Severe Weather Preparedness

FEBRUARY 11 – 15, 2013
Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week

The State of Florida’s Severe Weather Awareness Week is an opportunity for you to learn about the various weather hazards, and how you can prepare for the natural events, that frequently impact the state of Florida.

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The University of Florida and surrounding areas can experience several types of severe weather during different seasons of the year. The information and resources below is intended to increase your emergency preparedness through knowledge and planning. Many of the specifics included were provided by the Florida Hazardous Weather Awareness project of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Lightning

Florida has more lightening deaths than any other state. In fact, lightning kills more people in Florida than all other direct weather hazards combined. Statistically, the most dangerous months for lightning in the state are June, July and August in association the summer thunderstorms.

What to Know

The 30-30 Rule

  • 30 Seconds: Count Count the seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder.  If this time is less than 30 seconds, lightning is still a potential threat. Seek shelter immediately.
  • 30 Minutes:  After the last lightning flash, wait 30 minutes before leaving the shelter.

What to Do

  • Avoid open high ground and isolated large trees.
  • Avoid water (swimming pools, lakes and rivers), beaches and boats.
  • Seek shelter inside a building or an automobile, but not a convertible or a golf cart.
  • Stay away from doors, windows, and metal objects such as pipes or faucets.
  • Monitor your NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio.
  • Use the 30-30 rule for outdoor activity.

If Someone is Hit by Lightning

    • Call 9-1-1. Provide directions and information about the lightning strike and victim(s).
    • Give first aid. Do not delay CPR if the person is unresponsive or not breathing.
    • If possible, move the victim to a safer place. Lightning can strike twice. Don’t become a victim.

You can tell how far away lightning is by counting the seconds between
seeing the lightning flash and hearing thunder. For every five seconds
you count, lightning is one mile away.

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Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms are a common occurrence throughout the state of Florida, especially the interior parts of Florida. They form throughout the year but are most common during the warm season when wind off the coast flows inland during the afternoon. Thunderstorms can produce lightning, damaging winds, heavy rain, hail andtornados.

Thunderstorms are classified as “SEVERE” by the National Weather Service once they contain winds in excess of 58 mph, hail 1 inch in diameter or a tornado. Meteorologists at the Storm Prediction Center may issue a “Watch” if conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms within the next few hours.

What to Know

  • Severe Thunderstorm WATCH = conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorm development. Be aware and monitor weather information.
  • Severe Thunderstorm WARNING = a severe thunderstorm has been sighted or indicated by radar. Take protective actions.

 What to Do

  • Have a Public Alert™ certified NOAA weather radio with battery back-up to receive warnings.
  • If a severe thunderstorm WARNING is issued for your location, move to interior areas away from windows, doors and outside walls.
  • Vehicles, trailers and modular buildings may not provide good protection. Go to a nearby building.
  • If outside, seek refuge in a nearby building.
  • Report campus damages to the University of Florida Police Department (352) 392-1111.

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Tornadoes

Florida tornadoes can form in a variety of ways, and in all seasons, but are often in association with a severe thunderstorm. The greatest numbers of Florida tornadoes occur in June, July and August. These are typically short-live events that can produce minor damage but seldom take lives. Florida’s most deadly tornado outbreaks have historically occurred in the spring during February, March and April. In the state, winter and spring tornadoes are often more powerful because of the presence of the jet stream’s high level winds.

Nationally, large tornadoes tend to occur in the late afternoon and early evening hours following buildup of heat in the lower atmosphere. However in Florida, strong to violent tornadoes are just as likely to occur after midnight as they are in the afternoon. During the late summer and fall, tropical cyclones, especially in the Gulf of Mexico, can spawn tornadoes over the state. What to Know

  • Tornado WATCH = conditions are favorable for tornado development. Be aware and monitor weather information.
  • Tornado WARNING = a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Take protective actions.

What to Do

  • Have a Public Alert™ certified NOAA weather radio with battery back-up to receive warnings.
  • If a tornado WARNING is issued for your location, move to interior areas away from windows, doors and outside walls.
  • Vehicles, trailers and modular buildings may not provide good protection. Go to a nearby building.
  • If outside, seek refuge in a nearby building.
  • Report campus damages to the University of Florida Police Department (352) 392-1111.

