Help your first responders by helping yourself

 

November 21, 2015

In a large, serious emergency, travel may be restricted, or businesses closed. If you have what you need, and know how to take care of yourself, you will be freeing up first responders to get where they are most needed, and helping your community weather the storm.

Daily Preparedness Tips from the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

National Weather Service Continues "Winter Weather Awareness Week" with Tips on Winter Weather Preparedness

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
550 AM EST FRI NOV 06 2015

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES THAT SERVE NEW ENGLAND HAVE
DECLARED THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2ND THROUGH 6TH, WINTER WEATHER
AWARENESS WEEK. IN CONJUNCTION WITH WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK,
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN GRAY WILL BE ISSUING PUBLIC
INFORMATION STATEMENTS CONCERNING MANY ASPECTS OF WINTER WEATHER AND
WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS. THIS IS THE LAST IN A SERIES OF FIVE
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENTS TO BE ISSUED THIS WEEK.

...WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS...

IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND, EVERYONE IS POTENTIALLY AT RISK DURING
WINTER STORMS AND COLD WEATHER. THE ACTUAL THREAT TO YOU DEPENDS
ON YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION, THE AMOUNT OF RISK YOU RE WILLING TO
TAKE, AND HOW PREPARED YOU ARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOMETHING
MAY GO WRONG.

BASED ON STATISTICS, THE MAJORITY OF WINTER WEATHER-RELATED
FATALITIES ARE MEN, PROBABLY BECAUSE MEN TAKE MORE RISKS, AND DO NOT
PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOMETHING MAY GO WRONG. THE
MAJORITY OF THE FATALITIES RELATED TO SNOW AND ICE ARE ACTUALLY MEN
OVER 40 YEARS OLD. ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF THE FATALITIES OCCUR IN
AUTOMOBILES WHILE ABOUT 25 PERCENT ARE PEOPLE CAUGHT OUT IN THE
STORM. AS FOR THE HYPOTHERMIA-RELATED FATALITIES, ABOUT 75 PERCENT
ARE MEN, ABOUT 50 PERCENT OF THE FATALITIES ARE PEOPLE OVER 60 YEARS
OLD, AND ABOUT 20 PERCENT OF THE FATALITIES OCCUR INSIDE THE HOME.

...YOUR VEHICLE...

BEFORE WINTER BEGINS, BE SURE THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS READY FOR WINTER
CONDITIONS. CHECK THE ANTIFREEZE AND BATTERY TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN
WITHSTAND NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND S COLD WINTER TEMPERATURES. CHECK
YOUR TIRES TO BE SURE THAT YOU WILL HAVE ADEQUATE TRACTION IN THE
SNOW. AND KEEP YOUR GAS TANK NEAR FULL TO AVOID WATER AND ICE IN
THE FUEL OR FUEL LINES.

TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, TRY TO AVOID TRAVELING IN DANGEROUS
CONDITIONS. DON T TAKE CHANCES. BE PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY
THAT YOU MAY BECOME STUCK AND STRANDED, PARTICULARLY IF YOU DRIVE
ON INFREQUENTLY TRAVELED ROADS. WHEN RIDING IN A CAR, BE SURE TO
HAVE THE APPROPRIATE WINTER CLOTHING WITH YOU. IF YOU GET STRANDED
ON THE WAY TO WHERE YOU RE GOING, YOU WILL NEED THOSE WARM CLOTHES.
IN A STORM, WHETHER BIG OR SMALL, ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO GET WHERE YOU RE
GOING. THE FIRST 1/2 INCH OF SNOW IS SOMETIMES THE MOST SLIPPERY.
SLOW DOWN. WHEN DRIVING, REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE MANY HAZARDS, SUCH
AS BLACK ICE, THAT YOU WON T SEE BEFORE IT S TOO LATE. KEEP ALL YOUR
WINDOWS CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE AND CLEAR SNOW AWAY FROM YOUR CAR S
HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS. BE SURE THAT SOMEONE WHO IS NOT
TRAVELING WITH YOU IS AWARE OF YOUR TRAVEL PLANS. ALSO, CONSIDER
PURCHASING A CELLULAR PHONE IF YOU FREQUENTLY TRAVEL IN ISOLATED
AREAS IN THE WINTER.

IF YOU SHOULD HAPPEN TO BECOME STRANDED IN A STORM OR IN EXTREMELY
COLD CONDITIONS, STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE. RUN THE MOTOR ABOUT 10
MINUTES EACH HOUR FOR HEAT. MAKE SURE THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE IS NOT
BLOCKED AND THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE VENTILATION TO AVOID CARBON
MONOXIDE POISONING. AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, MAKE YOUR VEHICLE VISIBLE
TO RESCUERS BY TYING A RED-COLORED CLOTH TO THE ANTENNA OR BY TURNING
ON THE INSIDE DOME LIGHT WHILE RUNNING THE ENGINE. MOVE YOUR ARMS,
LEGS, FINGERS, AND TOES TO KEEP BLOOD CIRCULATING AND WARM.

