Emergency Weather Information

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms can happen at any time. Severe thunderstorms can bring heavy rains, hail, high winds, lightning, and local flooding. When severe thunderstorms threaten the Saddle River area, listen to local television, radio and weather stations. These sources will provide up to the minute information.

What You Should Do:

  • Get inside a home, large building or car (not a convertible).
  • Do NOT use the telephone or cell-phone, except to call for help. Do NOT use sinks, bathtubs, and water faucets - metal pipes conduct electricity.
  • A car offers some protection from lightning, but can be a dangerous place to be during a flash flood or a tornado.
  • If you are outside and there is no time to reach a safe building or car, follow these rules:
    • Do NOT stand under a tall tree in an open area, on a hilltop, in an open field, or on a beach.
    • Get away from water.
    • Get away from metal equipment such as lawn mowers and tractors.
    • Get away from motorcycles, bicycles, golf carts and scooters. Do NOT hold onto metal objects, such as golf clubs.

Thunderstorm Terminology:

Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Conditions are right for a severe thunderstorm.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: A severe storm has been observed or has been detected by radar. Take cover immediately.

Flooding

Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural hazards. Some floods develop over a period of days, but flash floods can result in raging water in just a few minutes.
    • Tune in to your EAS station for updated information and instructions on what to do.
    • If instructed to, turn off utilities at the main switches or valves. Disconnect electrical appliances, but do not touch any electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
    • If your car stalls in a flash flood area, abandon it! You and your car could be swept away.
    • Keep a stock of food that requires no cooking or refrigeration. Store drinking water in clean, closed containers.
    • Keep a portable, battery powered radio and flashlights in working order, and stock extra batteries. Have first aid supplies and any medicines your family may need.

What to do after the flood?

    • Upon entering the building, use a battery powered flashlight.
    • Before entering a building, check for structural damage. 
    • Watch for electrical shorts and live wires before making certain the main power switch is off. 
    • Throw out any medicine or food that has come into contact with flood water. Do NOT handle any electrical equipment in wet areas. 
    • Report broken utility lines to appropriate agencies.                 

Flooding Terms

Flood forecasts: mean rainfall may be heavy enough to cause rivers to overflow their banks, or melting snow may be mixing with rainfall to produce similar effects.

Flood Warning or forecasts of Impending Floods: describe the affected river, lake or tidewater, the severity of flooding, (minor, moderate, or major) and when and where the flooding will begin.

Flash Flood Watches: mean heavy rains (that may cause sudden flash flooding in specified areas) may occur. Understand that a flash flood can occur without visible sign of rainfall in your area. Be alert to a possible emergency that will require immediate action.

Flash Flood Warnings: mean flash flooding is occurring or imminent along certain streams and designated areas. Move to higher ground immediately.

Winter Storm Terms

Winter Weather Advisory: Winter weather conditions such as cold, ice or snow are expected to delay travel, cause major problems or create other types of dangerous conditions.

Winter Storm Watch: Usually issued 24 hours before the start of the event. Means potential exists for six-inch accumulations or more of snow or ice.

Winter Storm Warning: Usually issued within 12 hours of the start of the event. Means the occurrence of heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain is expected.

Blizzard Warning: Heavy snow, high winds and dangerously low temperatures are expected. Blizzards can cause severe weather conditions, such as zero visibility and life-threatening wind-chill.

Carry a winter car kit that includes the following:

    • Flashlight and extra batteries
    • Tow chain or rope
    • Shovel
    • Bag of sand or salt
    • Extra mittens, coats, hats, boots
    • Windshield scraper
    • Blanket or sleeping bag
    • Emergency flares
  • Pull off the highway, stay calm and remain in your vehicle.
  • Do not set out on foot. A building may seem close but be too far to walk to in deep snow. Set your hazard lights to "flashing" and hang a cloth or distress flag from the window or radio antenna.
  • If you run your car engine to keep warm, open a window slightly for ventilation. This will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Keep snow cleared away from your exhaust pipe.
  • Be careful not to use up battery power. Balance the use of radio, heat and lights.
  • In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, and floor mats for warmth. Use your coat as a blanket.

