When a Tornado Threatens
Even if you live outside "Tornado Alley,"
you are still vulnerable to tornadoes. Follow these steps to protect your family and
your home from disaster.
Decide in advance where you will take
shelter (perhaps a local community shelter,
your own underground storm cellar, or an
in-residence "safe" room). When a tornado
approaches, go there immediately. If your
home has no storm cellar or in-residence
"safe" room and you have no time to get to
a community shelter, head to the centermost part of your basement or home -away from windows and preferably under
something sturdy like a workbench or
staircase. The more walls between you and
the outside, the better.
Become familiar with your community's
severe weather warning system and make
certain every adult and teenager in your
family knows what to do when a tornado
watch or warning sounds. Learn about
your workplace's disaster safety plans and
similar measures at your children's schools
or day care centers.
Study your community's disaster preparedness plans and create a family plan in case
you are able to move to a community shelter. Identify escape routes from your home
and neighborhood and designate an emergency meeting place for your family to reunite if you become separated. Also establish a contact point to communicate with
concerned relatives.
Don't try to ride out a tornado in a manufactured home. Even manufactured homes
with tie-downs overturn in these storms
because they have light frames and offer
winds a large surface area to push against.
In addition, their exteriors are vulnerable to
high winds and wind-borne debris.
Put together an emergency kit that includes
a three-day supply of drinking water and
food you don't have to refrigerate or cook,
first aid supplies, a portable NOAA weather
radio, a wrench and other basic tools, a
flashlight, work gloves, emergency cooking
equipment, portable lanterns, fresh batteries for each piece of equipment, clothing,
blankets, baby items, prescription medications, extra car and house keys, extra eyeglasses, credit cards and cash, and important documents, including insurance policies. (www.weather.com)
Who to Call if the Power Goes Out
Call 764-4456 to report a power outage.
911 lines are for emergency calls only.
There are times when you should call 911
concerning damage to power lines during a
storm or tornado. If you see power lines
down that are arcing or smoking, especially
if these lines are across structures and roadways, call 911 to report them.
Do not
hesitate to call 911 during storms or tornados to report any fire, police, or medical situation.
April 2012
Volume 11, No. 2
NEWS YOU CAN USE FROM FLORENCE UTILITIES
Stormwater pollution is caused by
the daily activities of people everywhere. Each of us has a role in preventing
pollution before it gets into
our storm drainage system. Read inside to see what you can do to help.
By calling before you dig, you could avoid
damaging the environment, interruption of
your service, job/project delays, legal problems, accidents, and injuries.
Even if you live outside "Tornado Alley,"
you are still vulnerable to tornadoes. Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas may see more of
these unpredictable and dangerous storms
than other states, but the rest of the country also gets its share of twisters. Follow
these steps to protect your family and your
home from disaster.
www.florenceutilities.com
STORMWATER POLLUTION
Stormwater pollution is caused by the
daily activities of people everywhere. It
is a myth that pollution of our rivers and
bays is caused mainly by industry or
sewage. Most is caused by the every day activities of people in our city
and suburbs. Individuals, businesses,
local
governments,
and
other
community organizations all have a
role in preventing pollution before it
gets into our storm drainage system.
lutants will protect our rivers and lakes from pollution that may kill fish,
close
beaches,
and
increase weed and algae
growth.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
It is simple! Dump nothing down the
storm drain that you would not swim in
or drink!
• Use less fertilizer on lawns
• Avoid pesticides
Storm drains flow directly to nearby
rivers and streams, not to wastewater
treatment plants. Your city street is really like waterfront property and everything rinsing off your roof, yard, and
driveway goes to the river. Each year
people dump thousands of gallons of
used oil, antifreeze, and other wastes
into storm drains.
Rainwater runs
off streets, lawns, farms, construction,
and industrial sites, and picks up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil and grease,
and many other pollutants on the way
to our
rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.
Reducing the discharge of pol-
• Compost garden trimmings
• Recycle used oil
• Wash your car on the lawn, not on the
driveway or street
• Pick up pet wastes
• Do not litter
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG
The Florence Utilities Gas Department is
a member of the Alabama One Call Line
Location Center. If you are planning on
digging on or around your property,
please call the Alabama Line Location
Center at 1-800-292-8525. This is a free
call, and you need to call two working
days before you start to dig. A representative will come to your location and
locate all underground utilities free of
charge to you.
By calling before you dig, you could
avoid damaging the environment, interruption of your service, job/project delays, legal problems, accidents, and injuries.
Even if you are not a customer of the
Florence Utilities Gas Department, you
still might have gas lines around your
property.
That’s why we are asking
EVERYONE to CALL
1-800-292-8525
BEFORE YOU DIG.
REMEMBER THIS IS A FREE SERVICE TO YOU.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
CITY OF FLORENCE
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
256-760-6350
NOTICE
FLORENCE UTILITIES
MON., M AY 28
WED., JULY 4
WILL BE CLOSED ON
MEMORIAL DAY
INDEPENDENCE DAY