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Hurricane PreparednessBy State Meteorologist Jeff Jumper
What can we expect this year? Read the Ready PA blog to learn more about hurricanes and tropical storms in Pennsylvania. Recently, NOAA released the new 30-year average of storms. We saw an increase in hurricanes and named storms. Seeing an increase raises the threat level to Pennsylvanians. So, we encourage you to use Hurricane Awareness Week to take a little time each day to ensure you are ready by following the daily topic list below. And be sure to include any changes for the pandemic in your planning. Join us for hurricane awareness and learn how to be prepared. What you can do now:
- Sunday, May 9: Be informed and know what to expect. Visit Ready PA. Learn what to be ready for and hazards in your community.
- Monday, May 10: Know how you will be in the know.Sign up for alerts to know when dangerous weather is expected.
- Tuesday, May 11: Make sure you have what you need. Consider what you would need if you lose power or have to leave your home quickly due to storm damage and Assemble Disaster Supplies. Build a kit by picking up a few items each time you shop.
- Wednesday, May 12: Get an Insurance Check-Up. Make sure all your valuables are adequately covered. Did you know that homeowner’s and renter policies do not cover flooding? And it typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect and can protect the life you've built. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
- Thursday, May 13: Strengthen Your Home. Ensure your home can withstand potential flooding and damaging winds.
- Friday, May 14: Help Your Neighbor. Many Americans rely on their neighbors after a disaster, but there are also many ways you can help your neighbors before a hurricane. Learn about the actions you and your neighbors can take to prepare and recover from the hazards associated with hurricanes.
- Saturday, May 15: Complete a Written Plan. Write it all down and keep it in a safe place.
Read the Ready PA blog to learn more about the changes to the average number of hurricanes and tropical storms in Pennsylvania.
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Stay Safe Near Dams
National Dam Safety Awareness Day occurs each year on May 31 to commemorate the failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on May 31, 1889. The Johnstown disaster was the worst dam failure in the history of the United States, with over 2,200 lives lost. National Dam Safety Awareness Day was created to encourage and promote individual and community responsibility and best practices for dam safety and what steps people can take to prevent future catastrophic dam failures or lessen the impact if a failure was to occur.
There are five things you can do to keep yourself and your families safe.
- Know the area. Check maps or speak with locals to get information about hazards on that waterway. If swimming or fishing, always remain a safe distance from the structure to avoid sudden currents. If kayaking, canoeing, or boating, always portage around the structure or turn around well before reaching the dam to avoid being pulled over.
- Read the signs. Obey all posted signage and barriers in the area, including flood warnings, restricted access signs, portage signs, or other posted signs.
- Dress for danger. Wear a personal floatation device (such as a life jacket) if you are boating, fishing, swimming, or otherwise recreating in or around a waterway.
- Tell someone your plans. Let someone know, such as a friend or family member, when and to where you are heading out, and let them know when you return so they know you are safe.
- If you see someone in trouble, do not enter. Never enter the water yourself to try and help someone. Instead, call 911 and use a remote assistive device, such as a rope or throw bag, to try and pull them back to safety.
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National Building Safety Month
Building codes help protect citizens from disasters like fires, weather-related events and structural collapse. Building codes help reduce property and financial losses, make recovery after a disaster quicker and protect the community.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, International Code Council and other partner organizations work together to ensure building codes are developed, adopted, enforced and promoted nationwide. For more information on National Building Safety Month and how to keep yourself safe, visit here.
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Move Over, Slow Down
Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down and move into a lane that is not next to an emergency response area when an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing and where road crews or emergency responders have lighted flares, posted signs or try to warn travelers.
Act 105 of 2020 was signed on October 29, 2020, and went into effect on April 27, 2021:
- Creates a new point system that imposes two points for failure to merge into the lane not next to the emergency response area.
- Sets fines at $500 for first-time offenders, $1,000 for a second offense, and $2,000 for a third or subsequent offense.
- Requires a 90-day license suspension for a third or subsequent offense. The license suspension also applies to incidents that seriously injure or kill another person. The suspension is six months if the person injured or killed is an emergency service provider or was near a disabled vehicle.
- Sets additional fines of up to $10,000 for violators who injure or kill an emergency service responder or a person in or near a disabled vehicle.
- Doubled fines for several traffic violations when committed in an emergency response area when first responders are present.
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Stay Safe During Storms
As weather forecasters caution about the threat of spring thunderstorms and extremely high wind gusts across much of the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) reminds households of the steps they can take to prepare for, and recover safely from, storm-related power outages.
“Heavy spring rain and high winds can bring down trees, branches and wires, disrupting utility service,” said PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille. “Time spent on planning and preparing before a storm can go a long way toward keeping you and your family safe when severe weather hits.”
Additionally, the PUC cautions residents to give utility crews ample room to perform their repair work – for your protection as well as theirs – and to use extra care when traveling, watching for utility crews working along streets and roads and slowing down in work areas.
During storm emergencies, the PUC continuously monitors utility issues and works closely with the Governor’s Office and the other state agencies involved in Pennsylvania’s coordinated storm response. Across the state, there is extensive behind-the-scenes work when storms are forecast focused on quickly addressing problems and restoring service as rapidly as possible. Utilities are putting their severe weather plans into motion; crews and equipment are being positioned for quick response to outages; and communication with emergency management coordinators is enhanced.
Learn more about Storm Preparation Tips, Power Outage Tips, Safety While Waiting for Power to be Restored and Natural Gas Safety Tips.
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