South Precinct Email Community Newsletter October 17, 2007

Dear Community Friends;
Emergency Preparedness

The Puget Sound region is one of the more difficult areas to forecast severe weather due to the local topography. Everyone should be prepared if wind gusts are higher than anticipated. The Seattle National Weather Service Forecast Office will continue to monitor the evolution of this storm and issue further information as it develops. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or visit www.weather.gov/seattle
http://www.weather.gov/seattle to view the latest weather statements and forecast discussions regarding this impending storm.


Safety

- Please exercise caution when going out doors during a storm.
Downed power lines, objects in the road and fallen trees are not easy to spot at night.

- Treat all power lines as an electrical hazard until rendered safe by your electrical utility. In Seattle, contact Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light at 206.684.3000 to report power outages and/or downed power lines.

- Ground saturation from previous rain and snow has increased the risk of landslides; please use caution near undeveloped hillsides. Trees may also be more prone to fall in high winds when the ground is saturated.

- Do not use gas generators or charcoal heaters indoors. The potential for carbon monoxide poisoning is high. In previous years, use of these devices indoors for heating and power generation resulted in injuries and fatalities.

Personal Preparedness The Seattle Office of Emergency Management offers skills training classes in the areas of Disaster First Aid, Light Search & Rescue Training and Fire Extinguisher and Utility Safety among others. Additionally, this office provides training in SNAP - Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare. A follow-on to the Seattle Disaster Aid and Response Team (SDART) program, SNAP is the newest preparedness program being offered by the City of Seattle. The program is offered throughout the city to help you, your family and your neighborhoods become better prepared for the next disaster. Learn how to put together a disaster supplies kit, create a family disaster plan and organize with your neighbors to take care of each other when disaster strikes.
For more information about SNAP and the other emergency preparedness training offered, contact the Public Education Section of the Seattle Office of Emergency Management at 206-233-7123. Also visit their website at

www.seattle.gov/emergency.

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!

Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator