7.03 Severe Weather and Emergency Response—Derrer Road

Tornadoes

There are two types of tornado alert conditions:

• Tornado Watch:  Conditions are right for strong thunderstorms, hail, high winds and tornadoes.  Be prepared to take shelter and keep informed of the latest storm conditions.
• Tornado Warning:  A tornado warning is issued when a funnel cloud or tornado has been sighted. In Franklin County, sirens will sound when a tornado warning is issued.  The siren is a steady 3 minute loud wailing tone, followed by a voice message in all directions for 2 minutes, then the cycle is repeated until the warning is over. TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY.

If the condition is a Tornado Watch:

1. The staff member carrying the scheduling phone or incident hotline will alert Derrer Road of any time there is a warning or watch. Additionally, a weather radio is at the home to notify staff.
2. Staff will keep radios and televisions turned on and watch for broadcasts by the National Weather Service regarding tornado watches, warnings and “All Clear” announcements.
3. Staff should ensure that individuals gather in home or be aware of their whereabouts on grounds.
4. Windows should be shut and sills should be free of items.
5. Staff shall apply good judgment and common sense in allowing any of their individuals outside during the watch.
6. When an “All Clear” weather broadcast is issued, the scheduling phone will call all staff and individuals to return to normal operation.

If the condition is a Tornado Warning:

1. The staff member carrying the scheduling phone or incident hotline will alert Derrer Road of any time there is a warning or watch. Additionally, a weather radio is at the home to notify staff.
   NOTE: Tornado Warning Sirens are sounded in Franklin County to alert the community of a Tornado Warning. The siren is a steady 3 minute loud wailing tone, followed by a voice message in all directions for 2 minutes, then the cycle is repeated until the warning is over. TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY.
2. All doors and drapes should be shut.
3. All hallways and windowsills should be cleared.
4. Staff should take a flashlight and weather radio with them.
5. Employees and staff should go to the Tornado safe spot in interior bathroom or laundry area indicated by blue T on emergency plan.
6. When an “All Clear” weather broadcast is issued, the scheduling phone will call staff to return to normal operation.
7. On the Road-The least desirable place to be during a tornado is in a motor vehicle. Cars, buses, and trucks are easily tossed by tornado winds.

DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO IN YOUR CAR.
If while driving, you hear a tornado warning in the area you are in, safely stop the car/van and seek a safe shelter, if possible in a sturdy building. If no safe building is available, stop your vehicle and get out. Do not get under your vehicle. Follow the directions for seeking shelter outdoors (see next section).

Outdoors

If you are caught outside during a tornado and there is no adequate shelter immediately available—

If the condition is a Tornado Warning con’t

• Avoid areas with many trees.
• Avoid protection under bridges.
• Lie face down in a gully, ditch, or low spot on the ground.
• Protect you head with an object or with your arms.
• Stay clear of power lines.
• DO NOT LEAVE INDIVIDUAL(S) UNATTENDED

If you are at the individuals’ workshop, follow the workshops’ instructions.  Stay away from large areas of glass and rooms with large ceilings.

Winter Storms

A winter storm WATCH alerts the public to the potential for blizzard conditions, heavy snow, significant icing or a combination of these events. Watches are usually issued 12 to 36 hours before the beginning of the winter storm. When a winter storm watch is issued:

1. Listen to the weather radio, local radio, TV stations or Cable TV such as the Weather Channel for further updates.
2. Be alert to changing weather conditions.
3. Avoid unnecessary travel.

A winter storm WARNING is issued when a combination of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain or heavy sleet is expected to occur. Winter storm warnings are usually issued 6 to 24 hours before the event is expected. When a winter storm warning is issued:

1. Stay indoors during the storm.
2. If staff and individuals must go outside, several layers of lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves, or mittens, and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
3. Do not travel in vehicles.

