FEMA Blog

Weather Outlook 
This evening, NOAA is forecasting a slight risk for severe thunderstorms that can produce tornadoes for portions of the Central Plains. We urge residents in this area to monitor weather conditions and listen to NOAA weather radios.  Here are some terms you should be familiar with if watches or warnings are issued in your area:

Thunderstorms can bring heavy rains, winds, and lightning. If you hear thunder, seek shelter indoors. Stay away from doors and windows, and move to an interior room or basement.

• Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. 
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm.

If a tornado is possible in your area, go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Do not open windows.

• Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. 
• Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.

Visit www.ready.gov/tornadoes or http://m.fema.gov/ on your mobile phone for more tips on what to do before, during and after severe weather.

Additionally this weekend, heavy rain is expected for parts of the Central Plains and the Middle Mississippi Valley. Temperatures much below normal are expected for parts of the Eastern Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.

Severe drought conditions are expected to continue throughout the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, New England, Central and Southern Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley and parts of the Southwest.

Weather conditions can quickly change, so we encourage everyone to monitor your area's local forecast by visiting weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov on your mobile device.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week Recap
This week marked the first ever National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. In partnership with NOAA, we’ve emphasized the importance of individuals, businesses, nonprofits and families taking the necessary steps to discuss their emergency plans and to know what to do before severe weather strikes.

One year ago today, devastating tornadoes tore through the state of Alabama. Severe weather can strike at any moment without much warning. We encourage you to take the first step toward getting prepared for severe weather by pledging to prepare. Become a force of nature in your community by sharing what you’ve done to get prepared, and help others get ready for severe weather.

Visit www.ready.gov/severeweather and in case you missed them, here’s a recap of all our guest blogs from the week.

• Be a Force of Nature in Your Community 
• Feeling Safe Being Safe is taking Hawaii by Storm 
• A Meteorologist's Perspective on Planning and Preparing for Severe Weather 
• Red Cross: Preparing for the Storm 
• Severe Weather Preparedness Week, What We’re Doing to Prepare 
• ‘Set to Go’ for Anything
• Remembering April 27

Bring Your Children to Work 2012
April 26 was National Bring Your Kids to Work Day. Administrator Fugate took a few moments to speak with the kids who accompanied their parents to work to test how prepared they really were. Surprisingly, the kids all passed and pledged to go home and create or update their family’s communication plan, then spread the word to all of their friends.

Here are a few photos from the events at FEMA Headquarters.

Washington, D.C., April 26, 2012 -- Administrator Craig Fugate answers questions from children via video-teleconference for Bring Your Kids to Work Day.

Washington, D.C., April 26, 2012 -- Children listen and watch as other children from different regional offices ask questions to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate via Video-Teleconference.

Washington, D.C., April 26, 2012 -- FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate encourages children to take an active role in helping prepare their families for an emergency for Bring Your Children to Work Day 2012.

Washington, D.C., April 26, 2012 -- Children got the opportunity to learn about some of the service FEMA's programs and partners provide. In this photo, a representative from Urban Search and Rescue demonstrates some of the equipment used when teams are deployed.

Visit www.ready.gov/kids for preparedness games and activities to help get your kids prepared for emergencies.

The next FEMA Think Tank call will take place on Tuesday, May 15 from Joplin, Mo. The call will focus on recovery and how we can better prepare for a more rapid, cost effective, sustainable and resilient recovery in our communities.

Between December 2011 and March 2012, 10 stakeholder forums were held to discuss the National Disaster Recovery Framework. During these forums federal, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, voluntary and non-governmental organizations, and the private sector discussed challenges and opportunities regarding preparing for, and recovering from, a disaster.

The call will provide an opportunity for the community to discuss what they think is important to consider when planning for recovery and how to rebuild in a cost effective, sustainable way so that the community can be more resilient in future disasters both physically and financially. Other topics may include steps communities can take before a disaster to be more resilient in the future. If you have been involved in the recovery process, what is one piece of advice you would give community leaders to better plan for recovery from a disaster?

I hope you can join us for the May call and encourage you to submit comments or ideas on our online collaboration forum regarding pre-disaster planning that allows for a more rapid, cost effective, sustainable and resilient recovery in our communities.

We will provide the time of the call and the phone number to participate in the Think Tank conference call in the coming days.

La próxima llamada en conferencia del Foro de Compartir Ideas de FEMA se llevará acabo el martes 15 de mayo en Joplin, Missouri. El tema de la llamada será sobre la recuperación y como podemos prepararnos para una recuperación mas rápida, costo efectiva, sostenible y unas comunidades mas resistentes.

Entre diciembre de 2011 y marzo de 2012 se efectuaron 10 foros para conversar sobre el Marco Nacional de Recuperación por Desastre. Durante estos foros el gobierno federal, estatal, local, tribal y territorial, y las organizaciones voluntarias y no gubernamentales en conjunto al sector privado conversaron sobre los desafíos y oportunidades de la preparación y recuperación de desastres.

La llamada proporcionara una oportunidad para que la comunidad pueda comunicar lo que piensa que es más importante al planificar para la recuperación de desastres y formas de como construir costo efectivamente y sosteniblemente para que la comunidad pueda ser más resistente física y económicamente ante desastres futuros. Otros temas pueden incluir los pasos que la comunidad puede seguir antes de que el desastre ocurra, para estar más resistentes en el futuro. Si ha sido parte del proceso de recuperación, ¿qué recomendaciones tiene para los lideres de la comunidad en la planificación de recuperación por desastres?

Espero que pueda unirse a nosotros en la llamada en conferencia de mayo. Le exhortamos a que envíe sus comentarios o ideas sobre la planificación antes de que el desastre ocurra, en nuestro foro de colaboración en Internet.

Estaremos proporcionando la hora de la llamada y el número a llamar para participar en la conferencia en los próximos días.

Today is a day that Alabamians will never forget.

One year ago we lost nearly 250 people as tornadoes tore through our state destroying homes and businesses, disrupting communities, and affecting more than 65 percent of the people living in the state. It was hard to grasp the loss of life and the destruction caused by these fierce storms as we visited community after community.

This past year has been an incredible testament to the resiliency of the people and communities in Alabama. Under the leadership of Gov. Robert Bentley we’re still recovering—and will be for a while—but every day there is progress. In addition to our federal partners that have helped Alabama, we would not be where we are without the many first responders, volunteers and state agencies who have worked tirelessly since the storm to support all the survivors who are determined to recover from one of the worst disasters we’ve ever seen.

I am most proud of the way Alabamians are building back stronger. Six months following the storms more than 4,300 applications were submitted for individual safe rooms and an additional 400 were submitted for community safe rooms. The mitigation staff has been working virtually non-stop to review, process and submit the applications for final approval.

We’ve learned a lot about how critical it is to be prepared. There are countless examples of families who are alive today because they heeded the warnings last year. Those stories are truly inspiring. I encourage others to get prepared before the next severe storm approaches. Simple steps such as knowing the location of safe shelter, putting together an emergency supply kit and making a family communications plan today may save your life tomorrow.

Today, I ask Alabamians to honor the lives lost in last year’s storms and celebrate the journey of the survivors by making sure our friends, families and neighbors are prepared for severe weather. We must take this seriously—to save lives from future storms. We don’t know when the next storm will come, but we must plan now to be ready.

Posted by: Jim Cantore, Broadcast Meteorologist and TV personality, The Weather Channel

Editor’s Note: The views expressed by Jim Cantore do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA does not endorse any non-government organizations, entities, or services.

After last year’s historic year for devastating tornadoes, we all recall the scenes that played out in places like Joplin and Tuscaloosa. But it’s important to note that severe weather occurs year-round.

During the first National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, everybody needs to realize what disasters they are prone to, depending on where they live, and most importantly be prepared for them. After tracking storms for twenty-five years, I’ve learned a few things, both from the storms and from people who survive them.

