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How can I get emergency information?
If you are concerned about bad weather or other emergencies going on in your area, first turn on your radio or television for more information and instructions. Make sure to always have at least one radio with a battery back-up in case of electrical failure.
Fight the urge to call 9-1-1 for information. If there is an emergency in progress you could be tying up important emergency personnel at a time when they need to be focused on the emergency and performing their assigned duties. It is not the primary function of emergency services dispatchers to act as informal public information officers by giving out information about an emergency or disaster in progress. Often times the information they do have is general in nature because they are not out at the scene of the disaster either. So, unless you have a genuine emergency, please do not use the 9-1-1 service.
One very valuable information resource is the National Weather Service (NWS). This agency is a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which forecasts and issues weather watches and warnings. During an emergency, the NWS issues reports to keep you informed about current weather conditions as well as forecasts of future weather. These reports are read regularly on commercial radio and television stations. Local stations reporting weather include KCOL (1410 AM) News/Talk Radio and Tri-102 (102.5 FM).
The best way to receive warnings from the National Weather Service is by a NOAA Weather Radio. These devices may be purchased inexpensively at many local electronics and appliance stores. They broadcast continuous weather reports from the NWS. These specialized radios also have a warning alert feature. When you place the radio in the warning alert mode, it discontinues broadcasting routine weather information and remains silent until a weather warning is issued in your area. When that happens, the radio emits and alarm tone and broadcasts the warning information. This has proven to be a valuable feature and has saved many lives nationwide, and in particular, areas such as tornado alley, by alerting sleeping people to imminent dangerous weather conditions. The result is that people have the maximum possible lead time to act before the severe weather strikes.
If you have Internet access on your home computer you can also get current weather forecasts, reports, maps and satellite images on the World Wide Web. (Check our Credits & Links page for further information.)
These weather watches and warnings are also relayed to local public safety officials and emergency management personnel at the local emergency dispatch center, who then activate local warning systems to alert the Fort Collins community through the Civil Emergency Alert System (CEAS). The dispatch center will broadcast local emergency information and instructions over your television via the local access channel on TCI Cable Television.
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What do the weather reports mean?
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Weather Report Terminology
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Severe Thunderstorm Watch
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The weather conditions are such that a severe thunderstorm (damaging winds 58 mph or more, or hail ¾ inch in diameter or greater) is likely to develop.
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Severe Thunderstorm Warning
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A severe thunderstorm has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
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Travelers' Advisory
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Ice and snow are expected to hinder travel, but not seriously enought to require warnings.
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Winter Storm Watch
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Indicates there is a threat of severe winter weather in a particular area
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Winter Storm Warning
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Heavy snow (expected snowfall of 4 inches or more in a 12-hour period, or 6 inches or more in a 24-hour period), sleet, or freezing rain are forecast to occur separately or in combination.
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Blizzard Warning
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An advisory when considerable snow and winds of 35 mph or more are expected.
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Severe Blizzard Warning
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An advisory issued when very heavy snowfall is expected, with winds of at least 45 mph and temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
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Tornado Watch
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An advisory indicating that tornadoes may occur in certain areas. Watches specify a time period and an area where tornadoes are possible, and are disseminated to the public through the media: radio, television, and NOAA weather radio.
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Tornado Warning
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An advisory when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Warnings describe the area that could be affected. If a warning is issued and you are in the warning area, take cover immediately.
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Flood or Flash Flood Watch
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An advisory indicating that heavy rains occurring or expected to occur may soon cause floods or flash flooding in certain areas.
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Flood or Flash Flood Warning
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An advisory indicating that flash flooding is occurring or imminent on certain streams or designated areas, and immediate action should be taken by those threatened.
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Urban and Small Stream Advisory
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Flooding of small streams, streets, and low-lying areas, such as railroad underpasses and urban storm drains is occurring.
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When should I call 9-1-1?
When you have an emergency, call 9-1-1 for help. But remember, 9-1-1 is reserved for true emergencies. You certainly should use it to report a fire, to stop a crime, or to save a life. In a disaster, many people will need help and it is critically important to keep available phone lines open for those with true emergencies. So please use discretion when you are thinking about calling during an emergency, or any other time for that matter.
Each non-emergency call to 9-1-1 is equivalent to a false alarm. If someone with an actual emergency can't get through to 9-1-1, or if police, fire, or EMS professionals are tied-up with non-emergency responses, the results could be tragic. In a disaster, emergency personnel are usually stretched thin and can only respond to the most critical incidents.
If you dial 9-1-1 by mistake DO NOT hang up. When the operator answers with, "9-1-1. What is your emergency?" just briefly tell him or her that you dialed the number by mistake. Then wait for the operator to terminate the conversation before you hang up. The police may respond in person, even to accidental 9-1-1 calls just to make certain all is fine. But they always must respond in person to a 9-1-1 hang up. Calling and hanging up, as you can imagine, is a great waste of time and resources. It happens many times a day. To avoid accidentally dialing 9-1-1, do not program an auto-dial phone button for the emergency number. People often auto-dial accidentally when dusting or cleaning their phone, while trying to program 9-1-1 into the auto-dial button, or when small children are playing with the phone.
When you call 9-1-1, the dispatcher will send out the equipment needed for the response, depending upon the nature of the emergency. Other agencies, such as Streets, and Utilities may also be called to respond, once again depending on the nature and severity of the situation.
When a large emergency develops which may develop into a disaster needing greater coordination than currently available, the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) is activated. The OEM Director oversees this group of individuals who have received training in the coordination of emergency operations.
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Will the city bring me sandbags?
Sandbagging can be very expensive, time consuming, and it is not the most effective or dependable way to protect a house from flooding. When news that a flood is likely, people usually want to sandbag because they don't know what else to do. In most cases, you would probably be better off using the available time before a flood to take other flood-proofing measures, such as moving valuable property to higher locations. During an emergency, sandbags are sometimes provided by the city and filled by volunteer or city organizations, but this is not always possible. If you plan to sandbag, you should be prepared with your own supplies.
If used, sandbags should only be considered a small part or last resort in an overall flood plan. You will need to buy sandbags before a flood to be sure you will have them on hand when you need them. Get burlap or plastic sandbags. Other kinds of bags simply won't hold up. Sand and plastic sheeting must also be stockpiled. Sandbagging can be very time consuming. It takes 2 people about an hour to fill and place 100 sandbags, giving you a wall only a foot high and 20 feet long. If you skimp on the bags, you risk putting up a wall that will be knocked over.
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What happens after the emergency?
Private organizations, such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and local church groups are usually on the scene during or immediately after a disaster. These groups help with things that people need right away, such as new clothing, groceries, shelter, medical aid, and counseling.
Some private organizations can help you restore your house after a disaster. They may offer supplies or even volunteers to help you clean up and rebuild. Their services are usually provided free of charge regardless of a person's eligibility for government aid. The American Red Cross provides emergency assistance to people affected by disasters, whether or not the affected area has been declared a disaster area by the Governor or the President. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free and is provided as a gift of the American people. The Red Cross does not receive funding from the government to provide the assistance.
The American Red Cross can help by providing you with a voucher to purchase new clothing, groceries, essential medications, rent, bedding, essential furnishings, and other items to meet emergency needs. The Red Cross can also provide you with a cleanup kit: mop, broom, bucket, and cleaning supplies.
More information is available from the Centennial Chapter of the American Red Cross located at 120 Saturn Drive, Fort Collins. Their phone number is (970) 226-5728.
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