A blizzard WARNING is issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 m.p.h. or more and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities below ¼ mile. These conditions should persist for at least three hours. SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

BE PREPARED FOR WINTER STORMS:

Floods and Flash Floods

A. Flood – The condition that occurs when water overflows the natural or artificial confines of a stream or body of water, or accumulates by drainage over low lying areas.

1. A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
2. A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.

Flash Flood – A flood that rises and falls quite rapidly. Flash floods occur as the result of intense rainfall over a relatively small area in a short period of time.

1. A flash flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
2. A flash flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur very soon.

During a Flood or Flash Flood Warning:

• If indoors, turn on the battery-operated weather radio to get the latest emergency information and if told to leave, do so immediately. If the facility needs to evacuate, policy 7.15 Whole Facility Evacuation and/or policy 7.16 Emergency Preparedness plan will be followed.
• If outdoors, climb to high ground and stay there; avoid walking through any flood waters.
• If in a car and you approach a flooded area, turn around and go the other way. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
• If storm drainage water is seeping under the apartment’s doors, place towels at the bottom of the door and call maintenance.
• Maintain the weather radio.
• Encourage individuals to stay indoors.
• Carefully evaluate travel plans.

Extreme Heat

• Heat Wave: Prolonged period 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. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
• Heat Exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, 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 may suffer 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 is the body is not cooled quickly.
• Sunstroke: Another term for heat stroke.

If a heat wave is predicted or happening:

• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00am and 7:00am.
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Wear lightweight, light colored clothing.
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often.
• Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Water is the safety liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid food that are high in protein, which increase the metabolic heat.

Signal of Heat Emergencies

• Heat exhaustion: Cool moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea and vomiting; dizziness and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
• Heat Stroke: Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness, rapid weak pulse and rapid shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high – as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise skin may be wet; otherwise it will feel dry.

Hot weather precautions for Individuals:

In order to provide a safe environment for our individuals during the summer months, the following protocol will be followed:

It is recommended that apartment thermostats be set between 74°-76° F during the air conditioning season.  Extreme heat is identified as temperatures anywhere in the apartment exceeding 81°.  Apartment temperatures exceeding 81° require that the apartment staff.:

• Contact the Maintenance Department who will initiate air conditioning repairs.
• Install fans to increase air movement in the apartment.
• Provide individuals with extra fluids.
• Contact the nurse regarding adverse individual reactions.
• Monitor and document adverse individuals reactions.

Prolonged heat (more than two hours) may require:

• Transfer of individuals to another Open Door site temporarily
• Transfer to Doctor’s Hospital West for individuals who require hospitalization because of the adverse effects of extreme heat.
• Individual conditions that are likely to be activated and/or heightened because of extreme heat are referred to in the individual’s care plan.  Staff members are required to be familiar with the needs of the individuals in their care.
• In the event that the facility would have to be evacuated, policy 7.15 Whole Facility Evacuation Plan and/or 7.16 Emergency Preparedness Plan will be followed.

Sun Protection/Extreme Heat:

• Many individuals are either on medication that increases their sensitivity to sunburn or are sensitive to sunburn because of their complexion.  Therefore, all individuals should be assisted with the use of sunscreen whenever they will be outside more than a few minutes.  Sun block No.30 is recommended.
• During the hot summer months, extra water and juices will be provided for all individuals.
• Staff should monitor for symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

 Attending Workshops:

Individuals not transported in air conditioned vehicles will be encouraged to remain home with a predicted heat index of 88° (95° and 5% humidity, 90° and 25% humidity, 80° and 90% humidity).  Scheduling phone will make arrangements to transport those who refuse to stay home by utilizing the facility air conditioned vehicles.

 At a predicted heat index of 98° (95° & 35% humidity and 90° & 55% humidity) individuals will be discouraged from riding county buses to workshops.  If individuals demand to attend day program, Open Door will make every attempt to transport them to and from the program.

If temperature is greater than 95°, no one will be permitted to attend day programs, unless an air-conditioned vehicle is used for transportation and the air conditioning at the workshop is operational.

Last Revised: 3/23/23