...OUTSIDE...

WHEN PLANNING WINTER ACTIVITIES, KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST
FORECAST. BE WILLING TO CHANGE YOUR PLANS IF THE WEATHER IS BAD.
WHEN GOING OUTSIDE IN THE WINTER, ALWAYS DRESS FOR THE OUTSIDE
CONDITIONS, EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO BE OUTSIDE FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES.
REMEMBER, IF YOU HAPPEN TO SLIP AND FALL, YOU COULD BE OUTSIDE FOR
A LOT LONGER THAN YOU HAD PLANNED. ALWAYS STAY WARM, AND WEAR
LAYERED CLOTHING TO TRAP THE BODY S HEAT. IF NEEDED, YOU CAN PUT
ON OR TAKE OFF CLOTHING TO HELP REGULATE YOUR BODY TEMPERATURE. WHEN
OUTSIDE IN THE WINTER, TRY TO AVOID BECOMING OVERHEATED.
PERSPIRATION CAN RAPIDLY COOL THE BODY TO BELOW NORMAL LEVELS.

...YOUR HOME...

YOUR HOME IS LIKELY THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A WINTER STORM.
HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT YOU MIGHT LOSE
HEAT, PHONE SERVICE, ELECTRICITY, AND WATER DURING A STORM. IN
PREPARATION FOR THIS POSSIBILITY, KEEP AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF EXTRA FOOD
AND WATER, AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF ANY
NEEDED MEDICINES. HAVE A BATTERY OPERATED RADIO AND FLASHLIGHTS
READY IN CASE THEY ARE NEEDED, AND HAVE PLENTY OF EXTRA BATTERIES
AVAILABLE. IF POSSIBLE, HAVE AN ALTERNATE SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY OR
HEAT, BUT BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO OPERATE THAT
ALTERNATE SOURCE SAFELY. IF YOU PLAN TO USE AN ELECTRICAL
GENERATOR, MAKE SURE THE GENERATOR IS CONNECTED PROPERLY TO YOUR
HOME S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND THAT SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE
DETECTORS OPERATING PROPERLY TO ALERT YOU TO ANY UNANTICIPATED
DANGERS.

IF YOU DO LOSE POWER TO YOUR HOME DURING A WINTER STORM, BE EXTREMELY
CAREFUL WITH THOSE ALTERNATE SOURCES OF HEAT AND ELECTRICITY. CLOSE
OFF ANY UNNEEDED ROOMS AND BE SURE YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS ARE WORKING
PROPERLY. TOO AVOID CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING, OPERATE ELECTRICAL
GENERATORS OUTSIDE IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA, AND BE SURE THAT THE
FUMES ARE NOT BEING BLOWN BACK INTO YOUR HOME. WEAR LAYERED CLOTHING
TO KEEP WARM AND BE SURE TO EAT PLENTY OF FOOD AND DRINK PLENTY OF
LIQUIDS SO THAT YOUR BODY CAN PRODUCE THE HEAT IT NEEDS TO STAY WARM.

PREPAREDNESS TIP FOR THE DAY:

BEFORE WINTER BEGINS, PUT TOGETHER A WINTER STORM SURVIVAL KIT FOR
YOUR VEHICLE. TAKE AN OLD COAT, OLD CLOTHES, AND AN OLD PAIR OF
BOOTS; PUT THEM ALL IN A DUFFLE BAG; AND THROW THAT DUFFLE BAG IN
THE BACK OF YOUR VEHICLE. ALSO, THROW IN A SLEEPING BAG AND/OR WARM
BLANKETS. HIGH CALORIE, NON-PERISHABLE FOODS SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS
THEY WILL HELP YOUR BODY STAY WARM IF YOU BECOME STRANDED FOR A
PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME.

National Weather Service "Winter Weather Awareness Week" Continues with Definititions of Winter Weather Terms

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
600 AM EST THU NOV 05 2015

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES THAT SERVE NEW ENGLAND HAVE
DECLARED THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2ND THROUGH 6TH, WINTER WEATHER
AWARENESS WEEK. IN CONJUNCTION WITH WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK,
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN GRAY WILL BE ISSUING PUBLIC
INFORMATION STATEMENTS CONCERNING MANY ASPECTS OF WINTER WEATHER AND
WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS. THIS IS THE FOURTH IN A SERIES OF FIVE
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENTS TO BE ISSUED THIS WEEK.

...HIGH WIND, COASTAL FLOODING AND EROSION, AND DENSE FOG THREATS...

IN ADDITION TO SNOW, SLEET, FREEZING RAIN AND RAIN, WINTER STORMS
BRING THE THREAT OF HIGH WINDS AND COASTAL FLOODING TO NORTHERN NEW
ENGLAND. DENSE FOG, CAUSED BY WARM AIR MOVING OVER COLD SNOW-COVERED
GROUND, IS ALSO A FREQUENT HAZARD IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND DURING THE
WINTER AND EARLY SPRING.