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NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio

Each UF department is responsible for placing NOAA Weather Radios in their buildings when reception is available. Units are available locally or in the MyUFL Marketplace. New Weather Radios purchased should carry the Public Alert logo and or the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards logo.

 For programming a NOAA Weather Radio for use inside Alachua County, use the following information:

    • Alachua County SAME Code = 012001
    • Tune to 162.475 Mhz (Channel 4 on most units)

Winter Weather              

The University of Florida’s campus in the Gainesville area is not immune to winter weather and cold temperatures. The average date of the first freeze is December 4th and the average date of the last freeze for the season is February 24th. In total, the Gainesville area averages 16 days per year with low temperatures at freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) or below. Although rare, the area has experienced freezing rain, sleet and even snow.

What to Know

  • Freeze WATCH = sub-freezing temperatures are possible for a minimum of two hours.
  • Freeze WARNING = sub-freezing temperatures are expected for a minimum of two hours.
  • Hard Freeze WATCH = temperatures less than 27 degrees Fahrenheit are possible for a minimum of two hours.
  • Hard Freeze WARNING = temperatures less than 27 degrees Fahrenheit are expected for a minimum of two hours.
  • Wind Chill Advisory = very cold air and strong winds will combine to generate low wind chills which could result in frost bite and hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
  

What to Do

When extreme cold weather is in the forecast, it is important to remember the “5 P’s of Cold Weather Safety.” The 5 P’s are:

  • Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children and the elderly who are the most sensitive to cold weather.
  • Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter to stay in.
  • Protect Plants: Cover cold sensitive plants to protect them from the dangerous temperatures.
  • Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent from freezing and breaking.
  • Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Also, make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.

The Gainesville record for the greatest number of consecutive days with a low temperature at or below freezing is 13. It occurred January 2-14, 2010. The all-time record low recorded in Gainesville is 6 degrees Fahrenheit on February 13, 1899. (Source: National Weather Service-Jacksonville)

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Flooding

Florida experiences a variety of flooding risks throughout the year. Flooding can result from rain associated with slow-moving or stationary frontal systems, tropical cyclones and thunderstorms.

Portions of the UF campus and the surrounding areas can be impacted by “urban & small stream” and “areal” flooding. Urban & small stream flooding refers to the ponding of water on streets, underpasses, low-lying areas, storm drains as well as small creeks and streams.

Areal flooding normally refers to more wide-spread areas and results from a gradual ponding or buildup of water in low-lying areas usually caused by prolonged and persistent moderate to heavy rainfall.

What to Know

  • Flood WATCH = Issued when the potential for flooding exists.
  • Flood WARNING (Areal or Urban & Small Stream Warning) = Issued when flooding is imminent or in progress.
  • Flood ADVISORY (Areal or Urban & Small Stream Advisory) = Issued when flooding is expected to be of inconvenience, but not necessarily life-threatening.

What to Do

  • Avoid already flooded areas. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams.
  • If driving, be aware that the road bed may not be intact under flood waters. Turn around and go another way. Do not drive through flooded roadways.
  • Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to recognize flooding dangers.

A foot of water will cause many vehicles to float. Most flood-related deaths occur at night and are vehicular.

Flood damages are not covered under homeowners’ insurance claims. Consider purchasing flood insurance.

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Wildfires and Smoke               

Wildfires in Florida can occur at all times of the year. On average, Florida experiences the second highest number of wildfires in the nation. Large wildfires can produce smoke and air quality impacts across a wide area including the UF campus.

What to Know

The Alachua County Health Department normally issues public health warnings such as respiratory alerts if smoke from wildfires becomes a significant health concern for the area.

What to Do

Below are tips to follow if smoke from wildfires becomes a concern.

  • Stay indoors. Choose indoor options when air pollution levels are unhealthful. Keep your windows and doors closed.
  • Reduce outdoor activity. Reducing your physical activity in outdoor areas lowers the amount of polluted air your body intakes. Curtail your involvement in outdoor activities and events that require prolonged exposure and strenuous exercise or sports participation.
  • If you suffer from a heart or lung ailment, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she can advise you on treatment or whether and when you should leave the area. Call your healthcare provider immediately if your condition worsens.
  • Stay alert. Listen to local news and weather forecasts and air quality alerts provided. If the air quality in your area worsens take necessary precautions and plan your activities accordingly.

Fire & Smoke Health Concerns FAQ presentation by Florida Department of Health/Division of Environmental Health (Acrobat)

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