Share:

This week is Minnesota’s Severe Weather Awareness Week

As a home care nurse it is important to know your client and their family’s plan in the event of a Severe Weather Event. 

  • Review their Emergency Plan
  • Have a check list so you remember specific steps to take 
  • Know where back up supplies are located
  • Does your client have a back up power source and how does it work?

These items among others are important to continue to deliver safe client care in the event that you are faced with a Severe Weather Event.

 

The National Weather Service defines below an Advisory, Watch, and Warning.  Knowing these can be potentially life saving.

Advisory

An advisory is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. Advisories are for less serious conditions than warnings that cause significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life or property.

 

Watch

A watch means weather conditions are favorable for dangerous weather to occur. In other words, a "watch" means watch out for what the weather could do, and be ready to act accordingly.  You may wish to alter or have a back-up plan for any outdoor activities or travel.

For events that come and go quickly, such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes or flash floods, a watch means that the odds are good for the dangerous weather, but it's not yet happening.

When a severe thunderstorm, tornado or flash flood watch is in effect, it means you should look for signs of dangerous weather and maintain access to the latest information.  Sometimes a severe thunderstorm, tornado or flash flood can happen so quickly that warnings can't be issued in time. 

 

Warning

For severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and flash floods, a warning means the weather event is imminent or occurring somewhere in the defined warning area and that people need to take shelter as soon as possible.  

Outdoor tornado warnings are normally given by sirens.  People indoors should listen to radios, TV or Weather Radio warnings to find out the latest information.  Depending on local policy, other types of weather warnings may also broadcast via sirens. Check with local emergency management officials to learn about local siren activations.

 

tracking