...HIGH WINDS...

HIGH WINDS CAN OCCUR BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER MAJOR WINTER STORMS
AND CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DRIVE
A HIGH-PROFILE VEHICLE. IF YOUR VEHICLE STARTS TO SWERVE DUE TO THE
WIND, SLOW DOWN. HIGH WINDS CAN CAUSE SNOW TO BLOW AND DRIFT,
REDUCING VISIBILITIES AND CAUSING SLIPPERY CONDITIONS ON THE
ROADWAYS. ALSO, HIGH WINDS BRING INCREASED DANGER FROM FALLING
TREES, WHICH CAN LEAD TO POWER OUTAGES.

TO ALERT THE PUBLIC TO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WIND EVENTS, THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES HIGH WIND WATCHES, HIGH WIND
WARNINGS, AND WIND ADVISORIES. THESE ALERTS ARE BASED ON THE
FOLLOWING CRITERIA.

HIGH WIND WATCH - SUSTAINED WINDS OF 40 MPH OR GREATER OR
FREQUENT GUSTS TO 58 MPH OR GREATER ARE
POSSIBLE WITHIN THE NEXT 24 TO 48 HOURS.

HIGH WIND WARNING -SUSTAINED WINDS OF 40 MPH OR GREATER OR
FREQUENT GUSTS TO 58 MPH OR GREATER ARE
LIKELY WITHIN THE NEXT 24.

WIND ADVISORY -SUSTAINED WINDS OF 31 TO 39 MPH OR FREQUENT
GUSTS TO BETWEEN 46 AND 57 MPH ARE LIKELY
WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

IN ADDITION, WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES ARE ISSUED WHEN BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW REDUCES VISIBILITIES TO 1/4 MILE OR LESS CREATING A
SIGNIFICANT HAZARD ON THE ROADWAYS.

...COASTAL FLOODING AND BEACH EROSION...

COASTAL FLOODING CAN PRECEDE OR ACCOMPANY MAJOR WINTER STORMS.
STRONG SOUTH, SOUTHEAST, EAST, AND NORTHEAST WINDS CAN CAUSE WATER
TO PILE UP ALONG THE MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE COASTLINES CAUSING TIDE
LEVELS TO RISE ABOVE NORMAL. IN ADDITION TO ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES,
LARGE WAVES ASSOCIATED WITH A STORM CAN CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL BEACH
EROSION ALONG THE COASTLINE.

TO ALERT THE PUBLIC TO THE POTENTIAL FOR COASTAL FLOODING, THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES COASTAL FLOOD WATCHES AND COASTAL
FLOOD WARNINGS. IN DETERMINING THE POTENTIAL THREAT FROM A
PARTICULAR STORM, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONSIDERS THE TIMING
AND HEIGHT OF THE NORMAL TIDES, THE TIMING OF THE STORM, AND THE
EXPECTED STORM SURGE THAT WILL ACCOMPANY THE STORM.

COASTAL FLOOD WATCH - COASTAL FLOODING POSSIBLE WITHIN THE
NEXT 24 TO 48 HOURS.

COASTAL FLOOD WARNING - COASTAL FLOODING LIKELY WITHIN THE
NEXT 24 HOURS.

NOTE THAT BEACH EROSION CAN OCCUR FROM LARGE STORM-GENERATED WAVES
EVEN THOUGH THE TIDE LEVELS MAY NOT BE ABOVE FLOOD LEVELS. IN THESE
CASES, THE LIKELIHOOD AND SEVERITY OF ANY BEACH EROSION IS ADDRESSED
IN THE PUBLIC FORECAST PRODUCT.

...DENSE FOG...

DURING LATE WINTER AND EARLY SPRING, WARM AIR MOVING NORTHWARD FROM
AREAS TO OUR SOUTH, OFTEN ENCOUNTERS THE COLD SNOW-COVERED GROUND
IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND. THIS COMBINATION OF WARM AIR MOVING OVER
A COLD SURFACE OFTEN RESULTS IN THE FORMATION OF DENSE FOG.
PRECIPITATION WILL ALSO ENHANCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF DENSE FOG
FORMATION. MOTORISTS SHOULD BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHEN DRIVING IN
THESE CONDITIONS. VISIBILITIES MAY CHANGE FROM GOOD TO NEAR-ZERO
VISIBILITY IN A MATTER OF FEET. IN SOME CASES, THE FOG MAY BE SO
DENSE THAT IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO EVEN SEE THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. IN
ADDITION, DENSE FOG MAY HIDE OTHER HAZARDS SUCH AS DEER OR MOOSE IN
THE ROADWAY, STOPPED MOTORISTS, OR FLOODING. BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL
AT NIGHT.

TO ALERT THE PUBLIC TO THESE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS, THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES DENSE FOG ADVISORIES. DENSE FOG ADVISORIES
ARE ISSUED FOR CASES WHEN WIDESPREAD DENSE FOG CREATES NEAR-ZERO
VISIBILITY OVER A LARGE AREA.