You can’t prevent severe weather, but everyone can be better prepared. I’ve got my kit set to go at all times, stocked with food, water, a flashlight, batteries, chargers, and plastic bags for important papers. I have to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, because it’s my job, but we should all have a kit and a plan in case we ever need to evacuate quickly. Even my two kids are ready in case there is a disaster. The basement is always set to go with food, water and other key items including helmets to prevent head injuries. If you’re taking shelter from a tornado, put on a baseball helmet to prevent head injuries. You also might not think to bring shoes. Putting shoes in your basement, shelter or kit will protect your feet in case you have to climb out over debris after a storm.

And don’t forget that not only you should be prepped, but you should prepare your home for disaster potential as well. If you’re building or fortifying your home, and you live in an area that’s prone to wildfires, think about options like fireproofing your roof. If your area is prone to hurricanes, tornadoes or windstorms, consider wind resistant roofs.

Severe weather doesn’t always allow us time to get ready – so you should already have a plan. Even tornadoes that tear buildings off their foundations may start as small funnels, and grow within minutes. Have a plan for what you would do if you need to evacuate or take shelter. Remember that people with disabilities, access or functional needs probably need additional time. Plan for this and also for additional items you may need like chargers for electrical equipment, or medications to last several days.

Part of your plan should be communication, too. I wish I could have used Twitter in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina to tweet out that I was safe, because most methods of communication were down. Now, I use Twitter and Facebook a lot as a part of my severe weather arsenal. Technology has come a long way, and there are many ways to be warned of pending doom. So, like most people, you probably have multiple ways of receiving warnings.

Sometimes warnings come from friends or family but can also come from our local TV or radio stations, social media, local sirens, or from NOAA Weather Radios. These radios save lives. I’ve seen it. Just make sure that you seek help if you need it for programming your NOAA Weather Radio. You may want to only receive certain warnings, such as a tornado warning, so that you don’t become desensitized. We know from studies that when people are warned of severe weather, they tend to seek out reassurance of that warning. Please take these warnings seriously, and follow instructions. It’s worth it because we’ve all seen how quickly severe weather can move in.

When I’m tracking a storm, the main thing I’m thinking about is getting people out of harm’s way. I’m wondering, are people getting the warnings and are they heeding them. Even though I’m on the coast, Hurricanes impact areas well inland. An example of that occurred last summer in my home state, Vermont, with devastating flooding from Irene.

Even if it seems unlikely to you that a hurricane will come inland, you should heed those warnings. We have countless examples of this occurring, such as flooding from Irene in Vermont last summer, and Hurricane Katrina.

With every disaster I’m amazed at how survivors and fellow Americans rise to the challenge of supporting the recovery process. One recent story stood out to me from Thurman, Iowa. They experienced an EF2 tornado with winds up to 125 mph. They were fortunate that there were no casualties, but the tornado left much destruction in its path. Within hours, the little town of 238 swelled to 900 with volunteers from neighboring towns and states to help with the clean-up effort. Being weather ready means being ready to help your neighbor as well.

Be a Force of Nature in your own communities. Just like in Thurman, your whole community needs you. Pledge to prepare at The Weather Channel Million Preparedness Pledge, and be an example to others.

Want to learn more? Here are some more of my picks for preparedness links: Ready.gov, Flash.org and DisasterSafety.org.

Editor’s Note: The views expressed by Mayor Bob Dixon do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA does not endorse any non-government organizations, entities, or services.

FEMA and NOAA have partnered to designate April 22-28, 2012, as National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, and is calling upon all Americans in every area of the country to Be a Force of Nature.

The City of Greensburg, Kan., is committed to Being a Force of Nature and pledging to know our risk, take action, and be an example for our families and community by sharing the steps we took. On May 4, 2007, an EF5 tornado leveled 95 percent of our community.

There were 11 lives lost in Greensburg that night. The casualties would have been much larger if we had not heeded the early warning system through the National Weather Service and NOAA. We were also prepared for severe weather since we live in Tornado Alley. Our citizens knew what to do to be prepared. Do you?

What can you do to Prepare?

Knowing your risk, taking action and being an example by sharing your knowledge and actions with your social network are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared and assist in saving lives.

• Know Your Risk: Every state in the U.S. has experienced tornadoes and severe weather, so everyone is exposed to some degree of risk. 
• Pledge and Take Action: Be A Force of Nature by taking the pledge to prepare. When you pledge to prepare, you will take the first step to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes filling out your family communications plan that you can email it to yourself, putting an emergency kit together, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and getting involved. 
• Be an Example: Once you have taken action and pledged, share your story with your family and friends. Create a video and post on a video sharing site, post your story on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, comment on a blog, or any other social media site you’re on. Technology today makes it easier than ever to be a good example and share the steps you took to help us achieve the vision of a Weather-Ready Nation.

Join us today and pledge to prepare for the severe weather in your area.

Nota del editor: las opiniones expuestas por Bob Dixson no representan necesariamente las opiniones oficiales del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional o de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias. FEMA no patrocina ninguna organización no gubernamental, compañías o servicios.

La Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) y la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA, por sus siglas en inglés) se han asociado para designar que desde el 22 hasta el 28 de abril de 2012 es la Semana Nacional de Preparación para Clima Severo y hace un llamado a todas las personas de todas las partes de los Estados Unidos a Ser una Fuerza de la Naturaleza.

La ciudad de Greensburg, Kansas está comprometida a ser una fuerza de la naturaleza y prometer el conocer nuestro riesgo, tomar medidas y ser ejemplo para nuestras familias y comunidad al compartir los pasos que hicieron para estar preparados. El 4 de mayo del 2007 un tornado EF5 afecto el 95 porciento de nuestra comunidad.

Se perdieron 11 vidas esa noche en Greensburg. Pudo haber sido peor sino hubiésemos tenido el sistema de advertencias por medio del Servicio Nacional de Meteorología y NOAA. Tambien estamos preparados para el clima severo ya que vivimos en are a de tornados. Nuestra comunidad tenia conocimiento de que hacer para estar preparado. ¿Y tú?

¿Qué puede hacer para estar preparado?
Conocer su riesgo, tomar acción y ser un ejemplo al compartir sus conocimientos y actos en su conexión social son solo algunos de los pasos que puede hacer para estar mejor preparados y ayudar a salvar vidas.

• Conocer su riesgo: cada estado en los Estados Unidos ha experimentado tornados y clima severo, por lo tanto todos estamos expuestos a cierto nivel de riesgo. 

• Comprometerse y tomar acción: ser como una fuerza de la naturaleza al hacer su compromiso de estar preparado público en listo.gov Cuando usted se compromete a estar preparado, esta haciendo el primer paso para garantizar que usted y su familia están preparados para clima severo. Esto incluye el desarrollo de un plan de comunicación familiar, hacer un equipo de emergencia en conjunto, mantener los documentos importantes y de valor en un lugar seguro y la participación Visite www.listo.gov/ para más información sobre preparación de la familia para clima severo.

• Ser un ejemplo: una vez ha tomado las medidas de acción y esta comprometido, comparta su historia con familiares y amigos. Puede crear un video en You Tube, publicar su historia en Facebook, Linkedlln, Twitter, hacer un comentario en nuestro blog o cualquier otro medio de comunicación social. La tecnología actual hace que sea más fácil que nunca el ser un buen ejemplo y compartir los pasos que hizo para ayudarnos a alcanzar la visión de una Nación Lista para el Clima.

Únase a nosotros hoy y comprométase a estar preparado para el clima severo en su área.

Editor’s Note: The views expressed by Rusty Surette do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA does not endorse any non-government organizations, entities, or services.

After preaching to the public the importance of disaster preparedness for more than a year now, I found myself last month practicing what we preach.

