03 Apr Disaster Preparedness: Tornado Season
Tornadoes: Georgia’s #1 Weather-Related Killer
With tornado season underway, we’ve compiled some resources for disaster preparedness and recovery. Tornadoes can strike quickly and without warning, leaving little time to evacuate and protect animals. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some important steps to take in order to prepare for tornado season, including resources from OSHA and other organizations that can help ensure the safety and recovery of both animals and humans.
Tornado Watch vs Warning
A tornado watch means weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop.
A tornado warning means either a tornado is occurring or expected to develop shortly in your area, and you need to take shelter immediately.
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
Know the Signs of a Tornado
Get to know your local tornado warning system: Some communities use sirens, others use a mass notification system, and others depend on media to alert residents to severe storms. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings.
Some tornadoes strike quickly without time for a tornado warning, so it is important to know the signs of a tornado.
Signs that a tornado may be approaching include the following:
- Rotating funnel-shaped cloud
- Approaching cloud of debris
- Dark or green-colored sky
- Large, dark, low-lying cloud
- Large hail
- Loud roar that sounds like a freight train
If you notice any of these signs take cover immediately and stay tuned to local radio and TV stations, a NOAA weather radio, or the internet.
Taken from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Natural Disasters and Severe Weather, Preparing for a Tornado.
Planning and Preparedness
AVMA – Pets & Disasters Resource Page
Make A Plan
Having a predetermined plan can help you stay calm and think clearly during such stressful situations. Communication and cooperation with emergency personnel is also crucial. In the event that you must evacuate, make sure to inform someone of your whereabouts and try to stay in contact with them.
Emergency Kits
Assemble your emergency kit well in advance of any emergency and store in an easy-to-carry, waterproof container close to an exit.
Know your local emergency management system
Get to know your local tornado warning system: Some communities use sirens, others use a mass notification system, and others depend on media to alert residents to severe storms. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings.
Georgia Emergency Management – Find a Location
For practice owners/managers:
These critical steps will help you prepare your veterinary practice for an emergency:
- Identify the risks or hazards your practice might face.
- Quantify the impact these risks may have on your operations.
- Determine how to overcome or mitigate the potential risks.
- Assess available resources you might need to use in an emergency.
- Develop an emergency plan.
- Test, practice, and improve your plan.
Emergency planning for veterinary practices, AVMA
Basic Emergency Plan
- Make paper copies of contact information for any pets currently inside the clinic. Consider placing them in Ziploc bags for water protection.
- Identify where clients and patients will be taken to safely ride out the storm. Additionally, make a plan for fractious or critical patients.
- Keep a stock of standard supplies in your Emergency Kit such as muzzles, leashes, bowls, and blankets.
- Stock your Emergency First Aid Kit with medications and supplies that make sense for your practice. Assemble your emergency kit well in advance of any emergency and store in an easy-to-carry, waterproof container close to an exit.
- Compile a list of your local emergency services and their contact information. Make note of local facilities being used as community recovery locations. Store this in the Emergency First Aid Kit or Emergency Plan Binder.
- Decide when conditions are favorable enough to call an “All Clear”. When the tornado warnings end, it is safe to assess the situation and any damage.
- Once staff, clients, and patients are cared for and safe – notify owners with an update.
- Identify a name for this Emergency Plan and ensure all team members remain knowledgeable on the different protocols for different natural disasters. Clearly identify roles and responsibilities amongst the team members when the Emergency Plan is made effective.