National Weather Service Winter Weather Awareness Week......including information on terms used to describe winter storms!!!

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
1142 AM EST TUE NOV 03 2015

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES THAT SERVE NEW ENGLAND HAVE
DECLARED THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2ND THROUGH 6TH, WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS
WEEK. IN CONJUNCTION WITH WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK, THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN GRAY WILL BE ISSUING PUBLIC INFORMATION
STATEMENTS CONCERNING MANY ASPECTS OF WINTER WEATHER AND WINTER
WEATHER PREPAREDNESS. THIS IS THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF FIVE PUBLIC
INFORMATION STATEMENTS TO BE ISSUED THIS WEEK.

...WATCH...WARNING...AND ADVISORY CRITERIA FOR WINTER STORMS...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES WATCHES, WARNINGS, AND ADVISORIES
TO ALERT THE PUBLIC TO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WINTER WEATHER EVENTS OR
SITUATIONS. WHILE THE EXACT CRITERIA USED TO TRIGGER THESE WATCHES,
WARNINGS, AND ADVISORIES VARIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, THE
FOLLOWING CRITERIA ARE USED IN MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. NOTE THAT A
WATCH IS ISSUED TO ALERT THE PUBLIC THAT DANGEROUS WINTER CONDITIONS
ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCHED AREA, GENERALLY WITHIN THE NEXT 24 TO
72 HOURS. A WARNING IS ISSUED TO ALERT THE PUBLIC THAT DANGEROUS
WINTER CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN THE WARNED AREA, GENERALLY
WITHIN THE NEXT 12 TO 36 HOURS, OR ARE OCCURRING. AN ADVISORY IS ISSUED
TO ALERT THE PUBLIC THAT WINTER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO CAUSE A
SIGNIFICANT INCONVENIENCE AND MAY BE HAZARDOUS. IF CAUTION IS
EXERCISED THOUGH, THESE SITUATIONS SHOULD NOT BE LIFE THREATENING.

THE FOLLOWING WINTER STORM CRITERIA WILL BE USED FOR ALL OF NEW
HAMPSHIRE AND WESTERN AND SOUTHERN MAINE:

BLIZZARD WARNING

SNOW AND/OR BLOWING SNOW WILL COMBINE WITH STRONG WINDS TO
PRODUCE NEAR-ZERO VISIBILITY. DEEP DRIFTS AND DANGEROUS
WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES OFTEN ACCOMPANY THESE CONDITIONS.
THE EXACT CRITERIA USED FOR THESE WARNINGS INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST FOR 3
HOURS OR MORE.

SUSTAINED WINDS OR FREQUENT GUSTS TO 35 MPH OR MORE...AND
FALLING AND/OR BLOWING SNOW WILL REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO 1/4
MILE OR LESS FOR 3 OR MORE HOURS.

WINTER STORM WARNING

AN AVERAGE OF 6 INCHES OR MORE OF SNOW/SLEET IS
EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

AN AVERAGE OF AT LEAST 4 (BUT LESS THAN 6) INCHES OF
SNOW/SLEET IS EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA. WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORIES CAN ALSO BE ISSUED FOR MIXED PRECIPITATION
EVENTS OR FOR BLOWING SNOW.

ICE STORM WARNING

FREEZING RAIN IS EXPECTED TO CAUSE A GLAZE OF ICE
1/2 INCH OR THICKER.

FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY

FREEZING RAIN IS EXPECTED TO CAUSE A GLAZE OF ICE ON
ROADS AND SIDEWALKS, BUT LESS THAN 1/2 INCH IS EXPECTED.

WHILE THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOES NOT ISSUE WARNINGS OR
ADVISORIES FOR STORMS THAT PRODUCE LESS THAN AN AVERAGE OF 4 INCHES
OF SNOWFALL...THESE STORMS CAN BE DECEPTIVELY DANGEROUS TO MOTORISTS.
IN TERMS OF THE DEATHS THAT ARE LINKED TO THE SNOW STORMS...THE MAJORITY
ARE AS A RESULT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS...AND MANY OF THOSE ACCIDENTS
OCCUR WITH ONLY SMALL ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW. SLOW DOWN AS SOON AS SNOW
BEGINS TO ACCUMULATE. IN ICE OR SNOW - TAKE IT SLOW!

PREPAREDNESS TIP FOR THE DAY:

HEAVY WET SNOW OR A SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATION...ESPECIALLY WHEN
COMBINED WITH WIND...CAN CAUSE TREES OR TREE LIMBS TO FALL ONTO POWER
LINES. IF YOU SEE THESE CONDITIONS BEGINNING TO DEVELOP IN YOUR
AREA...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF A POWER OUTAGE.
PARTICULARLY IF YOU DEPEND ON A WELL FOR WATER, STORE AN AMPLE SUPPLY
OF WATER FOR BOTH DRINKING AND SANITARY NEEDS TO LAST FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

DOES A BLIZZARD WARNING MEAN THAT THERE WILL BE MORE SNOW THAN A WINTER
STORM WARNING?