Dangerous and potentially deadly tornadoes were forecasted to move into Oklahoma during the weekend of April 13. While spring storms with tornadoes are nothing new for Oklahomans, sometimes we get that warning from forecasters that the ‘big one’ may be right around the corner. We were warned this wave of severe weather may qualify to be the ‘big one’.

Immediately, we began reviewing our safety tips and shared them with the media and our partner organizations. We urged families across the state to make a plan, get a kit and be informed.

We were doing the same for ourselves. Many of us at the Red Cross office split the week at work and at home preparing for the worst.

In my own apartment, I reviewed a safety plan with my roommates. We gathered pots and pans that could be used to protect our heads in case a tornado took aim on our neighborhood. We purchased batteries for our weather radio, stocked our first aid kits and made paper copies of our emergency contacts.

Back at the office, our volunteers and staff were working to make sure the vehicles were gassed up, our warehouse was stocked with extra food and work and emergency kits were ready to go. Carla Young, Disaster Action Team volunteer, was in charge of making sure our storm shelter had flashlights, food and other essential items in place.



Thankfully, we didn’t have to use any of this here in Oklahoma City.

Sadly, however, our neighbors to the northwest were not so lucky. A large tornado hit Woodward, Okla., shortly after midnight.

Immediately following that storm, the American Red Cross team in Woodward was on the ground and responding to the needs of those who were hurt and displaced. We had relief supplies, people and plans ready to go because we trained and prepared for this kind of event.

Back in Oklahoma City, we were also working around the clock to get our resources and volunteers to Woodward.

Hope and help were immediately available to those hit hard and that’s the lesson all families should take from this -- being prepared builds confidence and confidence can turn tragedy into triumph.

Take it from us here in tornado alley: Get a kit, make a plan and be informed. It makes a world of difference when facing a disaster.

Nota del editor: las opiniones expuestas por Rusty Surette no representan necesariamente las opiniones oficiales del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de los Estados Unidos o de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias. FEMA no patrocina ninguna organización no gubernamental, compañías o servicios.

Después de llevar el mensaje al público sobre la importancia de la preparación de desastres por más de un año, he notado que he estado practicando el mensaje que hemos llevado.

Durante el fin de semana del 13 de abril se hizo un pronostico de tonados peligrosos y potencialmente mortales podían pasar por Oklahoma. La primavera con los tornados no son nada nuevo para las personas de Oklahoma, a veces recibimos la advertencia de que puede ser uno grande. Hemos recibido la advertencia de que esta ola de clima severo puede cualificar apara uno grande.

Inmediatamente comenzamos a revisar los consejos de seguridad y compartimos estos con los medios de comunicación y nuestras organizaciones asociadas. Exhortamos a las familias de todo el estado a que hagan un plan, preparen un equipo de emergencias y estén informados.

Estamos haciendo lo mismo en la Oficina de la Cruz Roja, muchos de nosotros hemos trabajado tiempo medio para prepararnos para lo peor.

En mi apartamento, revisé el plan de seguridad con mis compañeros de apartamento. Reunimos ollas y sartenes para protegernos la cabeza en caso de que un tornado se acerque al área. Compramos baterías para el radio meteorológico, almacenamos el equipo de primeros auxilios e hicimos copias en papel de nuestros contactos en caso de emergencias.

En la oficina, nuestros voluntarios y personal estaban trabajando para garantizar que los vehículos estaban cubiertos, los almacenes de comida estaban con comida adicional, trabajo y equipo de primeros auxilios estaban listos para usarse. Carla Young, Voluntaria del Equipo de Acción en Desastres, estaba asegurándose de que nuestro refugio para tormentas tenía linternas, comida y otros artículos esenciales en su lugar.



Afortunadamente, no tuvimos que utilizar nada de esto en nuestra ciudad de Oklahoma.

Pero lamentablemente nuestros vecinos del noroeste no tuvieron la misma suerte. Un tornado grande afectó a Woodward, Oklahoma poco después de la media noche.

Inmediatamente después de la tormenta, el Equipo de la Cruz Roja de Woodward esta en el área y respondiendo a las necesidades de los que fueron afectados y desplazados. Teníamos suministros para ayudar, personal y planes listos para ser efectuados, ya que nosotros nos preparamos para este tipo de evento.

En la ciudad de Oklahoma trabajamos intensamente para proporcionar los recursos y voluntarios apoyando a Woodward.

Esperanza y ayuda estaba disponible inmediatamente para los que fueron afectados fuertemente. Esta es la lección para las familias deben adquirir de esto, el estar preparados proporciona seguridad y confianza para transformar una tragedia en un triunfo.

Adquiera de nosotros aquí en el área de tornados; Obtenga un equipo, haga un plan y manténgase informado. Hace la gran diferencia al enfrentar los desastres.

Editor’s Note: The views expressed by Tom Skilling do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA does not endorse any non-government organizations, entities, or services.

When it comes to severe weather, a disturbing trend has emerged. Warnings of extreme weather events, such as tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, are being issued with greater accuracy and with once only dreamed-of lead times -- increasingly as much as a week in advance. Yet people are dying, and doing so in frightening numbers. It's a humbling development which has forced those of us in the meteorological and emergency response professions to put every aspect of the severe weather warning and alert process under the microscope.

Attempts are being made to better understand how people receive our alerts and warnings, and just as importantly, to learn how they respond to them. We want to understand why we are losing so many in disasters, which we in the weather profession are able to see coming far enough ahead of time to take evasive and life-saving measures. If ever there was a reason for a call to action, events surrounding the historic tornado outbreaks of the past year has provided it.

The 2011 tornado season included 551 deaths across the U.S., making it the country's fourth mostly deadly year from tornadoes since official records began. Nearly as many people died last year as a result of tornadoes as the 564 who perished in all the twisters of the preceding 10 years combined!

The range of new records involving tornadoes set in 2011 underscores what an incredible year it was on the tornado front in this country. A total of 343 twisters dipped from U.S. skies from April 25-28, establishing a new benchmark for the most tornadoes to occur in a single outbreak. The 199 tornadoes logged on April 27 alone set a new single-day worldwide record; and the day's death toll of 316 was a new record as well. April, 2011's total tally of 751 U.S. tornadoes eclipsed the previous monthly record of 542 recorded in May 2003.

The gargantuan Joplin, Mo., tornado on May 22, 2011, was the deadliest single twister to set down in the U.S. since 1947; the 7th on the books and the costliest single tornado to strike the U.S.

For 32 years, colleagues and I -- severe weather researchers and forecasters alike -- have put together an annual series of programs on tornadoes and severe weather for the public at the Fermilab National Laboratory in Batavia, Ill. Turnouts at these events have been nothing short of phenomenal with audiences numbering in the thousands each year; far beyond anything any of us involved in putting these programs together could have imagined.

Our most recent tornado and severe weather programs (we've presented two programs on a Saturday in April in all but one of the past 32 years) took place Saturday, April 14 -- one week to the day ahead of the 45th anniversary of the Chicago area's most devastating and deadly tornado outbreak -- the so-called Belvidere-Lake Zurick-Oak Lawn, Illi., tornado outbreak of April 21, 1967. A total of 19 Illinois twisters ripped through the area that afternoon and evening killing 58. It's no accident we chose April for our Fermilab programs. April, May and June constitute tornado "prime-time" in this area, though twisters have occurred in every month of the year here.

The public’s incredible response to our Fermilab tornado and severe storm seminars year in and year out, has made one thing VERY clear: people of all ages and from all walks of life recognize the risk twisters and severe thunderstorms pose and are hungry for information on how to deal with the threat these atmospheric behemoths represent, and survive.

A veritable who's who of the severe weather research and forecast community has shared their valuable time, offering those in attendance insights into how these storms develop, how they are able to do what they do and to share life-saving tips on how to, to the extent possible, escape these horrors of nature with as little harm as possible.

