Take Winter by Storm

Weekend Weather: Storm Warning for September 28-29.  Take precautions to be prepared for power outages.

Emergency radio hand-crank courtesy of Angela Anderson via Ravenna Blog

Reports came in of people breaking out their hand-crankable emergency radios on Saturday evening to listen to the rest of the Husky football game.  Watch the Ravenna Blog for updates on power outage maps.

Thunder, lightning and heavy rainstorms remind us that winter is coming.  Preparations are needed for adverse weather and potential flooding.  Did you know that during intense rain, flooding may occur without warning?  Here are a few steps you can take to keep your family and property safe.

– Clear leaves and debris away from street drains in your neighborhood with a rake or broom – but stay on the curb, don’t stand in the street, for safety reasons.  Don’t put grass clippings, leaves, or other debris into drains, ditches, creeks, culverts, gutters or ravines.  If a storm drain appears blocked below the street surface, call 206-386-1800.

– Clean your house gutters and downspouts twice a year.

A home emergency kit

– Build a family emergency kit. Keep enough water, food and other supplies (flashlights, hand-crank-operated or battery-operated radio, blankets, prescription medicines, first aid supplies, out-of-state family phone contact to leave messages) in your home to meet your needs for at least three days.

– Have a family disaster plan. What will family members do and where will they be in case of an emergency such as an earthquake?  Tell children what to expect and how they can contact you.  Give them the phone number of an out-of-state family member or friend to leave messages and learn the whereabouts of one another.

– Protect water pipes from freezing in exposed or unheated areas (attics, basements and garages) by wrapping with tape and insulating materials.

For more tips on how to prepare for winter storms, visit the Winter Preparedness Website, Take Winter by Storm.