ANSWER:NOT NECESSARILY. BLIZZARD WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR
SITUATIONS WHERE THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND/OR BLOWING
SNOW...AND WIND WILL CAUSED REDUCED VISIBILITIES (1/4 MILE
OR LESS) FOR 3 HOURS OR LONGER. THIS COMBINATION CREATES
EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. WHILE NO MINIMUM AMOUNT OF
SNOWFALL IS REQUIRED FOR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS, HEAVY SNOW,
NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY, DEEP DRIFTS, AND DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS
ARE OFTEN A PART OF THESE HAZARDOUS WEATHER EVENTS.

Governor LePage Urges Mainers to Watch for Updated Weather Forecasts over Weekend

 

Hurricane Joaquin to Remain Far Off East Coast

October 2, 2015
For Immediate Release: Friday, October 2, 2015 Contact: Maine Emergency Management: Kathleen Rusley, (207) 620-0960; MaineDOT: Jon Nass, Deputy Commissioner, (207) 557-0923
AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage joined Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and other state, county, local and private-sector emergency partners today for a conference call with the National Weather Service (NWS) to get an update on the path of Hurricane Joaquin and its potential impact to the State of Maine. NWS predicts the hurricane will stay well off the East Coast and Maine.
“Although the National Weather Services has confidence in forecasting models showing the storm staying out to sea, I urge Mainers to pay close attention to the latest weather forecasts and warnings as updated information becomes available over the weekend,” said Governor LePage. “Flooding events from heavy rainstorms this past week should serve as a reminder to all of us of the importance of being prepared for an emergency.”
Hurricane Joaquin is classified as a Category 4 hurricane, located near the Bahamas. NWS anticipates the Maine coast will experience strong storm surges and possible rip tides as the hurricane moves further away from the east coast Monday and into mid-week. Citizens should take extreme caution when walking along the coastline.
“Maine should see no significant rain or wind impacts from Hurricane Joaquin,” said Maine Emergency Management Agency Director Bruce Fitzgerald. “However, the National Weather Service is cautioning of very strong surf along the coast of Maine early next week.”
MaineDOT reports all roads closed due to flooding from the storms earlier in the week are open. However, additional repair work on some damaged roads continues.
“The best way for the public to get updated information on road conditions and closures is from the Maine 511 system,” said MaineDOT Commissioner David Bernhardt. “You can sign up for email alerts, as well as view interactive road maps with real time conditions, on the Maine 511 website.”
The Atlantic hurricane season officially lasts until November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center. Winter storm events can begin as early as late October in northern parts of the State.
“This is the time of year in Maine when conditions can become extremely dangerous for driving and motorists must start being vigilant about safety,” said MEMA Director Fitzgerald. “I was particularly concerned by some of the images of vehicles driving and people wading through flooded waters reported during the last storm. Citizens should never attempt to walk, swim or drive on or through flooded roadways.”
“Never underestimate the dangers of flood water,” said Governor LePage. “It is impossible to tell the exact depth of water covering a flooded roadway or the condition of the road below the water. Always look for an alternate route.”

Information on Hurricanes, Tropical Storms and Tornadoes from the National Weather Service

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS DECLARED THE WEEK OF JULY
20TH THROUGH 24TH, HURRICANE AWARENESS WEEK IN NEW ENGLAND.
THIS IS THE FIFTH IN A SERIES OF FIVE PUBLIC INFORMATION
STATEMENTS TO BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
OFFICE IN GRAY, CONTAINING INFORMATION ON HURRICANES AND
HURRICANE SAFETY.

FRIDAY - THE FORECAST PROCESS--STATEMENTS, WATCHES, AND
WARNINGS

ONE PART OF THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
(NWS) IS TO SAVE LIVES AND PROTECT PROPERTY BY ISSUING
WATCHES, WARNINGS, FORECASTS, STATEMENTS, AND OTHER
PERTINENT INFORMATION. THESE PRODUCTS ARE USED BY
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE PERSONNEL, BROADCAST
METEOROLOGISTS, AND THE PUBLIC.

DURING HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS, THE NATIONAL
HURRICANE CENTER AND LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES
ACROSS THE COUNTRY SHARE IN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR
PROVIDING CRITICAL WEATHER INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC. TO
DO SO, THE HURRICANE CENTER AND LOCAL OFFICES CLOSELY
COORDINATE ON THE FORECAST, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CONSISTENT
INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC. CONSEQUENTLY, THE NORMAL ZONE
FORECASTS MAY BE DELAYED DURING THESE SITUATIONS.

TO MAKE ACCURATE FORECASTS, FORECASTERS RELY ON A
COMBINATION OF OBSERVATIONS, ANALYSES, STATISTICS, AND
COMPUTER GENERATED GUIDANCE IN MAKING THEIR PREDICTIONS.

STANDARD OBSERVING EQUIPMENT SUCH AS SATELLITES, BUOYS, AND
LAND BASED OBSERVATIONS ARE ALL IMPORTANT IN LOCATING AND
TRACKING THE STORM. IN ADDITION, RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT
FLY THROUGH THE STORMS TO TAKE AND COLLECT SPECIAL
OBSERVATIONS AND TO DROP SPECIALIZED INSTRUMENTS CALLED
DROPSONDES INTO THE STORMS TO GATHER ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION. AS THESE STORMS APPROACH LAND, RADAR
OBSERVATIONS BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT. QUALITY,
QUANTITY, AND TIMELINESS OF REMOTE SENSING OBSERVATIONS ARE
CRITICAL FOR ACCURATE AND TIMELY FORECASTS AND WARNINGS.
ONCE THE OBSERVATIONS HAVE BEEN COLLECTED, THE DATA ARE
CHECKED FOR QUALITY, ANALYZED, AND USED AS THE STARTING
CONDITIONS FOR A VARIETY OF WEATHER PREDICTION MODELS.


THE WEATHER PREDICTION MODELS START WITH THE OBSERVED
CONDITIONS AND PERFORM MILLIONS OF CALCULATIONS TO GENERATE
PREDICTIONS OF THE HURRICANE TRACK AND INTENSITY AND OF THE
GENERAL CONDITIONS OF THE ATMOSPHERE SURROUNDING THE STORM.
BOTH THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AND LOCAL OFFICES
EVALUATE THESE COMPUTER PREDICTIONS, COORDINATE AND
COLLABORATE, AND DECIDE ON A CONSISTENT FORECAST TO BE
RELEASED TO THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC. ONCE THE
COORDINATION IS COMPLETE, BOTH THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AND THE LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR ISSUING A VARIETY OF FORECAST, WATCH, AND
WARNING PRODUCTS TO THE PUBLIC.

LIKE ALL WEATHER-RELATED THREATS, THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE RELIES ON A WATCH AND WARNING PROGRAM TO ALERT THE
PUBLIC TO THE POTENTIAL DANGERS FROM TROPICAL STORMS AND
HURRICANES.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH/HURRICANE WATCH IS ISSUED WHEN
TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE FORCE WINDS ARE POSSIBLE ALONG THE
COAST WITHIN 48 HOURS. IF YOU HAVEN T DONE SO PRIOR TO THE
ISSUANCE OF THE WATCH, IT S A GOOD TIME TO BEGIN
PREPARATIONS FOR THE POTENTIAL STORM, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE
ACTIONS THAT REQUIRE EXTRA TIME.

A TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN TROPICAL
STORM/HURRICANE FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED ALONG THE COAST
WITHIN 36 HOURS. ONCE THE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED, YOU
SHOULD COMPLETE ANY PREPARATORY ACTIONS AND GET TO A SAFE
LOCATION.

ONCE THE STORM ARRIVES, STAY IN THE SAFE LOCATION UNTIL THE
STORM HAS COMPLETELY PASSED. DON T BE FOOLED BY THE EYE OF
THE STORM, WHICH CAN MISLEAD PEOPLE INTO THINKING THAT THE
STORM IS OVER. WINDS AND RAIN WILL INCREASE RAPIDLY
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE EYE PASSES OVERHEAD.

WHILE THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER ISSUES HURRICANE AND
TROPICAL STORM WATCHES AND WARNINGS FOR THE COAST, THE
LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
ISSUING NUMEROUS WATCHES, WARNINGS, AND ADVISORIES FOR
VARIOUS LOCAL HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH OR PRECEDING THE
STORM, BOTH ALONG THE COAST AND INLAND. THESE INCLUDE:

COASTAL FLOOD
INLAND TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE
FLOOD
FLASH FLOOD
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM
TORNADO


WHILE ISSUED SEPARATELY, THESE WATCHES AND WARNINGS ARE
GENERALLY SUMMARIZED BY EACH LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
OFFICE IN HURRICANE LOCAL STATEMENTS. IN ADDITION, EACH
LOCAL OFFICE ISSUES A VARIETY OF FORECASTS AND INFORMATION
STATEMENTS DURING HURRICANES OR TROPICAL STORMS.

IN ADDITION TO TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE WATCHES AND
WARNINGS, THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AND THE TROPICAL
PREDICTION CENTER ISSUE NUMEROUS OTHER PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE
VERY USEFUL IN TRACKING AND ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS
FROM TROPICAL SYSTEMS. THESE INCLUDE:

EXPERIMENTAL STORM SURGE WATCHES AND WARNINGS
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOKS (ISSUED 4 TIMES DAILY FROM JUNE
1ST TO NOV. 30TH)
PUBLIC ADVISORIES (ISSUED EVERY 6 HOURS AS NEEDED)
INTERMEDIATE PUBLIC ADVISORIES (ISSUED EVERY 2 TO 3 HOURS
AS NEEDED)
FORECAST/ADVISORIES (ISSUED EVERY 6 HOURS AS NEEDED)
FORECAST DISCUSSIONS (ISSUED EVERY 6 HOURS AS NEEDED)
WIND SPEED PROBABILITY FORECASTS (ISSUED EVERY 6 HOURS AS
NEEDED)

QUESTION OF THE DAY: DURING WHICH MONTH ARE TROPICAL
STORMS MOST LIKELY TO DEVELOP?

WHILE THE FREQUENCY OF TROPICAL STORMS INCREASES IN JULY,
THE MOST ACTIVE PART OF THE ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON RUNS
BETWEEN AUGUST 1 AND OCTOBER 31. ACCORDING TO THE
HISTORICAL RECORD FROM 1886 TO 1997, THE PEAK MONTH FOR
TROPICAL STORM ACTIVITY IS SEPTEMBER. BELOW IS THE
PERCENTAGE OF THE STORMS THAT DEVELOPED IN EACH MONTH.

MONTH PERCENTAGE OF STORMS
MAY 1%
JUNE 6%
JULY 8%
AUGUST 24%
SEPTEMBER 34%
OCTOBER 21%
NOVEMBER 5%
DECEMBER 1%

FACT FOR THE DAY: IN 2006, THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
BEGAN ISSUING PUBLIC FORECAST OF WIND PROBABILITIES FOR
VARIOUS LOCATIONS ALONG THE COAST. THESE NUMBERS ARE
GENERATED STATISTICALLY, AND DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY IN
FORECASTING THE TRACK AND INTENSITY, THE NUMBERS MAY SEEM
RATHER LOW, ESPECIALLY DAYS BEFORE LANDFALL. DON T BE
FOOLED BY THE LOW PROBABILITIES; EVEN THOUGH YOUR
PROBABILITY IS LOW, YOU MAY BE IN THE AREA MOST LIKELY TO
BE HIT BY THE STORM.

HERE S A LIST OF TOPICS THAT WERE COVERED EARLIER THIS
WEEK:


MONDAY - TROPICAL CYCLONES, TROPICAL STORMS, AND
HURRICANES- THE BASICS
TUESDAY - HURRICANE WINDS AND TORNADOES
WEDNESDAY - STORM SURGE AND MARINE SAFETY
THURSDAY - INLAND FLOODING

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES AND HURRICANE
SAFETY, VISIT THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER S WEB SITE AT:

HTTP://WWW.NHC.NOAA.GOV/

National Weather Service in Gray, Maine Releases Lightning Safety Information.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
0600 AM EDT FRI JUN 26 2015

LIGHTNING (from Wikipedia)
Lightning is a sudden electrostatic discharge during an electrical storm between electrically charged regions of a cloud (called intra-cloud lightning or IC), between that cloud and another cloud (CC lightning), or between a cloud and the ground (CG lightning).


THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS DECLARED THE WEEK OF JUNE
21ST THROUGH 27TH, LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK. THIS
IS THE LAST IN A SERIES OF FIVE PUBLIC INFORMATION
STATEMENTS TO BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
OFFICE IN GRAY, ME CONTAINING INFORMATION ON LIGHTNING AND
LIGHTNING SAFETY.

LIGHTNING SAFETY AROUND THE HOME

ALTHOUGH HOUSES AND OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUILDING OFFER THE
BEST PROTECTION FROM LIGHTNING, EACH YEAR MANY HOMES ACROSS
THE UNITED STATES ARE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. IN FACT, ON
AVERAGE, LIGHTNING CAUSES ABOUT 4400 HOUSE FIRES AND 1800
OTHER STRUCTURAL FIRES EACH YEAR, SOME OF WHICH ARE DEADLY.
ALL TOTALED, LIGHTNING CAUSES NEARLY $1 BILLION IN DAMAGES
EACH YEAR.

THERE ARE THREE MAIN WAYS LIGHTNING ENTERS HOMES AND
BUILDINGS: (1) A DIRECT STRIKE, (2) THROUGH WIRES OR PIPES
THAT EXTEND OUTSIDE THE STRUCTURE, AND (3) THROUGH THE
GROUND. REGARDLESS OF THE METHOD OF ENTRANCE, ONCE IN A
STRUCTURE, THE LIGHTNING CAN TRAVEL THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL
AND PHONE WIRES, THE PLUMBING, AND/OR RADIO AND TELEVISION
RECEPTION SYSTEMS.

INDOOR SAFETY DEPENDS ON AVOIDING CONTACT WITH ITEMS THAT
COULD CONDUCT LIGHTNING WITHIN THE HOME. HERE ARE SOME
INDOOR SAFETY TIPS TO FOLLOW WHEN A THUNDERSTORM IS IN THE
AREA.


1. DON'T TOUCH ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT OR CORDS. IF YOU PLAN TO
UNPLUG ANY ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, DO SO WELL BEFORE THE
STORM ARRIVES.
2. STAY OFF CORDED PHONES.
3. AVOID CONTACT WITH PLUMBING. DO NOT WASH YOUR HANDS, TAKE
A SHOWER, WASH DISHES, OR DO LAUNDRY.
4. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS, AND STAY OFF PORCHES.