HEAT WAVES

Heat can affect anyone; however, it is more likely to affect your children, elderly people and people with health problems. For instance, people with a medical condition that causes poor blood circulation and those who take medications to get rid of water from the body (diuretics) or for certain skin conditions may be more susceptible. Consult with a physician if you have any questions about your medication may affect your ability to tolerate heat.
What You Should Do:
  • Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or re-scheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
  • Dress for summer. Lightweight, light colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight and helps your body maintain normal body temperatures.
  • Put less fuel in your inner fires. Foods (such as proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
  • Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty.
  • Persons who (1) have epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver disease, (2) are on fluid restrictive diets or (3) have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.
  • Do NOT drink alcoholic beverages.
  • Do NOT take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
  • Persons on a salt restrictive diet should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.
  • Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces the danger from heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air-conditioned environment affords some protection.
  • Do NOT get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation much more difficult.

Heat Wave Terms

Heat Wave: A prolonged period of excessive heat and humidity. The National Weather Service steps up its procedures to alert the public during these periods of excessive heat and humidity.

Heat Index: A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the actual air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees F.

Heat Cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal muscles or legs. It is generally thought that loss of water from heavy sweating causes cramps.

Heat Exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim's condition will worsen. Body temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer from heat stroke.

Heat Stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled down.

Sunstroke: Another term for heat stroke.

HURRICANES

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones with torrential rains, sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, and blow in a counter-clockwise direction around a center "eye." Hurricane winds can exceed 155 miles per hour and severely affect areas hundreds of miles inland. Hurricanes are rated on a 1 to 5 scale, with 1 being the weakest. Category 3, 4, and 5 storms are considered major storms.
What You Should Do:
  • Listen for information and instructions on radio, television or NOAA Weather Radio.
  • Inventory personal property.
  • Secure all essential records and valuable documents in a safe water-tight place.
  • Moor your boat securely.
  • Shutter, board or tape windows.
  • Refill prescription medications, secure credit cards and cash.
  • If your job requires you to work during a storm, make sure that at least one adult will be with children, the elderly or those with special needs.
  • Prepare to bring inside lawn furniture and other loose lightweight objects such as garbage cans, garden tools, propane grills, and children's toys.
  • Check batteries and stock up on canned foods, first aid supplies, drinking water and medications.
  • Make arrangements for pets. Pets may not be allowed in shelters for health reasons. Contact your local humane society for additional information.
  • Review procedures on how to shut off utilities. Know where gas pilots are located and how heating and air conditioning systems work.
  • Fuel your car, and be prepared to evacuate upon the recommendation of the Saddle River Emergency Management personnel.

Hurricane Terms

Hurricane Watch: Issued for coastal areas when there is a threat of a hurricane to a specific area, generally within 36 hours.

Hurricane Warning: Is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in a specific coastal area in 24 hours or less.Hurricane conditions include sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour and/or dangerous high tides.

TORNADOES

A tornado is a violent storm with whirling winds of up to 300 miles per hour. A tornado spins like a top and may sound like the roaring of an airliner or train. You will be alerted of a tornado by your local EAS Station. Tune to a local station, which will provide updated information and tell you what to do.
  • If you are at home - Go to a corner of your basement and take cover under something sturdy. If your home has no basement, take cover in a small room (such as a closet or bathroom) or under sturdy furniture on the lowest level of the house. Stay away from windows.
  • Do not remain in a trailer or mobile home if a tornado is approaching; take cover elsewhere in a nearby shelter or lie flat in the nearest ditch and cover your head with your arms.

Tornado Terms

Tornado Watch: A tornado may occur in or near your area.

Tornado Warning: An actual tornado has been seen or has been shown by radar. If a tornado warning is given for your area, take cover immediately.

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