• Particularly Dangerous Situation: The “particularly dangerous situation” wording is used in rare situations when long-lived, strong and violent tornadoes are possible. This enhanced wording may also accompany severe thunderstorm watches for exceptionally intense and well-organized convective windstorms. PDS watches are issued, when in the opinion of the forecaster, the likelihood of significant events is boosted by very volatile atmospheric conditions.
• Hazardous Weather Outlook: Produced by the National Weather Service, frequently issued on a routine basis, to provide information regarding the potential of significant weather expected during the next 1 to 5 days.

Sirens/Alerts

Sirens are activated when either of the following conditions are met:

• Credible threat of a tornado
• Severe thunderstorms with a history of winds in excess of 70 miles per hour

Weather Alert: Continuous cycle – 3 minutes or longer.

There is no all clear siren sounded.

Siren tests are conducted the first Tuesday of every month at 10:00 A.M.

Code Red Alerts are activated when there is:

• Credible threat of a tornado
• Severe thunderstorm has a history of winds in excess of 70 miles per hour.

The CodeRED Emergency Notification System is a high volume – high speed Communication Service available for mass Emergency Notifications. This allows the Spring Valley Police Department to notify the community of severe weather threats within minutes. In order to receive Code Red Alerts, residents, businesses, and schools can click on the OnSolve/CodeRed logo below to enroll. When registering, there are options on how to receive notifications (phone/text/email), and what types of notifications to receive. There is also an opt-out tab for those who do not want to receive the communications from CodeRed. All residents, businesses and schools are urged to follow the link above and make sure their phone number is registered! 

Preparedness

Weather and natural disasters can produce a tremendous amount of damage to property and utilities. Based on those possibilities, the Spring Valley Police Department recommends having a basic supply kit. Ready.gov recommends the following:

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

To assemble your kit store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Maintaining Your Kit

After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
• Replace expired items as needed.
• Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Kit Storage Locations

Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and cars.

• Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
• Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
• Car: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.