IN CASE YOUR HOME IS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING:

* EVACUATE YOUR HOME IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SMELL SMOKE AND
CALL 911.
* CALL YOUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND, IF POSSIBLE, HAVE
THEM CHECK FOR HOT SPOTS IN YOUR WALLS WITH THERMAL
IMAGING EQUIPMENT.
* MAKE SURE ALL SMOKE DETECTORS ARE POWERED AND
OPERATING PROPERLY.
* IF NEEDED, HAVE A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN CHECK THE
WIRING IN YOUR HOME

LIGHTNING QUESTION OF THE DAY: WHAT ARE LIGHTNING RODS AND HOW
DO THEY WORK?

LIGHTNING RODS PROTECT A HOME FROM A DIRECT LIGHTNING STRIKE,
BUT THEY DO NOT PREVENT A HOME FROM BEING STRUCK. THEY ARE
DESIGNED TO INTERCEPT LIGHTNING, TO PROVIDE A CONDUCTIVE PATH
FOR THE HARMFUL ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE TO FOLLOW, AND TO DISPERSE
THE ENERGY SAFELY INTO THE GROUND. WHILE LIGHTNING RODS HELP
PROTECT A STRUCTURE FROM A DIRECT LIGHTNING STRIKE, A COMPLETE
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM IS NEEDED TO HELP PREVENT HARMFUL
ELECTRICAL SURGES AND POSSIBLE FIRES CAUSED BY LIGHTNING
ENTERING A STRUCTURE VIA WIRES AND PIPES. LIGHTNING PROTECTION
SYSTEMS SHOULD BE PURCHASED FROM AND INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SPECIALIST.


HERE'S A LIST OF TOPICS THAT WERE COVERED EARLIER THIS.

MONDAY - LIGHTNING AND LIGHTNING SAFETY - AN INTRODUCTION
TUESDAY - LIGHTNING'S MOST DEADLY ACTIVITIES
WEDNESDAY - LIGHTNING SAFETY AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES
THURSDAY - LIGHTNING SAFETY AT WORK

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT LIGHTNING OR LIGHTNING
SAFETY, VISIT NOAA'S LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEB SITE
AT:

HTTP://WWW.LIGHTNINGSAFETY.NOAA.GOV

National Weather Service Provides Safety Information During Tornadoes and Severe Storms

 

Photo courtesy of Google Images. F1 Tornado forming near Phippsburg Maine in 2005

While we don't usually think of Maine as tornado alley, there are some pretty frightening storms that can happen here in our area.
Maine's tornadic activity seems to be increasing over the years, but in reality, we've had these storms all along. We hear about them more with today's media advancements, and they're more widely recognized as tornadoes rather than just wind storms with the newer meteorological equipment.
Do YOU know what to do in a tornado or severe electrical storm??
The Summer Storm Season is upon us!!
Take a moment to read the National Weather Service's tips and guides for preparing for weather emergencies!!

 

Tornadoes

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Tornadoes are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. Tornadoes can occur at any time of day or night and at any time of the year. Although tornadoes are most common in the Central Plains and southeastern United States, they have been reported in all 50 states. This website is designed to teach you how to stay safe in a tornado. If you know what to do before, during, and after a tornado you can increase your chances of survival. You'll also find links to research, past events and other topics of interest. Download our free Thunderstorms, Lightning and Tornado booklet for more information.

Severe Thunderstorms

A thunderstorm is considered severe if it produces hail at least 1 inch in diameter or has wind gusts of at least 58 miles per hour. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people some years than tornadoes or hurricanes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding. High winds can damage homes and blow down trees and utility poles, causing widespread power outages. Every year people are killed or seriously injured because they didn't hear or ignored severe thunderstorms warnings. The information in this section, combined with timely watches and warnings about severe weather, could save your life.

• Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind.
• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. If thunder roars, go indoors! Don't wait for rain. Lightning can strike out of a clear blue sky. Learn more about lightning safety.
• Avoid electrical equipment and corded telephones. Cordless phones, cell phones and other wireless handheld devices are safe to use.
• Keep away from windows.
• If you are driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends.
• If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground; water; tall, isolated trees; and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are NOT safe.

Lightning and Flood Threats

While much of the focus during severe weather is on tornadoes, wind and hail, there are actually more deaths caused each year by flooding and lightning, which are also commonly associated with severe weather. If you hear thunder or see lightning, head inside immediately! When Thunder Roars Go Indoors! Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms can quickly cause rivers and streams to overrun their banks and cause street flooding in cities. Remember, if you encounter a flooded roadway, do NOT drive or walk into it. Turn Around Don’t Drown! Visit weather.gov/lightningsafety and weather.gov/floodsafety for more safety tips and information.

United States National Weather Serivice Announces 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season Storm Names.

National Weather Service Announces

2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season Names!!

 

From Ana to Wanda with Fred, Nicholas and Teresa in between!!