In coming weeks my television station, WGN-TV, and I will be joining forces a third consecutive year with Midland Radio and Chicago-area Walgreens drug stores, in an effort to get more NOAA radios into people’s hands across the Chicago area. Midland NOAA weather radios will be offered at reduced cost to Walgreens customers and I hope many will take advantage of this offer.

The importance of NOAA weather radios in delivering warnings and watches in a timely fashion -- particularly in overnight hours when many are sleeping and have no access to or are unaware of weather watches or warnings being aired by conventional radio and television or community siren systems -- was driven home only a few months ago on Feb. 29 in the hours just before daybreak when many in downstate Harrisburg, Ill. were at home asleep. A rare EF-4 tornado, with 170 mph winds, roared through Harrisburg with devastating consequences, killing seven and leveling more than 200 homes and businesses. It's in situations like Harrisburg's that NOAA weather radios can be the difference between life and death.

I will be joined by colleagues from WGN and from our National Weather Service Chicago Forecast Office at the Walgreens Store in Arlington Heights, Ill., at 235 Palatine Road on Saturday, May 5 from 11 to 2 p.m. to sell and, if you'd like, sign NOAA weather radios and, more importantly, help you in programming them so warnings for the county in which you live will activate your NOAA radio to alert you of an impending storm.

This week (April 22-28) has been designated nationwide by FEMA and the National Weather Service "National Severe Weather Preparedness Week". It occurs as we mark the one year anniversary of this country's worst tornado outbreak on record April 25-28, 2011, when a record 343 tornadoes rampaged across the South, killing hundreds.

It's a week which cries out for us to become a Force of Nature -- to take time and give some thought to developing a family communication plan which would permit re-establishing contact in the kind of challenging environment all too often in place in the wake of a devastating tornado. It's also a time to commit to keeping up with the latest weather forecasts, to acquire a NOAA weather radio, which can be programmed to automatically turn on in the middle of the night if a warning is issued for your area, and a time to discuss and share your ideas on the subject of severe weather preparedness and safety with family members and neighbors.

Nota del editor: las opiniones expuestas por Tom Skilling no representan necesariamente las opciones oficiales del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional o de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias. FEMA no patrocina ninguna organización no gubernamental, compañías o servicios.

Cuando se refiere al clima severo, ha ocurrido una tendencia inquietante. Las advertencias de los eventos de clima severo tales como los tornados y tormentas severas, se emiten con mayor precisión. Y como una vez soñado con más tiempo de anticipación y hasta una semana antes de que ocurran. Pero, todavía las personas están muriendo, y en una cantidad alarmante. Es un desarrollo de humildad el que ha obligado a todos los que trabajamos en la meteorología y los profesionales de respuesta a emergencias a evaluar cada aspecto de los avisos y advertencias de clima severo debajo del microscopio.

Se están haciendo esfuerzos para entender mejor como es que las personas reciben nuestros avisos y advertencias e igual de importante, aprender como es que estos responden a los mensajes. Queremos entender por que se están perdiendo tantas vidas en los desastres, por lo cual nosotros que trabajamos en la profesión del clima vemos que los avisos son enviados con suficiente tiempo de anticipación para que las personas tomen medidas para evadir y salvar sus vidas.

La temporada de tornados del 2011incluyo 551 muertes alrededor de los Estados Unidos, haciendo que fuera el cuarto año más de muertes debido a tornados desde que los archivos oficiales comenzaron. El año pasado la cantidad de las personas muertas debido a los tornados se acerca a las 564 personas que murieron por los tornados en los últimos 10 años juntos.

La variedad de archivos nuevos relacionados con los tornados del 2011muestra lo que fue un año increíble referente a los tornados. El total de tornados fue de 343 desde el 25 al 28 de abril, lo que estableció un récord para la cantidad de tornados que se produjeron de un solo brote. Los 199 tornados registrados el 27 de abril solamente establecieron un tiempo record de un solo día en el mundo y la cantidad de muertos de 316 también hizo numero record. En abril del 2011se hizo una cantidad record de un total de 751 tornados en los Estados Unidos, superando el record anterior de mayo del 2003 de 542 tornados.

La gigantesca ola de tornados de Joplin, Missouri del 22 de mayo de 2011, el cual ocasiono más muertes en los Estados Unidos desde el 1947; es el séptimo en los libros y el más costoso tornado que toco tierra en Estados Unidos.

Durante 32 años, mis compañeros de trabajo y yo, al igual que investigadores del clima severo y meteorólogos, tuvimos que hacer una serie de programas anuales sobre los tornados y el clima severo para el público del Laboratorio Nacional Fermilab en Batavia, Illinois. Los cambios de estos eventos han sido fenomenales y la cantidad de público que necesita la información cada año es mas de los que jamás pudimos imaginar toso los que trabajamos en poner estos programas juntos.

Nuestro programa mas reciente de tornados y clima severo (presentamos dos programas en abril y uno en los últimos 32 años) se realizó el sábado 14 de abril, una semana antes del 45 Aniversario del brote de tornados que mas muertes ocasionó en Belvidere, Lake Zurick, Oak Lawn, Illinois en el brote de tornados del 21 de abril del 1967. Un total de 19 tornados ocurrieron en Illinois por toda el área aquella tarde y noche matando a 58 personas. Noes por coincidencia que seleccionamos abril para nuestros programas de Fermilab. Los meses de abril, mayo y junio son la temporada alta de tornados en Chicago, sin embargo los tornados están ocurriendo durante todo el año.

La respuesta del público a nuestros seminarios de tornados y clima severo de Fermilab ha sido increíble, ha establecido claramente que personas de diferentes edades y de diferentes partes reconocen los riesgos de los tornados y clima severo y están en gran necesidad de información sobre como lidiar con las amenazas de estos eventos atmosféricos y sobrevivir.

Los investigadores del clima severo y la comunidad del pronostico del clima han compartido su tiempo al ofrecer sus puntos de vista sobre como estas tormentas se desarrollan, como es que hacen su trabajo y comparten consejos de como salvar vidas y escapar de estos eventos de la naturaleza con el menor daño posible.

En las próximas semanas la estación de televisión WGN-TV y yo estaremos por tercer año consecutivo con la emisora de radio Midland y las farmacias Walgreens de Chicago, en un esfuerzo para concientizar a las personas a que obtengan los radios de NOAA. Loas radio de NOAA se estarán ofreciendo a un precio reducido solo para los clientes de Walgreens y esperamos que todas las personas del área de Chicago tengan beneficio de esta oferta.

La importancia de la radio meteorológica de NOAA es que transmite las advertencias y avisos en el momento oportuno, especialmente en las horas de la noche cuando muchos están durmiendo y no tienen acceso o no están consientes de que se han emitido advertencias y avisos en la radio convencional y televisión o los sistemas de sirenas de la comunidad. El 29 de febrero, estaba manejando al amanecer en el sur del estado de Harrisburg, Illinois cuando mucha gente estaba durmiendo en sus casas, ocurrió un tornado EF, con vientos de 170 millas por hora; el cual paso por Harrisburg con consecuencias devastadoras, siete personas muertas y más de 200 hogares y negocios destruidos. En este tipo de situación es cuando la radio de NOA puede hacer la diferencia entre la vida y la muerte.

Estaré junto asociados de WGN y de la Oficina del Servicio Nacional de Meteorología de Chicago en la tienda de Walgreens en Arlington Heights, Ill., at 235 Palatine Road el sábado 5 de mayo desde las 11am hasta las 2pm para vender y si quiere le firmamos su radio Meteorológico de NOAA para que le avise del las tormentas inminentes. Esta semana del 22 al 28 de abril se ha designado a nivel nacional por FEMA y el Servicio Nacional de Meteorología como la Semana Nacional de preparación para Clima Severo. La cual coincide con el peor de lo brotes de tornados en el país (25 al 28 de abril), cuando 343 tornados arrasaron el sur, matando a cientos de personas.

Es una semana que pide a gritos que seamos como la fuerza de la naturaleza, para sacar un tiempo y desarrollar un plan de comunicación familiar el cual permita restablecer comunicación en medio de un entorno desafiante, con frecuencia en caso de un tornado. También es tiempo de comprometerse en estar al día con los pronósticos del clima y adquirir un radio meteorológico de NOAA, que puede ser programado para que encienda automáticamente en el medio de la noche cuando una advertencia a sido efectuada en su área y tiempo para conversar y compartir sus ideas de como estar reparado para el clima severo y la seguridad con los miembros de la familia y vecinos.

National Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a reminder to appreciate the days of beautiful weather, check emergency kits, and recognize community leaders.

Preparing, reviewing, connecting with neighbors and leading by example are all part of a community approach that is blowing across the State of Hawaii like the trade winds after stifling heat. In communities throughout the state, individuals with a disability are taking the lead in emergency preparedness using the Feeling Safe Being Safe Training Curriculum.

When asked about this training Kathleen Tabata simply said, “It showed me how to do it right.”

I have been watching this tropical storm of change brewing in Hawaii for the last two years. As more and more individuals with disabilities and other access and functional needs become personally prepared for an emergency, many go on to train others and they seem to ‘get it’.

Feeling Safe Being Safe is a ‘train-the-trainer’ approach for sharing personal preparedness information. All of the trainers are individuals with a disability. To become a trainer, each person must themselves be prepared, and then learn how to share the preparedness materials with others.

If you are wondering why people become trainers, Kathy Chang will tell you, “It feels good; training other people and telling them about Feeling Safe, Being Safe.”

These winds of change began to blow in California with the help of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the California Department of Developmental Services. Here in Hawaii they have reached gale force speed thanks to funding from the Federal Administration for Developmental Disabilities, and Department of Health -Developmental Disability Division. We’ve also received encouragement from FEMA, state and county agencies and local service providers.

As the principle investigator of the Emergency Preparedness System of Support, I have enjoyed sitting in on these trainings and watching as individuals with disabilities change the way whole communities think about preparedness. The Feeling Safe Being Safe trainers break down all the barriers with an attitude of “I can, and so can you” and an enthusiasm that comes from knowing how it feels to be safe and feel safe.

Bathey Fong, a trainer on Oahu said, “People are shocked when they find out that I am their trainer. They didn’t know that we, the self advocates teach them. They thought it was ‘normal people’ and that we couldn’t do it, but they see us training them and realize we can do it and we are like them.”

The Feeling Safe Being Safe trainers are systematically teaching members of our communities to be assets and not liabilities, in community preparedness. When community capacity is built by strengthening all members, a truly resilient community begins to emerge. When community preparedness is approached from a perspective of empowerment rather than fear, the winds of change can reach hurricane force.

Feeling Safe Being Safe trainers have gone on to serve on community councils, present at conferences, host webinars and teach first responders about their needs. One of these trainers is Nicole Kelley and she summarized her job saying, “We helped our team, each other. We trained the Easter Seals O’hana (family) group and our classmates, we trained the people in Washington D.C. and they came up and said ‘good job!’”

To the Feeling Safe Being Safe Trainers, DHS, FEMA, ADD and local partner agencies who all support them – in a true community effort – ‘good job’ and Mahalo!

You have the power to save lives… you just don’t realize it yet. You have the power to tell your family, friends and co-workers how critically important it is to be ready for severe weather. Be a Force of Nature.

What does that mean? Here in Wisconsin we’re spreading the word on lessons learned from the terrible storms of 2011. The unimaginable lost of life in the Joplin, Missouri tornado last year should be a wake up call to everyone. A National Weather Service study of that tornado uncovered two disturbing discoveries. Most people did not take shelter when they first heard the tornado warning. And the truly amazing insight into human behavior, people needed between two and nine confirmations of the danger before they took action. Unfortunately the minutes spent looking for that confirmation (going outside and looking in the sky, calling a friend, writing on Facebook, etc) cost lives.

My message is simple: Listen, act and live. When there is a risk of severe weather, listen for the warnings on whatever device works best for you, be it a NOAA Weather Radio, broadcast radio and TV, a smart phone app, etc. When there is a tornado warning take action. Don’t waste your time confirming what you already know. You are at risk and you need to find the safest place possible immediately.

We’re all human. Our brains are wired to search out information. We all want to know if this tornado is real and am I really in danger. But that curiosity is costly. With current technology the average lead time we have between a tornado warning and a tornado touchdown is only 13 minutes. Don’t waste those minutes… Listen, act and live. Those three words helped save the lives of a Park Falls, Wisconsin couple who listened to their emergency weather radio during a tornado outbreak, took action and survived.

On July 27, 2010, Larry and Rita Krznarich were camping on the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage between Park Falls and Mercer. Just after 7pm, their emergency weather radio alerted them that a tornado was coming. They immediately told campers nearby and everyone took cover. Larry was injured in the tornado but Rita and others were ok. Everything at the campsite was destroyed. “There was debris in chunks flying through the air” said Rita Kznarich. “If you’ve ever heard one tree fall you can imagine 50 trees all cracking and falling around you."

Larry and Rita believe that without the warning alert from their emergency weather radio - giving them the chance to seek cover - they would be dead. They are sharing their story in a powerful new TV public service campaign in hopes that more lives can be saved.

In the public service announcement, Rita and Larry urge everyone to buy an emergency weather radio. “Ever since the storm we’ve given weather radios to people as gifts. You can get them for $20 or in that range so there’s no excuse not to have one or many.”

You can see their story on the Ready Wisconsin website.


Be a Force of Nature. Pledge to prepare at www.ready.gov/severeweather. When you are ready, you and your family have a greater chance of survival. And share that life saving message with the people closest to you.

Tienes el poder de salvar vidas…lo que pasa es que no lo has realizado. Tienes el poder de comunicarle a los familiares, amigos y compañeros de trabajo a importancia de estar listos para el clima severo. Se como la fuerza de la naturaleza.

¿Qué significa esto? Aquí en Wisconsin estamos distribuyendo el mensaje de las lesiones aprendidas de las tormentas del 2011. La cantidad inimaginable de personas que perdieron sus vidas en Joplin, Missouri debido a los tornados de año pasado debe ser un llamado para todos. El Servicio Nacional de Meteorología hizo un estudio que mostró descubrimientos preocupantes. Muchas personas no buscaron refugio cuando se hizo la advertencia de tornados. Lo mas impresionante del comportamiento humano resulto ser que las personas necesitan entre dos y nuevo confirmaciones de que hay peligro para actuar. Desafortunadamente los minutos dedicados a tener las confirmaciones (saliendo a fuera a ver el cielo, llamando a un amigo, escribiendo en facebook, entre otros) han costado vidas.

Mi mensaje es simple: Escuche, actúe y viva. Cuando hay un riesgo de clima severo, escuche las advertencias en cualquier dispositivo electrónico que funcione para usted, ya sea un radio del Clima de NOAA, emisora de radio y televisión, una aplicación en su teléfono inteligente, entre otros. No pierda tiempo buscando confirmaciones que ya usted tiene. Su esta en riesgo tiene que buscar el lugar más seguro posible inmediatamente.

Todos somos humanos y nuestros cerebros están diseñados para buscar información. Todos queremos confirmar si el tornado es real y saber si realmente estamos en riesgo. Pero esta curiosidad es costosa. Con la tecnología actual el tiempo desde la advertencia de tornado hasta que el tornado ocurre son 13 minutos. No desperdicie esos minutos…Escuche, actúe y viva. Estas tres palabras ayudaron a salvar las vidas de los que vivían en el Parque Falls, Wisconsin cuando una pareja escucho la advertencia en su radio del clima durante el desarrollo de tornados, actuaron y sobrevivieron.

El 27 de julio de 2010 Larry and Rita Krznarich estaban de campamento en el Turtle- Flambeau Flowage entre el Parque Falls y Mercer. Después de las 7pm su radio de emergencias dio la advertencia de que un tornado se acercaba. Ellos inmediatamente se comunicaron con los demás campistas y buscaron refugio. Larry sufrió heridas debido al tornado pero Rita y los demás están bien. “Todo en el sitio de acampar quedo destruido. Había escombros volando por todas partes” dijo Rita Kznarich. “Si algunas vez has oído ha un árbol caerse, imagínese 50 arboles rompiéndose y cayéndose alrededor suyo.”

Larry y Rita creen que sin la advertencia de su radio de emergencias, el cual proporciono la oportunidad de buscar refugio, ellos estarían muertos. Ellos están compartiendo su historia en una campana de televisión nueva y esperan que mas vidas puedan ser salvas.

El anuncio de servicio publico Rita y Larry instan a todos a comparar un radio de emergencias. “Desde la tormenta hemos regalando radios de emergencia ha nuestros amigos. Puedes obtener uno por $20 o cerca de ese precio, así que no hay escusas para no tener uno o mas.”

Puede ver su historia en el sitio de Ready Wisconsin.

Sea como la fuerza de la naturaleza. Haga el compromiso de estar preparado en www.ready.gov/severeweather. Cuando usted esta listo, usted y su familia tienen mayor posibilidad de sobrevivir. Comparta el mensaje de salvar vidas con las personas más cerca de usted.

Today marks the beginning of the first ever National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. This week, we’re partnering with NOAA to provide information to the public about the hazards of severe weather and steps people can take to ensure they’re prepared.

Every year, thousands of people are impacted by severe weather threats such as tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Last year was the most active year in disasters in recent history, with more than 1,000 weather related fatalities, more than 8,000 injuries.

Every state in the U.S. has experienced tornadoes and severe weather and although some more than others- everyone is at risk and should take steps to prepare for when severe weather strike in your area. Knowing the most common weather hazards in your area, your vulnerability and what actions you should take can save your life and others.

All week long, we’re calling for people across the country to pledge to prepare and to be a force of nature in your community by telling your family, friends and neighbors how you prepared for severe weather. By pledging, you’re taking the first step in making sure you and your loved ones are prepared for severe weather by developing a family communication plan, putting together an emergency kit and getting involved.

We’re asking everyone to be a force of nature by knowing their risk, taking action and becoming an example by sharing what you have done with your family, friends, neighbors and others. I recorded this short video that you can embed on your website to be a force of nature by sharing it with your website visitors.



Visit www.ready.gov/severeweather to pledge, and once you’ve made your pledge, be a force of nature and share your story on your social media accounts and encourage others to pledge to prepare.

If you’re on Twitter, use the hashtag #imprepared and #imaforce to show you’ve pledged and taken steps to get prepared.

Here is the President’s message encouraging the nation to be prepared:

Over the past year, devastating storms have tested the fabric of our Nation. From Tuscaloosa to Joplin, the Midwest to Appalachia, tornadoes have leveled communities and left profound suffering in their wake. Thousands of Americans have endured the pain of loss – loss of a home, a job, a dream, a loved one dearly held and forever missed. Yet, as winds have died and rains eased, communities have banded together and demonstrated a simple truth: that amid heartbreak and hardship, no one is a stranger.

During National Severe Weather Preparedness Week and throughout the year, we renew our promise to meet a national tragedy with a national response. To help save lives, my Administration is partnering with communities across America to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards, including severe weather. We are working to improve the accuracy of tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings, giving individuals more time to get out of harm’s way. And with leadership from agencies across my Administration, we are collaborating with organizations at every level of government and throughout the private and non-profit sectors to strengthen preparedness and build resilience.

Our Nation continues to bear the impact of severe storms. When tornadoes swept across southern States and the Midwest earlier this year, we were touched by the echoes of hardship. Many Americans lost their homes and businesses; dozens lost their lives. As we reflect on these tragic outcomes, let us recommit to doing everything we can to protect our families and our communities. I encourage all Americans to prepare an emergency plan and build an emergency kit with food, water, and essential supplies in case of severe weather. When strong storms are approaching, it is critical that individuals and families take action to secure their safety and the safety of those around them. During a tornado warning, find shelter immediately and await instructions from local emergency management officials.

This week, we rededicate ourselves to strengthening personal and community preparedness before disaster strikes. To learn more about how to minimize risk before, during, and after tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, visit www.weather.gov and www.ready.gov.

–Barack Obama

Hoy es el comienzo de la Semana Nacional de Preparación para Clima Severo. Esta semana nos hemos asociado con la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA, por sus siglas en inglés) para proporcionar información al público sobre los riesgos del clima severo y los pasos que puede a seguir para garantizar que esta preparado.

Cada año miles de personas son impactadas por las amenazas del clima severo tales como los tornados y tormentas severas. El año pasado hubo más de 1,000 muertes y más de 8,000 heridos relacionados con el clima severo.

Cada estado en los Estados Unidos ha experimentado tornados y clima severo, por lo tanto unos mas que otros estamos expuestos a cierto nivel de riesgo y debe seguir los pasos para estar preparado para cuando el clima severo este aspectado en su área. Conocer los riesgos del clima mas comunes en su área, su vulnerabilidad y que puede hacer para estar mejor preparados puede salvar su vida y la de otros.

Toda la semana estamos haciendo un llamado a toda la nación a comprometerse a estar preparados y ser como la fuerza de la naturaleza en su comunidad, al comunicarles a su familia, amigos y vecinos como se ha preparado para el clima severo. Al comprometerse, usted esta haciendo el primer paso para garantizar que usted y sus seres queridos están preparados para clima severo al desarrollar un plan de comunicación familiar, hacer un equipo de emergencia en conjunto y participar.

Le estamos pidiendo a todos a ser como la fuerza de la naturaleza al conocer su riesgo, tomar acción y ser un ejemplo al compartir los que has hecho para estar preparado con la familia, amigos, vecinos y otros. Grabamos este video para que usted lo pueda copiar en su página de Internet y ser como la fuerza de la naturaleza y lo comparta con los visitantes de su página.



Visite www.ready.gov/severeweather y www.listo.gov para comprometerse a estar preparados y una vez lo haga, sea como la fuerza de la naturaleza y comparta su historia en su cuenta de medios de comunicación social y motive a otros a comprometerse a estar reparado también.

Si esta en Twitter, utilice el “hashtag” #imprepared y #imaforce para demostrar a todos que esta comprometido y esta siguiendo los pasos para estar preparado.

A continuación vea el mensaje del Presidente instando a todo el país a estar preparado: (en inglés)

Over the past year, devastating storms have tested the fabric of our Nation. From Tuscaloosa to Joplin, the Midwest to Appalachia, tornadoes have leveled communities and left profound suffering in their wake. Thousands of Americans have endured the pain of loss – loss of a home, a job, a dream, a loved one dearly held and forever missed. Yet, as winds have died and rains eased, communities have banded together and demonstrated a simple truth: that amid heartbreak and hardship, no one is a stranger.

During National Severe Weather Preparedness Week and throughout the year, we renew our promise to meet a national tragedy with a national response. To help save lives, my Administration is partnering with communities across America to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards, including severe weather. We are working to improve the accuracy of tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings, giving individuals more time to get out of harm’s way. And with leadership from agencies across my Administration, we are collaborating with organizations at every level of government and throughout the private and non-profit sectors to strengthen preparedness and build resilience.

Our Nation continues to bear the impact of severe storms. When tornadoes swept across southern States and the Midwest earlier this year, we were touched by the echoes of hardship. Many Americans lost their homes and businesses; dozens lost their lives. As we reflect on these tragic outcomes, let us recommit to doing everything we can to protect our families and our communities. I encourage all Americans to prepare an emergency plan and build an emergency kit with food, water, and essential supplies in case of severe weather. When strong storms are approaching, it is critical that individuals and families take action to secure their safety and the safety of those around them. During a tornado warning, find shelter immediately and await instructions from local emergency management officials.

This week, we rededicate ourselves to strengthening personal and community preparedness before disaster strikes. To learn more about how to minimize risk before, during, and after tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, visit www.weather.gov and www.ready.gov.

–Barack Obama

Weather Outlook

This weekend, there are no significant severe weather threats. The folks at NOAA forecast below normal temperatures for most of the Western U.S. Heavy rainfall is expected across the Mid-Atlantic region and New England. Heavy rainfall over a short period of time can cause flash flooding. If heavy rainfall is expected in your area, be familiar with these terms:

• Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information 
• Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. 
• Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately. 

Visit www.ready.gov/floods for tips on what to do before, during, and after flooding. Be sure to discuss with your family what to do if a flood watch or warning is issued.

Severe drought conditions are expected to continue throughout the Southeast, Central and Southern Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, the Southwest, and portions of the California. Severe drought conditions are also expected for parts of the Mid-Atlantic and New England.

We encourage everyone to monitor your area's local forecast, as weather conditions can often change. Stay up-to-date on the forecast in your area by visiting weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov on your mobile device.

National Volunteer Week Wrap-Up
This week, we’ve been celebrating and thanking the millions of people who donate their time and services and volunteer across the country each year. Here at FEMA, we work closely with many faith-based and community organizations to help individuals affected by disasters. These volunteers play a key role during disaster response and recovery, and volunteers are important members of the emergency management team.

Here are our blogs on National Volunteer Week:

• Volunteers Make a Difference Across the Nation 
• Celebrating National Volunteer Week 

We salute and thank all of those who volunteer their time and services and help the nation each and every day.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week Kickoff
Next week (April 22 - April 28), we’re partnering with NOAA for the first National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. All week, we’ll be providing the public with information about the threat of severe weather and the importance of being prepared for severe weather before it strikes. We’re asking people to pledge to prepare and be a force of nature by telling their family, friends and communities how they prepared for severe weather. Knowing your risks and knowing what steps to take can save your life. Join us all week as we share important information and tips on how you can prepare for severe weather.

Visit www.ready.gov/severeweather for more information and tools you can use to be a force of nature.

White House Twitter Chat 
As part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week, Administrator Fugate and Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, the National Weather Service Deputy Administrator, will be participating in a White House Twitter Chat. On Tuesday, April 24 at 11 a.m. EST, they’ll discuss the dangers of severe weather and the importance of getting prepared before severe weather strikes. You can ask questions and follow the chat on Twitter by using the hashtag #WHChat and following @WHLive.

This week, people across the country are celebrating National Volunteer Week, and at FEMA, we’re happy to join in that celebration. To all the volunteers: thank you. Thank you for volunteering and playing a vital role in strengthening your communities.

Yesterday I spoke to volunteer organizations about how FEMA values and works with the volunteers that step up during and after disasters to help get communities back on their feet. In fact, we can’t talk about community resiliency without mentioning volunteers. They play a key role during disaster response and recovery, and volunteers are important members of the emergency management team.

Last May, a deadly tornado came through Joplin, Missouri and destroyed a high school. The City of Joplin was committed to opening school on time in September – and they did it. They set up in a shopping mall, but it was a fully functioning school and was actually one of the most high-tech schools I had ever seen. All of that was accomplished by a community and its volunteers – including the very people who had survived the tornado.

Simply put, we couldn’t do it without the whole community – including state and local governments, private businesses, and volunteer organizations. When it comes to emergency response, we need to harness all of these groups because they can do the things we can’t. For example, in many instances, a faith-based organization can serve meals to survivors more quickly and efficiently than the government because they know and understand their community, and they have the experience of serving that community long before it was affected by a disaster.

At FEMA, we have taken great strides to work closely with our nation’s volunteer organizations. During disasters, we have volunteer liaisons in our National Response Coordination Center and field offices to ensure we are leveraging the resources of organizations such as the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. And in March, we announced the creation of FEMA Corps, which established a new unit of AmeriCorps volunteers who are solely devoted to FEMA disaster response and recovery activities.

Even though National Volunteer Week is wrapping up, the value you provide to your community is everlasting. If you are involved in a voluntary organization and are seeking ways to get involved, we encourage you to connect with your local government and build those connections before a disaster strikes. You should also seek ways to participate in local exercises.

So to all the volunteers out there: thank you again. We couldn’t do it without you.

It’s National Volunteer Week! Join us in recognizing the amazing volunteers nationwide that donate their time in an effort to give back to their community. Last year more than 64 million Americans spent hours in shelters, faith-based and community groups, schools, and other areas making a difference through service. And more than 3 million Citizen Corps-sponsored volunteer hours were logged for supporting preparedness and response activities representing over 65 million dollars for the year.

I’d like to congratulate volunteers everywhere, in particular the Citizen Corps volunteers that promote preparedness and support first responders before, during, and after disasters. FEMA’s Citizen Corps program provides volunteer opportunities to individuals that want to get involved. Local Citizen Corps Councils build on community strengths to:

• Increase awareness through public education and training 
• Offer opportunities for involvement through volunteer programs 
• Promote whole community engagement through comprehensive coordinated planning efforts

Find a Council in your area and get involved today.

Disaster volunteer opportunities are available for Citizen Corps and its Partner Programs. FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team program educates individuals about preparedness and trains them to support first responders in disasters. Adults and teens can volunteer to make their community a safer and more secure place to live.

There’s also Medical Reserve Corps, Fire Corps, Neighborhood Watch, and Volunteers in Police Service that recruit individuals locally and use their skills to support public health, fire, and law enforcement services.

Citizen Corps is dedicated to engaging the whole community in an effort to ensure the safety and security of jurisdictions across the country. Whether it’s empowering our youth to become the next generation of community leaders or working with the many wonderful organizations dedicated to supporting preparedness efforts nationwide, volunteers DO make a difference!

I’ve talked about the unique training FEMA provides for emergency responders at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Ala. This one-of-a-kind training facility has enhanced the preparedness of local, state and tribal responders from all over the country. We’ve seen these impacts as incidents have played out from New York City to Joplin, Mo over the past few years.

The approximately 90,000 responders a year who receive training through CDP programs benefit from a dedicated and experienced staff. They’ve also benefited from the insight and leadership provided over the past four years by CDP Superintendent Dr. Christopher T. Jones. Dr. Jones is retiring June 2 after more than 32 years of public service.

Dr. Jones became CDP Superintendent in August 2008 and, during his tenure, oversaw the training of more than 336,000 emergency responders from across the nation. He even trained alongside some of those responders as he led the CDP. FEMA, the CDP, and most importantly our nation’s emergency responders have all benefited from Dr. Jones’ unwavering commitment to preparedness. He has the unique ability to see the challenges and unmet needs of responders and how to address them.

More than two years ago he recognized the need for responders to have access to training for biological incidents, so the CDP incorporated nonpathogenic forms of anthrax and ricin into the toxic agent training at the center’s Chemical, Ordnance, Biological, and Radiological Training Facility. The responders who have gone through the training have come away with greater confidence and understanding of their ability to deal with what was previously an unfamiliar threat.

Dr. Jones also saw the value of expanding the CDP’s mass casualty medical surge training by updating the dated emergency department of the Noble Training Facility from a cramped, four-bed trauma bay to a spacious, modern facility that more closely replicates the environment where doctors, nurses and other hospital staff work in their home towns.

The CDP’s new Emergency Department also incorporates technology that allows these doctors, nurses and hospital staff who train at the CDP the opportunity to practice and experience a realistic response to an intense and demanding mass casualty incident.

