Texas Survey July 2025 - Flipbook - Page 27
SAFETY
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)- is FEMAs national system for
local alerting. It gives federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial public safety
agencies the ability to send WEAs, Emergency Alert System alerts, weather and nonweather-related emergency messages simultaneously through NOAA weather radios
and alerts through systems like sirens and digital billboards.
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR)- is a nationwide network of radio stations
that broadcast continuous weather information from the nearest National Weather
Service office based on your physical location. It broadcasts official warnings,
watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. NWR
also broadcasts alerts of non-weather emergencies such as national security or
public safety threats through the Emergency Alert System.
Emergency Alert System (EAS)- is a national warning system that allows the
President to address the nation within 10 minutes during a national emergency.
Other authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial alerting authorities may
also use the system to deliver important information such as weather information,
imminent threats, AMBER alerts and local incident information targeted to specific
areas.
FEMA Mobile App- allows you to receive real-time weather and emergency alerts,
send notifications to loved ones, locate emergency shelters in your area, get
preparedness strategies and more. It receives real-time weather and emergency
alerts from the National Weather Service for up to 5 locations nationwide. It finds a
nearby shelter if you need to evacuate to a safe space. It gets answers to your most
pressing questions, finds Disaster Recovery locations, and finds if your location is
eligible for FEMA assistance.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based upon the sustained wind speed of a hurricane, estimating potential property damage.
Hurricanes of Categories 1 and 2 are dangerous and require preparatory measures. Hurricanes in Category 3 and higher are major hurricanes due to the
potential for significant loss of life, flooding, and damage.
CATEGORY SUSTAINED WINDS TYPES OF DAMAGE DUE TO HURRICANE WINDS
1 74-95 mph Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl
siding, gutters. Large branches of trees will snap, shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines, poles likely will
result in power outages that could last up to several days.
2 96-110 mph Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. Well-constricted frame homes could sustain major roof, siding
damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loll is expected with outages
that could last from several days to weeks.
3 (Major) 111-129 mph Devastating damage will occur. Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and
gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after
the storm passes.
4 (Major) 130-156 mph Catastrophic damage will occur. Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of roof
structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen tree outages will isolate
residential areas. Power outage last weeks to possible months. Most of area will be uninhabitable for weeks to months.
5 (Major) 157 mph & higher Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and
wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeds to possibly months. Most of the
area will be inhabitable for weeks or months.
Prepare For Hurricanes
Know Your Hurricane Risk. Hurricanes are not only a coastal problem. Find out how rain, wind, water and even tornadoes could happen far inland from
where a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall.
Make an Emergency Plan. Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your hurricane plans. Include the office, kids’ daycare, and
anywhere else you go is in your hurricane plans. Ensure that your business has a continuity plan to continue operating when a disaster strikes.
25
