Don't Get Served by Severe Weather

Even if you check the forecast and plan ahead, severe weather -- including flash flooding, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and high winds -- can strike at any time. If severe weather occurs, don't get served: win the battle by staying informed. Get emergency alerts and updates through such channels as Notify NYC and NYC.gov/SevereWeather so you can get information when you need it most.
Sign up for Notify NYC
Visit the NYC Severe Weather Website
Read the Tip of the Week online

Prepare for Tornadoes

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week 3/30/15: Prepare your business for tornadoes by assessing and updating your preparedness program goals.

Don't Be Torn by Tornadoes

Tornadoes happen less frequently in New York City than in the Midwest, but the tornado that occurred seven years ago this week is a reminder that even New Yorkers need to be ready. Take time to prepare by learning about danger signs and planning accordingly.
Learn about tornadoes and how you can prepare
Learn more about making a disaster plan
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online

Monitor Weather Radio

FEMA Private Sector Resilience Tip of the Week: Purchase an office weather radio, monitor local warnings, and participate in tornado drills to protect your staff.

Tornado Safe Room

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week 3/31/14: Tornados can strike anywhere in the country. Learn how to build a safe room in your building. http://go.usa.gov/KJEH

National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week 3/3/14: Use online tools to prepare your organization and staff for all hazards during National Severe Weather Preparedness week. http://go.usa.gov/KxVk

Tornado Preparations

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week 2/24/14: Encourage staff to prepare for tornadoes by discussing evacuation plans, shelter-in-place locations and listen to weather alerts and warnings. http://go.usa.gov/Be9B

Subscribe to receive alerts during disasters in your state.

Don'’t Get Your Tornado Facts Twisted

Did you know that tornadoes occur more frequently in the United States than anywhere else in the world? Several tornadoes have impacted New York City in recent years so it's important to know tornado danger signs, understand the difference between a "tornado watch" and a "tornado warning," and familiarize yourself with how to prepare for what to do following a tornado.
Learn more about tornadoes and New York City
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online

Reminders of Tornado and Shelter In Place

FEMA Private Sector Resilience Tip 5/20/13:  Update your employee newsletter with tornado warning signs, sheltering in place and office evacuation plans. http://go.usa.gov/ThAd.

Subscribe to receive alerts during disasters in your state.

Don't Let the Weather Ruffle Your Feathers

On average, the National Weather Service issues 400 severe thunderstorm warnings, 17 tornado warnings, and about 150 flash flood warnings each year in New York state. During Severe Weather Awareness Week, we're reminded of the importance of practicing how to take shelter before tornadoes, thunderstorms, or flash floods strike. Severe weather can come with little or no warning, and cause serious injury, damage, and disruptions. While you can't control the weather, you can plan ahead so that you're not caught off guard.

Read more about severe weather
Read the Tip of the Week online

Tornado Awareness and Online Resources

Tip of the Week 3/12/12: Publish tornado awareness steps in your employee newsletters and intranet web sites. www.ready.gov/tornadoes

Online resources:

Emergency Management Institute Independent Study Courses:

• IS-394 - Protecting Your Small Business From Disasters - http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS394A.asp
• IS-36 - Multihazard Planning for Childcare - http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is36.asp  
• IS-10 - Animals in Disasters, Awareness and Preparedness - http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is10a.asp
• IS-910 - Emergency Management Preparedness Fundamentals - http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is910.asp  
• IS-660 - Introduction to Public Private Partnerships Online course – http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is660.asp 

For more information regarding the Emergency Management Institute’s Independent Study Courses, visit their website: http://training.fema.gov/IS/.

Visit us on the web at www.fema.gov/privatesector, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

Shelter in Place

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week 5/31/11: Practice your organization's shelter in place plan and use a weather radio to keep employees informed during tornado conditions. www.fema.gov/hazard/tornado/to_during.shtm.

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FEMA · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20472

Online Tornado Tools

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week 5/23/11: Teachers and students can learn about “Tornado Alley” and the science of tornadoes using online tools.  readyclassroom.discoveryeducation.com/#/condition/7.

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FEMA · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20472

Get Low During Tornadoes

Tornadoes mostly occur during the spring and summer months and usually follow powerful thunderstorms. Because they can strike at any time, with little warning, knowing how and where to quickly take shelter is important. If your area is under a tornado warning, get inside and go to the lowest building level possible. If there is no basement, move to an inner room, like a closet or hallway. Keep away from windows and doors. Learn more about tornado preparedness Learn how to help those affected by recent tornadoes Read the Tip of the Week online

Be Lightning Safe

During the past 30 years, lightning has killed more people per year than tornadoes or hurricanes. This week is Lightning Safety Week and OEM reminds you to take steps to keep safe indoors as well as out. Avoid bathing, washing dishes, or running water for any reason during a thunderstorm as lightning can travel through metal pipes and into the home. If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance; seek shelter immediately.

Prepare for Tornadoes

Tip of the Week 06/21/10: Create and practice your organization's shelter in place plan with employees to prepare for tornadoes. www.ready.gov/business/plan/shelterplan.html.
FEMA · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20472

Shelter in Place in a Safe Space

On August 8, 2007, a tornado ripped through Brooklyn uprooting trees and causing severe damage to buildings. This week, OEM reminds New Yorkers to find a safe spot in a basement or a small interior room or hallway with no windows to shelter in place during a disaster. Some emergencies, like tornadoes, happen quickly and the best plan is to wait them out some place safe. Learn more about tornado safety See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

Be Severely Aware of Weather Hazards

Spring is upon us and with it comes severe weather, like tornadoes, flooding, and thunderstorms. Appropriately, this week is Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York. Every year, New York experiences severe weather. Last August, a thunderstorm spawned a tornado that blasted through nine miles of Brooklyn. Trees snapped and fell to the ground, roofs peeled off buildings, and cars were destroyed. Extreme flooding throughout the city also stranded commuters. Take some time this week to learn to prepare for weather emergencies. Learn more about severe weather in NYC Read about the August 2007 tornado Read OEM Tip of the Week online

DON'T LET TORNADOES GET YOU TWISTED

Thanks to current events, New Yorkers know that tornadoes can impact New York City. But do YOU know what to do if a tornado approaches your home? Tornadoes are typically spawned by powerful thunderstorms, and most tornado-related damage results from sheer wind speed and wind-blown debris, as well as large hail. If you see an approaching tornado: Go to your basement or the lowest point of your residence. If an underground shelter is not available, move to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Stay away from windows. Do not try to outrun a tornado in a car. Instead, leave your vehicle and find shelter immediately. Learn more about tornado safety Read about New York City Hazards Read the Tip of the Week online