[BNAWX] Public Information Statement

[EMWIN Server]

NOUS44 KOHX 042131
PNSOHX
TNZ005>011-022>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-051545-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
430 PM CDT TUE MAY 4 2010

...POST FLOOD SAFETY INFORMATION...

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED BY THE TENNESSEE EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY.  FOR MORE INFORMATION CHECK TEMA'S WEBSITE AT
WWW.TNEMA.ORG

GENERAL TIPS...

DON'T RETURN TO YOUR FLOOD-DAMAGED HOME BEFORE THE AREA IS DECLARED
TO BE SAFE BY LOCAL OFFICIALS. RETURNING HOME CAN BE BOTH PHYSICALLY
AND MENTALLY CHALLENGING. ABOVE ALL, USE CAUTION.

* KEEP A BATTERY-POWERED RADIO WITH YOU SO YOU CAN LISTEN FOR
EMERGENCY UPDATES AND NEWS REPORTS.

* KEEP A NOAA ALL-HAZARDS WEATHER RADIO WITH YOU TO MONITOR WEATHER
CONDITIONS.

* USE A BATTERY-POWERED FLASH LIGHT TO INSPECT A DAMAGED HOME.
NOTE: THE FLASHLIGHT SHOULD BE TURNED ON OUTSIDE BEFORE ENTERING THE
BATTERY MAY PRODUCE A SPARK THAT COULD IGNITE LEAKING GAS, IF
PRESENT.

* WATCH OUT FOR ANIMALS, ESPECIALLY POISONOUS SNAKES.  USE A STICK
TO POKE THROUGH DEBRIS.

* STAY OFF THE STREETS. IF YOU MUST GO OUT, WATCH FOR FALLEN
OBJECTS; DOWNED ELECTRICAL WIRES; AND WEAKENED WALLS, BRIDGES,
ROADS, AND SIDEWALKS.

BEFORE YOU ENTER YOUR HOME...

WALK CAREFULLY AROUND THE OUTSIDE AND CHECK FOR LOOSE POWER LINES,
GAS LEAKS, AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT
SAFETY, HAVE YOUR RESIDENCE INSPECTED BY A QUALIFIED BUILDING
INSPECTOR OR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER BEFORE ENTERING.

DO NOT ENTER IF...

* YOU SMELL GAS.
* FLOODWATERS REMAIN AROUND THE BUILDING.
* YOUR HOME WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE AND THE AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT
DECLARED IT SAFE.

GOING INSIDE YOUR HOME

WHEN YOU GO INSIDE YOUR HOME, THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS YOU SHOULD
AND SHOULD NOT DO. ENTER THE HOME CAREFULLY AND CHECK FOR DAMAGE. BE
AWARE OF LOOSE BOARDS AND SLIPPERY FLOORS. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE
OTHER THINGS TO CHECK INSIDE YOUR HOME:

* NATURAL GAS. IF YOU SMELL GAS OR HEAR A HISSING OR BLOWING SOUND,
OPEN A WINDOW AND LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. TURN OFF THE MAIN GAS VALVE
FROM THE OUTSIDE, IF YOU CAN. CALL THE GAS COMPANY FROM A NEIGHBORS
RESIDENCE. IF YOU SHUT OFF THE GAS SUPPLY AT THE MAIN VALVE, YOU
WILL NEED A PROFESSIONAL TO TURN IT BACK ON. DO NOT SMOKE OR USE
OIL, GAS LANTERNS, CANDLES, OR TORCHES FOR LIGHTING INSIDE A DAMAGED
HOME UNTIL YOU ARE SURE THERE IS NO LEAKING GAS OR OTHER FLAMMABLE
MATERIALS PRESENT.

* SPARKS, BROKEN OR FRAYED WIRES. CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNLESS
YOU ARE WET, STANDING IN WATER, OR UNSURE OF YOUR SAFETY. IF
POSSIBLE, TURN OFF THE ELECTRICITY AT THE MAIN FUSE BOX OR CIRCUIT
BREAKER. IF THE SITUATION IS UNSAFE, LEAVE THE BUILDING AND CALL FOR
HELP. DO NOT TURN ON THE LIGHTS UNTIL YOU ARE SURE THEYRE SAFE TO
USE. YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE AN ELECTRICIAN INSPECT YOUR WIRING.

* ROOF, FOUNDATION, AND CHIMNEY CRACKS. IF IT LOOKS LIKE THE
BUILDING MAY COLLAPSE, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.

* APPLIANCES. IF APPLIANCES ARE WET, TURN OFF THE ELECTRICITY AT THE
MAIN FUSE BOX OR CIRCUIT BREAKER. THEN, UNPLUG APPLIANCES AND LET
THEM DRY OUT. HAVE APPLIANCES CHECKED BY A PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING
THEM AGAIN. ALSO, HAVE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED BY AN
ELECTRICIAN BEFORE TURNING THE POWER BACK ON.

* WATER AND SEWAGE SYSTEMS. IF PIPES ARE DAMAGED, TURN OFF THE MAIN
WATER VALVE. CHECK WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES BEFORE USING ANY WATER;
THE WATER COULD BE CONTAMINATED. PUMP OUT WELLS AND HAVE THE WATER
TESTED BY AUTHORITIES BEFORE DRINKING. DO NOT FLUSH TOILETS UNTIL
YOU KNOW THAT SEWAGE LINES ARE INTACT.

* FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES. THROW OUT ALL FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES
THAT YOU SUSPECT MAY HAVE BECOME CONTAMINATED OR COME IN TO CONTACT
WITH FLOODWATER. YOUR BASEMENT. IF YOUR BASEMENT HAS FLOODED, PUMP
IT OUT GRADUALLY (ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE WATER PER DAY) TO AVOID
DAMAGE. THE WALLS MAY COLLAPSE AND THE FLOOR MAY BUCKLE IF THE
BASEMENT IS PUMPED OUT WHILE THE SURROUNDING GROUND IS STILL
WATERLOGGED.

* CALL YOUR INSURANCE AGENT. TAKE PICTURES OF DAMAGES. KEEP GOOD
RECORDS OF REPAIR AND CLEANING COSTS.

$$
JOHNSTONE





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