One Day It Will Rain Again...When It Does, Be Ready

2011 has thus far given us 0.68 inches of rainfall here in the Amarillo area, yep not much.  In fact the U.S. Drought Monitor recently released showed an exceptional drought in Texas, the worst in the 11 years local forecasters have tracked the data.  Although it's a bit hard to transition from wildfire safety into severe weather preparedness mode due to the lack of thunder lately, the tornado outbreaks in states out east remind us that severe weather could happen at any moment. 

The Amarillo/Potter/Randall Office of Emergency Management along with the Amarillo National Weather Service and local media partners have been busy with tornado walk throughs and disaster preparedness talks with various organziations, schools, and businesses throughout the area.  We want to make sure you and your family have multiple means to receive warning - weather it be for a tornado, severe weather, hazardous material spill, or wildfires.  Getting warned and knowing where to go is half the battle. 

WAYS TO RECEIVE WARNING

• All Hazards NOAA Radio - the #1 method of getting warned. Program it to Potter/Randall County for automatic tone alert when threating conditions strike. Make sure to have a battery backup in case electricity goes out.
• Cable Cut In - OEM has the ability to transmit alerts to broadcast over some cable TV channels in our area.
• EAS - EAS sends out alerts to broadcast media, cable television, radio stations, satellites, pagers, Direct Broadcast Satellite, High Definition Television, Video Dial Tone, and to devices for the needs of special populations such as the deaf and those with special language requirements.
• Reverse 911 Systems - A variety of services exist (some with a monthly fee) where you can register your home phone and/or cell phone to receive warnings.
• Socal Media/Email/Smart Phone Applications - Follow/Friend/Subscribe with NWS and local media partners to stay alert of changing weather conditions.
• Local Media - Local TV and radio stations provide the public information of where storms are developing, warnings issued, and visual feedback of what is going on.
• Outdoor Warning Systems - OEM currently operates 89 sirens designed to alert people who are outdoors of a potential emergency in the community.