The Carbondale Office of Emergency Management would like to share information from Ready.gov on severe weather preparedness.
Before Severe Weather
- Know your area’s risk of thunderstorms. They can occur year-round and at any hour.
- Download the free FEMA mobile app that provides fast and reliable weather alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS). Like us on Facebook at Carbondale Office of Emergency Management and follow us on Twitter at @CarbondaleEMA for local notifications.
- Identify sturdy buildings close to where you live, work, study, and play.
- Cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home.
- Consider buying surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances, and electronic devices.
- Secure outside furniture.
When a Storm Approaches
- When thunder roars, go indoors. A sturdy building is the safest place to be during a thunderstorm.
- Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of thunderstorms. Be ready to change plans, if necessary, to be near a shelter.
- When you receive a thunderstorm warning or hear thunder, go inside immediately.
- If indoors, avoid running water or using landline phones. Electricity can travel through plumbing and phone lines.
- Protect your property. Unplug appliances and other electric devices.
- If boating or swimming, get to land and find a sturdy, grounded shelter or vehicle immediately.
- If necessary, take shelter in a car with a metal top and sides. Do not touch anything metal.
- Avoid flooded roadways. Turn Around Don’t Drown®. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
After the Severe Weather Passes
- Listen to authorities and weather forecasts for information on whether it is safe to go outside and instructions regarding potential flash flooding.
- Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately by calling 1-800-755-5000 for fallen power lines and 618-457-3275 for fallen trees.