While we wish him luck in his retirement, FEMA will miss his vision, insight, dedication, and professionalism. And so will the thousands of responders across our nation who have benefited from his leadership at the CDP.

Vermont is a small state with a big tradition of maintaining its historic rural beauty. Tourists flock by the thousands to the state year-round to take in its gentle green mountains and sprawling farmlands interrupted only by silver silos, red barns and white-steeple churches. Many of these visitors come to admire the picturesque covered bridges spanning the state’s rivers and streams.

Before the historic flood of 1927, the number of covered crossings totaled about 500. But the storm completely destroyed more than 200. Over the years, the number of these bridges still standing has dwindled down to about 100.

Tropical Storm Irene damaged or destroyed over a dozen of these bridges, leaving ardent fans of these historic landmarks to do everything they can to restore them. (Some residents are so devoted that when one of the bridges was captured on video during Irene crumbling into the river, audible gasps and cries could be heard from bystanders.)

With help from FEMA’s Public Assistance program, many of these storm-damaged bridges are being repaired and rebuilt in a way that retains their historic character.

“We have the most complete collection of covered bridges per square mile than anywhere else on earth,” says Scott Newman, historic preservation officer at Vermont’s Department of Transportation. “We’re very proud of that collection and we work hard to maintain them in cooperation with the towns, and today with FEMA’s help.”

In recognition of the importance of preserving these portals to the past, whether bridges, homes or other buildings, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program does not require communities to follow the normal federal regulations when rebuilding historic structures. However, owners and applicants are encouraged to make repairs in a way that lessens and prevents disaster damage in the future while retaining historic integrity. Although FEMA cannot reimburse the state for improved renovations, the agency can provide funding to incorporate certain mitigation techniques.

Bowers Bridge, built about 100 years ago in West Windsor, was knocked almost 200 yards from its foundation when huge hay bales careened down the flooded river and lodged against it. Its original deck came through the storm mostly intact, but its roof, which was replaced in the 70s, was badly battered. The top is now being rebuilt just like it was at the turn of the century – by hand in the old English joinery style, using wooden pegs and grooves instead of nails – but will be raised by 18 inches to allow more water to pass beneath it.



The Brown Bridge in Shrewsbury is another bridge that remains part of the community’s colorful past including tales of roaming bandits. Many residents in the community remember having picnics on it as children. Although the Brown Bridge did not sustain much damage – just a few holes from floating debris – the road on one side was destroyed.



To prevent this from happening again, the approach will be rebuilt with a fortified stone wall. Also, special material, known as geosynthetic, will be placed under the pavement to absorb moisture and prevent the soil from buckling the road.

Once these and other bridges are restored, there will be much cause for celebration. Says Shrewsbury resident Michelle Suker, “When I'm coming home I miss my bridge. I have told my girls that the day that we're able to cross the bridge again, I think I'm going to stop and get out and kiss it before we drive across. It will be an emotional moment.”

Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs

A medida que continuamos monitoreando las consecuencias de las tormentas el Administrador Fugate dijo: “Nuestros pensamientos y oraciones están con los que han perdido a sus seres querido en Oklahoma, y los sobrevivientes afectados por estas tormentas. La prioridad de FEMA es apoyar los esfuerzos locales para mantener a los individuos y comunidades seguros y continuamos en coordinación de cerca con los estados afectados. Exhortamos a las personas ha monitorear las condiciones de la tormenta y seguir las directrices de los oficiales locales debido a las amenazas del clima severo y direcciones sobre como evitar las áreas afectadas.”

La importancia de estar preparado nunca se puede subestimar. El sábado, en Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, y Nebraska, se reportaron más de 100 tornados con vientos peligrosos, granizos, y algunas inundaciones. Me gustaría felicitar a los primeros en respuesta a nivel local y estatal en su preparación para las tormentas, asa como su trabajo continuo después de las tormentas para proteger vidas y proporcionar asistencia inmediata durante este tiempo difícil. Se han dicho muchas historias de las personas sobre las advertencias, la compra de radios del clima y el desalojo de los parques de casas móviles o encontrar lugares seguros para refugiarse en sus hogares. Mientras han ocurrido muchos informes sobre las heridas, algunos muertos, los riesgos potenciales podrían haber sido mas graves si no hubiese sido por las medidas de protección que fueron tomadas.

Resaltamos las acciones de los residentes del Parque de Casas Móviles Pinaire en Wichita, Kansas quienes tomaron las advertencias seriamente y buscaron refugio antes de que el clima severo impactara el área. Su respuesta inmediata a las advertencias salvo muchas vidas. Los residentes de casas móviles tienen que planificar con anticipación e identificar sus opciones de refugios seguros ya que las casas móviles, aun cuando están atadas al suelo, no ofrecen protección en caso de tornados y tiene que ser desalojadas. En casos de clima severo las casas móviles pueden volcarse al suelo fácilmente aunque hayan sido “aseguradas”.

Nuestros pensamientos están con todos las personas en las comunidades y áreas rurales quienes sus hogares sufrieron daños o han sido destruidas. Exhortamos a las personas de las áreas afectadas a que continúen escuchando sus radios del clima de NOAA, monitorear los medios de televisión y seguir las instrucciones de los líderes locales para así proteger las vidas y propiedad. Si es posible, tome esta oportunidad para asegurarse de que su equipo de emergencias tenga todo lo más necesario utilizando www.listo.gov y si su hogar esta en un área en la cual el clima severo esta aspectado, infórmese de cómo estar preparado y manténgase alerta.

Si es sobreviviente de una de las áreas afectadas, debe recordar lo siguiente:

• Continuar monitoreando la información de emergencia en su radio o televisión de batería. 
• Utilizar precaución extrema al caminar por las áreas de escombros, líneas eléctricas en el suelo y al entrar a edificios dañados; este alerta a los clavos expuestos y cristales rotos. Utilice zapatos duros o botas, manga larga y guantes al manejar o caminar en o cerca de los escombros. 
• Evitar los riesgos de monóxido de carbón y nunca utilizar los generadores o cualquier otro equipo con gasolina dentro se su hogar, sótano o campamento. 
• Estar alerta sobre posibles riesgos en la estructura, fuga de gas o eléctrica en su hogar y en general, si usted sospecha de algún daño en su hogar, apague la electricidad principal, gas natural y tangues de propano para evitar fuegos, electrocuciones o explosiones. 
• Colgar los receptores de teléfonos desplazados que pueden haber sido derrumbados por los tornados, manténgase alejado de los teléfonos con la excepción de reportar una emergencia.

Puede visitar el sitio de la Cruz Roja para encontrar información sobre las personas afectadas por los tornados y saber cuales son los refugios abiertos de la Cruz Roja.

El Administrador Regional Beth A. Freeman se ha comunicado con los gobernadores de Kansas y Iowa y ha estado en contacto con los oficiales del Departamento de Manejo de Emergencias de Kansas y el Departamento de Seguridad y manejo de Emergencias de Iowa. El Administrador Regional hablo con los Directores de la Agencia de Manejo de Emergencias en los estados de Minnesota, Wisconsin e Illinois y el Administrador Regional Tony Russell ha estado en comunicación constante con el Departamento de Manejo de Emergencias de Oklahoma.

También, los oficiales de enlace del estado destacados en el Centro de Operaciones de Emergencias de Topeka, Kansas y Des Moines, Iowa para coordinar las actividades de respuesta, al igual que los Equipos de manejo de Incidentes han estado destacados en los Centros de Operaciones de Emergencias estatales de Kansas y Iowa para apoyar los esfuerzos de respuesta estatales, cuando es necesario.

Todos estamos listos para proporcionar la asistencia a los estados y sobrevivientes de las tormentas cuando sea necesario. Recuerde que hay pronóstico que clima severo para diferentes partes de todo el país, así que este informado visitando www.weather.gov y http://mobile.weather.gov.