Weather and Natural Disaster Alert Info

Well, better late than never for this weather blog. Hope you can use some info now or in the future. I have been following the weather for last few days and listening to all the weather alerts just like everyone else. As Hurricane Irene bears down on the northeast, it becomes more and more of a reality and the strike zones have been pin pointed quite accurately along the eastern seaboard. Although it has been decreased to a tropical storm in the Boston area, we could still have torrential rain and high wind gusts and flooding, so be safe and keep alert.
I have been looking on the internet for weather related information and have accumulated a few interesting web sites that maybe helpful now and in the future when other disasters occur. Recently we have experienced earthquakes and now a hurricane unlike what we have seen for 25 years. Just click on the web sites below for further info.

The NOAA web site listed below with the image shown at left top, shows some wind gust possibilities for the Boston area. They predict that the wind gust speed should be at its highest about 2PM on Sunday afternoon and approach 70 mph. The web site is interactive and you can get different kinds of weather maps. It’s a Great resource. Try it.

I also got a great portable radio as a gift once that works with battery, solar and crank up. It can get NOAA weather alerts, FM, AM, and SW. It’s a Voyager Radio and sells for about $49 on Amazon.com.

Safety Tips:

Like everyone else, I have done some preparation for the hurricane and have made a list below for your information.
1. Clear all loose items around the yard that might fly around in the wind and cause damage.
2. Make sure you have an emergency kit with essential supplies in case the lights go out and there is no power for a few days or longer. (first aid kit, tape, flashlight, extra batteries, candles, matches, can food, can opener, water, battery powered radio, sanitation and personal hygiene items, copies of personal documents, extra cash, maps of area, cell phone with charges (home and car), multipurpose tool, medications, medical information, emergency blankets, towels and other personal items.
3. Make an emergency plan with contact phone numbers to reach help or relatives and a place to meet if you are separated from family.
4. Get enough gasoline for the car and emergency generator. There won’t be any after the storm if the electric pumps don’t work.

Reference Web Sites
Voyager Radio at Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Kaito-Electronics-KA500GRN-Voyager-Emergency/dp/B001EUG3II/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314456945&sr=8-1

Emergency Contact Card

http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/ECCard.pdf

Red Cross Make A Plan

http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/Be_Red_Cross_Ready.pdf

Emergency Evacuation Map- Mapquest.com (Draw an evacuation route on the map.)

http://www.mapquest.com/

Hurricane Tracking Map – Saturday 12 noon – (8-27-11)

http://weather.boston.cbslocal.com/tropical/tracking/at201109.html

Graphical Probability Weather Map – National Weather Service -NOAA

http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors/massachusettsLoop.php#tabs

Comments always welcome:  markryan82@comcast.net